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Samuel L. Jackson

Respectfully labeled as one of the hardest working actors in Hollywood, Samuel L. Jackson is an undisputed star as demonstrated in the fact that his films have grossed the most money in box office sales than any other actor in the history of filmmaking.

Jackson made an indelible mark on American cinema with his portrayal of 'Jules,' the philosophizing hitman, in Quentin Tarantino's PULP FICTION. In addition to unanimous critical acclaim for his performance, he received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations as Best Supporting Actor as well as a Best Supporting Actor award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

Jackson recently made his Broadway debut at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theater in Katori Hall's The Mountaintop, co-starring Angela Bassett and directed by Kenny Leon. The Mountaintop is set on the eve of the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., whom Jackson portrays. The play ended its run on January 22, 2012.

Jackson has recently completed production on THE AVENGERS, which is one film in a multi-picture deal with Marvel Studios. The highly anticipated film will be released May 4, 2012.

Recently, Jackson was seen in HBO's The Sunset Limited, an adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's play. Tommy Lee Jones co-starred and directed the telefilm.

In September 2010, Jackson played P.K. Highsmith in Columbia Pictures' THE OTHER GUYS. Additionally, Jackson co-starred in the indie drama, MOTHER AND CHILD, directed by Rodrigo Garcia. He received an Image Award and an Independent Spirit Award nomination for his work. Jackson was also seen in Marvel's IRON MAN 2 as 'Nick Fury,' after making a surprise cameo appearance in IRON MAN in 2008. He reprised the role in CAPTAIN AMERICA in the summer of 2011.

Jackson's career began onstage upon his graduation from Morehouse College in Atlanta with a degree in dramatic arts. Among the plays were Home, A Soldier's Play, Sally/Prince, and The District Line. He also originated roles in two of August Wilson's plays at Yale Repertory Theatre. For the New York Shakespeare Festival, Jackson appeared in Mother Courage and Her Children, Spell #7 and The Mighty Gents.

In 2008, Jackson's films included the Neil LaBute thriller, LAKEVIEW TERRACE, which premiered at the Deauville Film Festival, followed by the Dimension Studios comedy SOUL MEN, alongside the late Bernie Mac, and the Frank Miller action drama THE SPIRIT, in which he portrayed the nemesis, Octopus. Also in 2008, Jackson starred in the Doug Liman directed sci-fi, action film, JUMPER, for 20th Century Fox.

In 2007, Jackson had a starring role in the acclaimed drama RESURRECTING THE CHAMP, and a co-starring role in the very successful horror film for the Weinstein Co., 1408, based on the Stephen King novel. Earlier that year, Jackson starred in the Craig Brewer film BLACK SNAKE MOAN, and Irwin Winkler's MGM war drama HOME OF THE BRAVE.

In 2006, Jackson starred in the cult classic film SNAKES ON A PLANE, directed by David Ellis. Jackson also starred opposite Julianne Moore in Revolution Studio's FREEDOMLAND, directed by Joe Roth, based on the best-selling novel of the same name. He also appeared as Agent Derrick Vann in New Line's THE MAN, opposite Eugene Levy.

In early 2005, Jackson topped the opening weekend box office charts with the success of the Paramount Pictures film, COACH CARTER. Jackson portrayed real-life high school basketball coach Ken Carter, a dedicated role model and advocate for students succeeding in the classroom as well as on the basketball court. COACH CARTER was screened as the opening night film of the prestigious Palm Springs Film Festival. Jackson received the Career Achievement Award for Acting from the Festival.

Jackson also starred in the indie film opposite Juliette Binoche in the Sony Classics, IN MY COUNTRY, based on the best-selling novel, Country of My Skull, by South African writer, Antije Krog. Jackson portrayed an American reporter coping with the aftermath of apartheid as his newspaper assigns him to cover the Truth and Reconciliation Trials, established by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. IN MY COUNTRY was directed by John Boorman and produced by Bob Chartoff and Mike Medavoy.

In 2005, Jackson reprised his role as Agent Augustus Gibbons in XXX: STATE OF THE UNION, and as Mace Windu in STAR WARS; EPISODE III: THE REVENGE OF THE SITH. To no one's surprise, STAR WARS, EPISODE III: THE REVENGE OF THE SITH made an incredible impact at the box office, breaking numerous opening day records.

In 2004, Jackson appeared as the character Frozone in the Disney animated action-adventure film, THE INCREDIBLES, which was released to record box office results. The film was directed and written by Brad Bird and earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Picture as well as two Academy Award nominations.

In 2003, Jackson starred in S.W.A.T for Columbia TriStar. Directed by Clark Johnson, S.W.A.T. is about an arrested drug kingpin who is transported by a Los Angeles Police Department S.W.A.T. team and led out of the city and into Federal custody. Plans go awry when the kingpin offers $100 million to anyone who can free him. Colin Farrell and Michelle Rodriguez are also in the film.

In 2002, Jackson starred with Ben Affleck in the box office and critical success, Paramount's CHANGING LANES. Jackson delivered an intense yet sympathetic performance of a father who was down on his luck, but intent on getting even with the man that wronged him. Also in 2002, Jackson starred and executive produced the Sony/ Screen Gems film FORMULA 51, with Robert Carlyle; co-starred in the sci-fi thriller, XXX; and reprised his role as Mace Windu in the second installment of George Lucas' STAR WARS EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES.

In 2001, Jackson starred in Jersey Franchise/Universal's CAVEMAN'S VALENTINE. Directed by Kasi Lemmons, the film followed the story of a homeless man in New York City who discovered a murder. Jackson also served as an executive producer on the project, which was the most successful independent film of the year. This was Jackson's second project with Kasi Lemmons with the first being the applauded, EVE'S BAYOU, which he also produced in 1997.

In 2000, Jackson co-starred opposite Bruce Willis in writer/director M. Night Shyamalan's suspense drama, UNBREAKABLE for Disney. Jackson's character, Elijah Price, a highly suspicious and wheelchair-bound man with a far-fetched theory, holds the key to the film's underlying question of, Are You Unbreakable?

Also in 2000, Jackson starred in John Singleton's SHAFT in the title role opposite Christian Bale and Vanessa Williams. Jackson also starred in Paramount's courtroom drama RULES OF ENGAGEMENT, where he played Col. Terry Childers, a military officer on trial for ordering his soldiers to open fire on civilians. Directed by William Friedkin, the film co-starred Tommy Lee Jones. Both SHAFT and RULES OF ENGAGEMENT were screened at the 2000 Deauville Film Festival, where Jackson was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

In 1999, Jackson starred in Warner Bros. DEEP BLUE SEA for director Renny Harlin. Jackson also made a cameo appearance in George Lucas' highly successful and popular STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE. In 1998, Jackson also starred in THE NEGOTIATOR and in Francois Girard's THE RED VIOLIN.


Note: This profile was written in or before 2013.
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Samuel L. Jackson Facts

Birth NameSamuel Leroy Jackson
OccupationActor
BirthdayDecember 21, 1948 (75)
SignSagittarius
BirthplaceWashington DC, District of Columbia, USA
Height6' 3" (1m91)  How tall is Samuel L. Jackson compared to you?
Awards1995 BAFTA Awards: Actor in a Supporting Role (for Pulp Fiction)
Social Media SamuelLJackson

Selected Filmography

The Legend of Tarzan
The Incredibles
The Hateful Eight
Marvel's The Avengers: Age Of Ultron
Patriot Games
Barely Lethal
Marvel's The Avengers
Iron Man 2
Everything Is Samuel L. Jackson's Fault
Continue » Find more details on the Samuel L. Jackson Movies page