01of 18Samuel L. Jackson’s New York City BeginningsRon Galella/Ron Galella Collection via GettySamuel Leroy Jacksonwas born on Dec. 21, 1948, in Washington, D.C. He came to New York City in October 1976 and joined the theater, where he paid his dues alongside future starsDenzel WashingtonandWesley Snipes. After small appearances in classic filmsComing to America(1988),Do the Right Thing(1989) andGoodfellas (1990), Jackson broke into Hollywood for good playing Gator Purify indirector Spike Lee’sJungle Fever(1991).Since then, the star has been outworking new and veteran actors, racking up more than 100 film credits, doing voiceover work, hosting and starring in Capital One commercials with the famous tagline: “What’s in your wallet?” No role has been too big or too small for Jackson, who has become a mainstay in Hollywood’s biggest blockbuster franchises, includingStar Wars,The Incrediblesand the Marvel Cinematic Universe — just to name a few.
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Samuel L. Jackson’s New York City Beginnings
Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Samuel Leroy Jacksonwas born on Dec. 21, 1948, in Washington, D.C. He came to New York City in October 1976 and joined the theater, where he paid his dues alongside future starsDenzel WashingtonandWesley Snipes. After small appearances in classic filmsComing to America(1988),Do the Right Thing(1989) andGoodfellas (1990), Jackson broke into Hollywood for good playing Gator Purify indirector Spike Lee’sJungle Fever(1991).
Since then, the star has been outworking new and veteran actors, racking up more than 100 film credits, doing voiceover work, hosting and starring in Capital One commercials with the famous tagline: “What’s in your wallet?” No role has been too big or too small for Jackson, who has become a mainstay in Hollywood’s biggest blockbuster franchises, includingStar Wars,The Incrediblesand the Marvel Cinematic Universe — just to name a few.
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Samuel L. Jackson Marries Actress LaTanya Richardson
Samuel L. Jackson/Instagram
Jackson and actress LaTanya Richardson first met in Atlanta in the ’60s when Jackson was a student at Morehouse College and Richardson was a student at Spelman College. The two got married in 1980 and welcomed their daughter Zoe, now 40, two years later.
“Happy Anniversary @ltjackson_ ‼️You’re my Rock & reason to get up every day work on giving you the best I have to offer,” he wrote. “Thanks for All you Are! You are Love, walking , talking, challenging & everlasting! I Love You with all that I am😍💥💐‼️#ifitwaseasyerrrbodycoulddoit #itsallbeenworthit”
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Samuel L. Jackson and LaTanya Richardson Open Up About Their 41-Year Marriage
Matt Sayles/@msayles
In a recent issue of PEOPLE,the couple sat down for an intimate interviewto discuss their love and life now.
04of 18Samuel L. Jackson Earns an Oscar Nomination for Pulp FictionJohn Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson inPulp Fiction(1994).Miramax/Buena Vista/Kobal/ShutterstockIn 1994, after appearing in hit filmsMenace II Society(1993) andJurassic Park(1993), Jackson played iconic character Jules Winnfield inQuentin Tarantino’sPulp Fiction. The film exploded onto the awards circuit, where it earned seven Oscar nominations, including Best Picture.Jackson earned his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. CostarsJohn TravoltaandUma Thurmanwere nominated for Best Actor and Actress, Tarantino earned a nom for Best Director and won an Oscar for Best Screenplay with writing partner Roger Avary.
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Samuel L. Jackson Earns an Oscar Nomination for Pulp Fiction
John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson inPulp Fiction(1994).Miramax/Buena Vista/Kobal/Shutterstock
In 1994, after appearing in hit filmsMenace II Society(1993) andJurassic Park(1993), Jackson played iconic character Jules Winnfield inQuentin Tarantino’sPulp Fiction. The film exploded onto the awards circuit, where it earned seven Oscar nominations, including Best Picture.
Jackson earned his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. CostarsJohn TravoltaandUma Thurmanwere nominated for Best Actor and Actress, Tarantino earned a nom for Best Director and won an Oscar for Best Screenplay with writing partner Roger Avary.
05of 18Samuel L. Jackson at the Deep Blue Sea PremiereRon Galella/Ron Galella Collection via GettyJackson joined costarsLL Cool J, his wife Simone Smith, Renny Harlin, Thomas Jane and Saffron Burrows on theDeep Blue Seapremiere red carpet in Westwood, California, in 1999.
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Samuel L. Jackson at the Deep Blue Sea Premiere
Jackson joined costarsLL Cool J, his wife Simone Smith, Renny Harlin, Thomas Jane and Saffron Burrows on theDeep Blue Seapremiere red carpet in Westwood, California, in 1999.
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Samuel L. Jackson Receives a Star on the Walk of Fame
LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP via Getty
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Samuel L. Jackson Attends the Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones Premiere
Albert L. Ortega/WireImage
08of 18Samuel L. Jackson Attends the S.W.A.T. World PremiereKevin Winter/GettyIn Westwood, California, Jackson and costarsJeremy Renner, Olivier Martinez, LL Cool J,Michelle RodriguezandColin Farrellstopped to take a cast photo at the 2003S.W.A.T.world premiere at the Mann Village Theatre.
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Samuel L. Jackson Attends the S.W.A.T. World Premiere
Kevin Winter/Getty
In Westwood, California, Jackson and costarsJeremy Renner, Olivier Martinez, LL Cool J,Michelle RodriguezandColin Farrellstopped to take a cast photo at the 2003S.W.A.T.world premiere at the Mann Village Theatre.
09of 18Samuel L. Jackson and the Coach Carter Cast Pose at the PremiereKevin Winter/GettyIn 2005, the cast ofCoach Carter— including Robert Ri’chard, Nana Gbewonyo, Antwon Tanner, Ashanti, Rob Brown amd Rick Gonzalez — joined Jackson on the red carpet at the Chinese Theater in L.A.
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Samuel L. Jackson and the Coach Carter Cast Pose at the Premiere
In 2005, the cast ofCoach Carter— including Robert Ri’chard, Nana Gbewonyo, Antwon Tanner, Ashanti, Rob Brown amd Rick Gonzalez — joined Jackson on the red carpet at the Chinese Theater in L.A.
10of 18Samuel L. Jackson Recieves Career Achievement Award for ActingAmy Graves/WireImageAt the Palm Springs International Film Festival in 2005, the star was honored with the Career Achievement Award for Acting.
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Samuel L. Jackson Recieves Career Achievement Award for Acting
Amy Graves/WireImage
At the Palm Springs International Film Festival in 2005, the star was honored with the Career Achievement Award for Acting.
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Samuel L. Jackson Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Do the Right Thing
Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage
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Samuel L. Jackson Stars in The Hateful Eight
Andrew Cooper/The Weinstein Company
13of 18Samuel L. Jackson Shares Throwback Ahead of Hateful Eight PremiereSamuel L. Jackson/InstagramTo amp up the anticipation for the film,Jackson shared a throwbackof his younger self on a horse on Instagram with the caption, “The beginnings of Major Warren! Wait for The H8ful Eight!!”
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Samuel L. Jackson Shares Throwback Ahead of Hateful Eight Premiere
To amp up the anticipation for the film,Jackson shared a throwbackof his younger self on a horse on Instagram with the caption, “The beginnings of Major Warren! Wait for The H8ful Eight!!”
14of 18Samuel L. Jackson in a Selfie with His Kong CostarsSamuel L. Jackson/InstagramThe star snapped a selfie withKong: Skull IslandcostarsTom HiddlestonandBrie Larsonas they embarked on their 2016 press tour and wrote on Instagram, “Da 3 Viet Namigos!!! Bout to get our Kong press on.”
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Samuel L. Jackson in a Selfie with His Kong Costars
The star snapped a selfie withKong: Skull IslandcostarsTom HiddlestonandBrie Larsonas they embarked on their 2016 press tour and wrote on Instagram, “Da 3 Viet Namigos!!! Bout to get our Kong press on.”
15of 18Samuel L. Jackson Attends Incredibles 2 U.K. PremiereIan West/PA Images/Getty ImagesJackson, who voices Lucius Best a.k.a. Frozone, and costarHolly Hunter, who voices Helen Parr a.k.a. Elastigirl, hit the U.K.Incredibles 2red carpet in London with the animated stars.
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Samuel L. Jackson Attends Incredibles 2 U.K. Premiere
Ian West/PA Images/Getty Images
Jackson, who voices Lucius Best a.k.a. Frozone, and costarHolly Hunter, who voices Helen Parr a.k.a. Elastigirl, hit the U.K.Incredibles 2red carpet in London with the animated stars.
16of 18Samuel L. Jackson Hangs with Magic Johnson at Dodgers StadiumSamuel L. Jackson/InstagramClose friends Jackson and L.A. Lakers legendMagic Johnsonhung out with wives LaTanya Richardson and Cookie Johnson at a Dodgers game in 2018.
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Samuel L. Jackson Hangs with Magic Johnson at Dodgers Stadium
Close friends Jackson and L.A. Lakers legendMagic Johnsonhung out with wives LaTanya Richardson and Cookie Johnson at a Dodgers game in 2018.
17of 18Samuel L. Jackson Pays Tribute to Nelson MandelaSamuel L. Jackson/InstagramThe actor celebrated activist and former South African presidentNelson Mandelaon what would’ve been his100th birthdaywith a photo of the Jacksons visiting the leader before he died in 2013.“HAPPY 100THFROM THE JACKSONS‼️🎶🎂👊🏾,” he wrote, adding hashtags, #sogladwehadthehonor and #ameetinglikenoother.
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Samuel L. Jackson Pays Tribute to Nelson Mandela
The actor celebrated activist and former South African presidentNelson Mandelaon what would’ve been his100th birthdaywith a photo of the Jacksons visiting the leader before he died in 2013.“HAPPY 100THFROM THE JACKSONS‼️🎶🎂👊🏾,” he wrote, adding hashtags, #sogladwehadthehonor and #ameetinglikenoother.
18of 18Samuel L. Jackson Receives Honorary Award at the 2022 OscarsFrazer Harrison/GettyJackson receivedhis first Oscarat the 12th Governors Awards on March 25, ahead of the2022 Oscars.Though he’s never won an Oscar, he’s the most-nominated Black actor in Academy Awards history,with 10 nods to his name.TheAcademy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciencespresented actors Jackson, Elaine May and Liv Ullmann withThe Honorary Award, which is awarded to celebrate extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to motion picture arts and sciences, or for outstanding service to the Academy.Danny Gloverreceived the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, which lauds individuals whose humanitarian work has credited the larger industry.“We are thrilled to present this year’s Governors Awards to four honorees who have had a profound impact on both film and society,” Academy President David Rubin said in a statement, adding that, “Sam Jackson is a cultural icon whose dynamic work has resonated across genres and generations and audiences worldwide.”
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Samuel L. Jackson Receives Honorary Award at the 2022 Oscars
Frazer Harrison/Getty
Jackson receivedhis first Oscarat the 12th Governors Awards on March 25, ahead of the2022 Oscars.
Though he’s never won an Oscar, he’s the most-nominated Black actor in Academy Awards history,with 10 nods to his name.
TheAcademy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciencespresented actors Jackson, Elaine May and Liv Ullmann withThe Honorary Award, which is awarded to celebrate extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to motion picture arts and sciences, or for outstanding service to the Academy.Danny Gloverreceived the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, which lauds individuals whose humanitarian work has credited the larger industry.
“We are thrilled to present this year’s Governors Awards to four honorees who have had a profound impact on both film and society,” Academy President David Rubin said in a statement, adding that, “Sam Jackson is a cultural icon whose dynamic work has resonated across genres and generations and audiences worldwide.”
source: people.com
