Samuel L. Jackson

<span class="SFPTagline"> From SCIFIPEDIA </span>

Samuel Leroy Jackson is a well-known American actor born on December 21, 1948, in Washington DC. He grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with his mother and grandparents after his father left the family. Despite the struggles of growing up in the segregated south, his mother instilled a strong work ethic and Jackson devoted himself to reading and music studies. He attended the segregated Riverside High School.

He went on to study at Morehouse College where after exploring oceanography he settled on architecture. He suffered from a stammering problem and a tutor suggested speech classes as a method of overcoming his problem. The classes cured the stammer but also introduced him to the joy of performing and he changed his major once more to Drama. He was expelled for two years but eventually completed his degree and graduated in 1972 and despite his mother's objections pursued acting. She eventually came around after seeing him in a commercial for Krystal Hamburgers. He did several TV ads while in Atlanta and performed in local theatre. He made his film debut in Together for Days.

1 Career
2 Personal Life
3 Awards
4 Quotes
5 External Links

Career

Jackson moved to New York where he worked with the Negro Ensemble Company and the New York Shakespeare Company. While acting in New York, he met Morgan Freeman who became his mentor. He also worked as a doorman at the Manhattan Plaza to support himself and his acting career. In 1978 he returned to the screen in the TV Movie, The Trial of Moke. He later appeared in Ragtime and played Eddie's Uncle in Eddie Murphy Raw. He appeared on screen once more with Murphy in Coming to America.

Jackson returned to the stage, appearing in August Wilson's The Piano Lesson. He developed a drug and alcohol problem, regularly indulging in tequila and cocaine. He performed small roles in the films Sea of Love, Betsy's Wedding, The Exorcist III, and Goodfellas. He also played a preacher in the vampire horror Def By Temptation. When his wife came across him, unconscious on the floor of their kitchen, he finally turned his attention to cleaning up his life. He went into rehab and cleaned up his act. As if in reward for this personal success, he landed a breakout role in Spike Lee's Jungle Fever. He won critical acclaim for his role as Gator Purify and won the first ever supporting actor award from the New York Film Critics Circle.

In the 90s, Jackson appeared in numerous films, taking all the work he could get. He appeared in Juice alongside Omar Epps and Tupac Shakur, Strictly Business with Halle Berry, Patriot Games with Harrison ford, Menace II Society, Jurassic Park, and Losing Isaiah. His most memorable role was in the Quentin Tarrantino film Pulp fiction, where he played Jules starring opposite John Travolta. He was nominated for an Oscar for the role but was disappointed to lose the award to Martin Landau. Other notable roles included Die Hard: With a Vengeance opposite Bruce Willis, A Time to Kill, Jackie Brown, and The Long Kiss Goodnight.

The late 90s brought roles in several sci-fi films including the 1996 film Sphere with Sharon Stone, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, and Deep Blue Sea. In 2000 he starred as John Shaft in the movie Shaft. He also appeared as Elijah Price in M. Night Shyamalan's Unbreakable.

Jackson continued to mix odd roles with blockbuster films. He appeared in The Caveman's Valentine as a crazed pianist, Changing Lanes and Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. He played commanding roles in S.W.A.T. and Basic and appeared in another Quentin Tarantino film, Kill Bill: Vol. 2. In 2004 he gave voice to Frozone in the animated film The Incredibles. In 2005, he starred as Coach Ken Carter in Coach Carter. He also appeared in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. He turned down a role in Get Rich or Die Trying with rapper 50 Cent, refusing to act with an untried actor who won his place due to his rap career than acting studies. In 2006, however, he'll appear with the rapper in Home of the Brave.

In 2006, Jackson starred in the infamous film Snakes on a Plane. Upcoming films include voice roles in Farce of the Penguins, Afuro zamurai and 2004: A Light Knight's Odyssey. He will also appear in Black Snake Moan, 1408, Jumper and Resurrecting the Champ.

Personal Life

While still in school, he met actress LaTanya Richardson. The couple married in 1980 and have one daughter. Jackson was the commencement speaker at his daughter’s graduation from Vassar College.

Jackson loves basketball and is a fan of the Harlem Globetrotters. He also enjoys playing golf and has become skilled in the sport.

Awards

Jackson has won the respect of costars and fans for his versatility and has been nominated and awarded for his work. He has been nominated for an Academy Award, four Golden Globe Awards, eight Image Awards, and three MTV Movie Awards. He has been recognized with a Star on the Walk of Fame and a hand and footprint ceremony at Grauman's Chinese Theatre. He has been awarded with:

1991 New York Film Critic's Circle Award in the category: Best Supporting Actor for Jungle Fever
1992 Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award in the category: Best Supporting Actor for Jungle Fever
1995 Independent Spirit Award in the category: Best Male lead for Pulp Fiction
1995 BAFTA Film Award in the category: Best Actor in a Supporting Role for: Pulp Fiction
1997 Image Award in the category: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for: A Time to Kill
1997 Blockbuster Entertainment Award in the category: Favorite Supporting Actor - Suspense for: A Time to Kill
1998 Independent Spirit Award in the category: Best First Feature for Eve's Bayou
1998 Silver Berlin Bear in the category: Best Actor for Jackie Brown
1998 Black Film Award in the category: Best Actor for: Eve's Bayou
2005 BET Comedy Award in the category: Best Performance in an Animated Theatrical Film for: The Incredibles
2006 Image Award in the category: Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for: Coach Carter

Quotes

"Dictionaries are like watches; the worst is better than none, and the best cannot be expected to be quite true. "

"Success doesn’t always mean winning. There are other ways to win, rather than winning 'the game.' You can still win in life without winning the game."

"I still hang out in bars with people, I drink tonic or I get something that looks like an alcoholic drink, because I just want to be accepted. "