Legendary actor Samuel L. Jackson has been performing in theater and film for more than four decades. Jackson was born on December 21, 1948, in Washington, D.C. He has been featured in box office hits, including Pulp Fiction and Star Wars. Here are five things to know about Samuel L. Jackson!
- Film Enthusiast Since Childhood. Despite being born in the nation’s capital, Jackson grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Jackson was an early film enthusiast. He would frequently visit the local theater to watch films and these visits exposed him to the complicated messages that revolved around the presence or lack of presence of African-Americans on screen.
- HBCU Grad. The messaging Jackson received as a child led him to attend Morehouse College in Atlanta and he became involved in the Black Power movement. However, he was expelled from the college after protesting the absence of African American people on the board of trustees. After being expelled, he found his passion for acting. Jackson eventually returned to Morehouse to study acting and received his degree in 1972.
- Friendships With Morgan Freeman And Spike Lee. Both Morgan Freeman and Spike Lee supported a young Samuel L. Jackson during the early stages of his career. While living in New York in 1981, Freeman convinced Jackson that he could be a successful actor and the two developed a friendship. He developed a connection with Spike Lee, who expressed his enthusiasm for Jackson’s performances and wanted him to act in his upcoming projects. Jackson agreed and made several appearances in Lee’s early films, including School Daze, Do the Right Thing and Mo’ Better Blues.
- Breakout Role In Pulp Fiction. Most actors spend their careers searching for a breakout role, and in 1994, Samuel L. Jackson found his opportunity. He had established a reputation as one of the hardest-working Hollywood actors and was given a chance to play a pivotal role in Quentin Tarantino’s cult classic, Pulp Fiction. He was even nominated for an Academy Award for his performance.
- One Of The Hardest Working Actors In Hollywood. With a career spanning four decades. it is no surprise that Samuel L. Jackson earned a reputation for his hard work. Jackson has made appearances in more than 120 films, including Jurassic Park, Snakes On A Plane, and his work with the Marvel Franchise. The movies he has been featured in have earned a total of more than $5 billion at the U.S. box office and an impressive $13 billion worldwide.
His hard work has not gone unrecognized, as the actor holds several Golden Globe, Emmys, and Academy Award nominations. He is also a BET Lifetime Achievement Award winner and an NAACP Image Award recipient. Jackson has a credit list that many actors aspire to and he continues to land roles in major films.
