Samuel L Jackson Acting Career

Samuel L. Jackson started as a marine biology major but switched to drama after taking a public speaking class. Let’s read his full acting career below.

He began acting on the stage in New York City, but developed addiction problems to alcohol and cocaine, which temporarily slowed his career. He was introduced to director Spike Lee who cast him in small roles in two films.

He was mentored by Morgan Freeman. After completing rehab, Jackson was cast in “Jungle Fever” as a crack cocaine addict and received critical acclaim.

He went on to act in various films, including “True Romance,” “Pulp Fiction,” which made him internationally recognized, and “Die Hard with a Vengeance.”

He continued to receive multiple scripts and had a successful career, receiving several awards and nominations, including Golden Globe and BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor for “Pulp Fiction.”

Samuel L Jackson Career

• Honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: On June 13, 2000, Jackson was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7018 Hollywood Boulevard.
• Film career in the 2000s: Jackson began the new decade of his film career by playing a Marine colonel in “Rules of Engagement,” co-starring with Bruce Willis in the supernatural thriller “Unbreakable,” and starring in the 2000 remake of “Shaft.”
• Reprises of past roles: Jackson reprised his role in “Unbreakable” in the film “Glass” in 2019 and reprised his role in “Shaft” in another film of the same title.
• The Caveman’s Valentine: In 2001, Jackson starred in the murder thriller “The Caveman’s Valentine,” directed by Kasi Lemmons, where he played a homeless musician.
• Changing Lanes: In 2002, Jackson played a recovering alcoholic in the film “Changing Lanes,” trying to keep custody of his kids while fighting a battle of wits with Ben Affleck’s character.
• Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones: Jackson returned for “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones,” where his minor supporting role developed into a major character. The purple lightsaber for his character Mace Windu was Jackson’s suggestion.
• XXX and the 51st State: In 2002, Jackson also acted as an NSA agent in “XXX,” and as a kilt-wearing drug dealer in “The 51st State.”
• Basic and SWAT: In 2003, Jackson starred in “Basic” with John Travolta and as a police sergeant in the television show remake “SWAT,” with Colin Farrell.
• The Incredibles: In 2004, Jackson lent his voice to the computer-animated film “The Incredibles” as the superhero Frozone, earning him an Annie Award nomination for Best Voice Acting.
• Kill Bill: Volume 2: Jackson made a cameo in Quentin Tarantino’s film “Kill Bill: Volume 2.”
• Coach Carter: In 2005, Jackson starred in the sports drama “Coach Carter,” playing a coach dedicated to teaching his players the importance of education over basketball. Despite mixed reviews for the film, Jackson’s performance was praised.
• XXX: State of the Union and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith: Jackson returned for two sequels, “XXX: State of the Union” and the final Star Wars prequel film, “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.”
• The Man: In 2005, Jackson starred in “The Man” alongside comedian Eugene Levy.
• Hawaii International Film Festival Achievement in Acting Award: On November 4, 2005, Jackson was presented with the Hawaii International Film Festival Achievement in Acting Award.
• Hand and footprint ceremony at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre: On January 30, 2006, Jackson was honored with a hand and footprint ceremony at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, becoming the seventh African American and 191st actor to be recognized in this manner.
• Freedomland: In 2006, Jackson starred opposite Julianne Moore in the box office bomb “Freedomland,” where he portrayed a police detective trying to help a mother find her abducted child while also quelling a citywide race riot.
• Snakes on a Plane: In 2006, Jackson starred in the cult film “Snakes on a Plane,” with his decision to star in the film being solely based on the title.

Early Career (1980s – 1990s):

Samuel L Jackson made his acting debut in the film “Goodfellas” in 1990 and later gained recognition for his role in “Jungle Fever” in 1991. He also starred in “Pulp Fiction” in 1994, which brought him critical acclaim.

Collaborations with Mainstream Rappers:

Jackson has appeared in numerous films alongside mainstream rappers including Tupac Shakur, Queen Latifah, Method Man, LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes, Eve, Ice Cube, Xzibit, David Banner, and 50 Cent.

Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU):

In 2002, Samuel L Jackson gave Marvel Comics permission to design the “Ultimate” version of Nick Fury after his likeness. He later made a cameo in the 2008 film “Iron Man” and signed on for a nine-picture deal with Marvel Studios to appear in “Iron Man 2,” “Thor,” “Captain America: The First Avenger,” and “The Avengers,” among others.

Samuel L Jackson has reprised his role as Fury in numerous MCU films, including “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Infinity War,” “Endgame,” and “Captain Marvel.”

Recent Film Roles:

Jackson appeared in the 2012 film “Django Unchained” directed by Quentin Tarantino, as well as “The Hateful Eight” in 2015 and “Kong: Skull Island” in 2017. He reprised his roles in the sequels “Shaft” and “Glass” in 2019 and had a prominent role in the Marvel film “Spider-Man: Far from Home.”

2020s: In 2020, Samuel L Jackson appeared in the television documentary series “Enslaved” and in the 2021 movie “Spiral: From the Book of Saw” alongside Chris Rock. He is set to return to Broadway in 2022 as Doaker Charles in a revival of “The Piano Lesson” directed by his wife LaTanya Richardson Jackson.

Upcoming Projects:

Jackson is set to produce a live-action film adaptation of “Afro Samurai,” play Sho’nuff in a remake of “The Last Dragon,” and reprise his role as Nick Fury in the Disney+ series “Secret Invasion” and in “The Marvels,” the sequel to “Captain Marvel.”

In Conclusion

Samuel L. Jackson is a highly accomplished actor who has made a significant impact in various media including film, television, video games, and music.

He is known for his deep, authoritative voice that has landed him numerous voice acting roles, including some of the most iconic characters in popular media.

Samuel L Jackson has also hosted several awards shows, appeared in commercials, and released a song on social justice.

Jackson’s box office performance has been remarkable, making him the highest-grossing actor in film history according to the Golden Globes, with over $27 billion grossed across 152 movies.

1. Samuel L. Jackson is a renowned actor known for his extensive voice roles in various media including films, television shows, video games, music videos, and audiobooks.
2. He has voiced several iconic characters such as Whiplash in Turbo (2013), the title character in the anime series Afro Samurai (2007), and Frank Tenpenny in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004).
3. In addition to his voice roles, Jackson has appeared in various music videos, a small role in the BBC/HBO sitcom Extras, and hosted various awards shows such as the MTV Movie Awards, the ESPYs, and the Spike TV Video Game Awards.
4. He has also narrated the documentary I Am Not Your Negro (2016), provided the voice of God for the New Testament audiobook version of the Bible, and recorded the audiobook of Go the F**k to Sleep.
5. Jackson has appeared in various commercials including Capital One credit card commercials, a Sky Broadband Shield commercial, and a commercial for the video game Marvel Snap where he reprised his role as Nick Fury.
6. He has released a song about social justice in America called “I Can’t Breathe” with other artists.
7. According to box-office tracking company A.C. Neilson E.C.I., Jackson appeared in more films than any other actor in the 1990s, grossing $1.7 billion domestically.
8. As of 2022, Jackson is the highest-grossing actor in film history, with over $27 billion grossed across 152 movies, according to the Golden Globes.