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Biography
Samuel Leroy Jackson (born December 21, 1948) is an Academy Award-nominated American actor. He is the highest grossing actor of all time, as the films he has appeared in have a combined gross of $3.8 billion [1].
Contents
1 Early life
2 Career
3 Other work
4 Personal Life
5 Selected filmography
6 Movie deaths
7 External links
7.1 Interviews
7.2 External links
Early life
Jackson was born in Washington, D.C. He grew up as an only child, in the factory town of Chattanooga, Tennessee with his mother, Elizabeth Jackson (a factory worker and later a supply buyer for a mental institution), and his maternal grandparents and extended family. His father lived away from the family in Kansas City, Missouri and later died from alcoholism. Jackson went to a segregated school where, between 3rd and 12th grade, he played the French horn and trumpet in the school orchestra. He later attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, where he co-founded the "Just Us Theater". Jackson was expelled from the college for two years, although he did receive a Bachelor of Arts in Drama in 1972.
While attending Morehouse, Jackson, along with several fellow students, participated in a demonstration, taking over a campus space and effectively kidnapping Martin Luther King, Sr., who was in the administration building during the takeover . The protestors released the elder King when he complained of chest pains.
Jackson appeared in a few minor acting roles, including television work and in 1976 moved to New York City, spending the next decade appearing in stage plays.
Career
Jackson as Jules Winnfield in Pulp Fiction
Jackson began appearing in feature films in the late 1980s, including a brief but memorable appearance in the 1988 Eddie Murphy comedy Coming to America, playing a shotgun-toting robber. His performance in Jungle Fever was so acclaimed that the 1991 Cannes Film Festival created a "Supporting Actor" award just for him. Along with that award, he has won many others including a Silver Berlin Bear, A BAFTA Film Award, and two Independent Spirit Awards.
Jackson is perhaps best known for his roles in the Quentin Tarantino movies Pulp Fiction and Jackie Brown, the Spike Lee movies Do The Right Thing, Mo' Better Blues and Jungle Fever and as Jedi Mace Windu in the Star Wars prequel trilogy. He is usually cast in roles that involve a cool, controlled, "in-the-know" character. His roles almost always involve a memorable line delivery; Jackson's trademark voice inflection lend heavily to this attribute.
In 1995, Jackson received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role as "Jules Winnfield" in 1994's Pulp Fiction.
Jackson as Jedi Master Mace Windu in Star Wars
On June 13th, 2000, Jackson was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame which can be found at 7018 Hollywood Blvd.
In 2005, Jackson publically turned down an offer to co-star in rapper 50 Cent's acting debut , citing that he did not want to lend credence to an unproven actor. Film critic Roger Ebert wrote of Jackson's decision: "Like Bill Cosby, Jackson is arguing against the anti-intellectual message that success for young black males is better sought in the worlds of rap and sports than in the classroom"].
On January 30th, 2006, Jackson was honored with a hand and footprint ceremony at Grauman's Chinese Theatre. He is the 7th African American and 191st actor to be recognized in this manner.
Other work
Ultimate Nick Fury, based on Jackson's appearance
Jackson gave his consent for Marvel Comics to design their "Ultimate" version of the character Nick Fury after his likeness.
Jackson has been parodied twice on Chappelle's Show. He was played by comedian Dave Chappelle in sketches involving Mace Windu and a fake commercial peddling "Samuel Jackson" beer (a parody of Samuel Adams). He has also been spoofed in the film, Team America: World Police, where he was portrayed as a villanous member of the Film Actors Guild, and was referenced on the animated television show, Family Guy, as one of the characters declared that "Samuel L. Jackson is in everything", pointing to Jackson's extensive filmography.
Jackson recently lent his voice to the character "Gin Rummy" in two episodes of the animated series The Boondocks. He also voiced the main antagonist of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Officer Frank Tenpenny. He is also slated to voice the lead role in an upcoming anime series, Afro Samurai.
Personal Life
Jackson and wife Latanya Richardson during a tour of Naval Station Pearl Harbor
Jackson, who is 6'3", is married to actress Latanya Richardson, whom he met while attending Morehouse College; they have a daughter, Zoe.
Jackson, a vegetarian, is an avid basketball fan, and especially prefers the Harlem Globetrotters. He also enjoys playing golf, a game he has been reported to have become very proficient at.
Jackson also became an avid Liverpool F.C. fan after filming the movie The 51st State in Liverpool, England.
Selected filmography
Jackson in the movie S.W.A.T.
2006
2004: A Light Knight's Odyssey
Fear
(voice only)
2006
Black Snake Moan
Lazarus
2006
Snakes on a Plane
Nelville Flynn
2006
Freedomland
Lorenzo Council
2005
The Man
Derrick Vann
2005
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Mace Windu
2005
XXX: State of the Union
Agent Augustus Gibbons
2005
Coach Carter
Coach Ken Carter
2004
The Incredibles
Lucius Best/Frozone
(voice only)
2004
Kill Bill Vol.2
Rufus
2004
Twisted
John Mills
2003
No Good Deed
Jack Friar
2003
S.W.A.T.
Sgt. Dan 'Hondo' Harrelson
2003
Basic
West
2002
Formula 51
Elmo McElroy
2002
xXx
Agent Augustus Gibbons
2002
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Mace Windu
2002
Changing Lanes
Doyle Gipson
2001
The Caveman's Valentine
Romulus Ledbetter
2000
Unbreakable
Elijah Price
2000
Shaft
John Shaft
2000
Rules of Engagement
Col. Terry L. Childers
1999
Deep Blue Sea
Russell Franklin
1999
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Mace Windu
1998
The Red Violin
Charles Morritz (Montréal)
1998
The Negotiator
Lt. Danny Roman
1998
Sphere
Dr. Harry Adams
1997
Jackie Brown
Ordell Robbie
1997
Eve's Bayou
Louis Batiste
1997
One Eight Seven
Trevor Garfield
1996
The Long Kiss Goodnight
Mitch Henessey
1996
A Time to Kill
Carl Lee Hailey
1996
The Great White Hype
Rev. Fred Sultan
1995
Die Hard: With a Vengeance
Zeus Carver
1995
Kiss of Death
Calvin Hart
1994
Pulp Fiction
Jules Winnfield
1994
Fresh
Sam
1993
Jurassic Park
Ray Arnold
1993
Amos & Andrew
Andrew Sterling
1993
Loaded Weapon 1
Sgt. Wes Luger
1992
Patriot Games
Lt. Cmdr. Robby Jackson
1992
Juice
Trip
1990
Def by Temptation
Minister Garth
1988
Coming to America
Hold-Up Man
minor role
Movie deaths
Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.
The characters Jackson plays often end up dying. The following is a list and description of assorted films that his characters have died in. (Warning: Possible spoilers)
Goodfellas, shot in the back of his head by Tommy DeVito.
Jungle Fever, shot by his father in the stomach, dies in his mother's arms.
True Romance, shot at beginning of movie by cocaine dealer.
Jurassic Park, killed by an escaped Velociraptor.
Hard Eight, killed by Sydney, after he tries to blackmail him.
One Eight Seven, shoots himself during Russian Roulette.
Eve's Bayou, shot by Lenny Mereaux.
Jackie Brown, shot three times by Ray Nicolette, a federal agent.
Deep Blue Sea, eaten by mutant shark.
Basic, alleged to be dead as told by three different stories, either by gunshot, grenade, or stabbing, however, he is alive at end of film.
Kill Bill Vol.2, murdered by Deadly Viper Assassination Squad.
Twisted, shot by subordinate homicide detective as he is about to kill her partner.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (video game), dies by wounds from fire truck he crashes.
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, killed by Darth Sidious (through force lightning and long fall).
