Samuel L. Jackson: Difference between revisions
Jjacobsmeyer (talk | contribs) Usher at MLK, Jr's funeral |
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* Jackson is bald in real life, but enjoys wearing unusual wigs in his films, perhaps best exemplified by Jules' greasy hairdo in [[Pulp Fiction]]. |
* Jackson is bald in real life, but enjoys wearing unusual wigs in his films, perhaps best exemplified by Jules' greasy hairdo in [[Pulp Fiction]]. |
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* Mace Windu's purple lightsaber in the [[Star Wars]] prequels was the result of Jackson's suggestion; he wanted to be sure he'd stand out in a crowded battle scene. |
* Mace Windu's purple lightsaber in the [[Star Wars]] prequels was the result of Jackson's suggestion; he wanted to be sure he'd stand out in a crowded battle scene. |
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*Jackson has had it with these motherfucking snakes on this motherfucking airplane. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 18:49, 11 August 2006
- For other people named Samuel Jackson, see Samuel Jackson (disambiguation)
Samuel L. Jackson | |
|---|---|
 Jackson at the world premiere of Rules of Engagement. | |
| Born | December 21, 1948 |
| Occupation | Actor |
Samuel Leroy Jackson (born December 21, 1948) is an Academy Award-nominated American actor. Jackson's films have grossed between $2.1 billion[1] and $3.8 billion dollars[2] putting him between 8th and 1st of the highest-grossing actors of all time. Jackson is currently working on nine films that will debut in 2006 and 2007. His most recently released film was Freedomland, and his next upcoming film is Snakes on a Plane.
Biography
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. Martin Luther King, Sr. was in the administration building during the takeover, and wasn't able to get out because of the students' demonstration. [3]. The protestors released the elder King when he complained of chest pains. Jackson later served as an usher at one of the funeral services for Martin Luther King, Jr., held in the quadrangle of the College. [4]
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.
Acting Career
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, his role in the remake of Shaft 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, many of whom have an aggressive nature. His roles almost always involve a memorable line delivery, many of which are heavily laced with profanity which has over the years become an inadvertent source of humor for many Jackson fans. Jackson's trademark voice inflection lends 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.
On June 13, 2000, Jackson was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame which can be found at 7018 Hollywood Blvd.
In 2005, Jackson publicly turned down an offer to co-star in rapper 50 Cent's acting debut [5], 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" [6].
On January 30, 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. Jackson's next film will be Snakes on a Plane, a thriller scheduled for release on August 18, 2006. The film has generated interest based on its title, and Jackson has admitted that the film's title was the reason he agreed to star in it, saying "Snakes on a Plane. You either want to see that, or you don't".[1]
Jackson's upcoming films also include Home of the Brave, a post-Iraq War drama co-starring rapper 50 Cent (with whom Jackson had previously refused to appear), and Farce of the Penguins, a parody on the popular documentary March of the Penguins. Jackson will also play a prominent role in Jumper, a sci-fi thriller based on the novel by Steven Gould.
Other work
Right after graduating from Morehouse, Jackson was seen in a McDonald's TV commercial in the early 1970s.
Jackson gave his consent for Marvel Comics to design their "Ultimate" version of the character Nick Fury after his likeness.[7]
Jackson once made a cameo appearance on the television show, Bill Nye the Science Guy, where he explained the physics of the dimples on a golf ball.
Jackson has had a song named after him, entitled Sammy L. Jackson[2] by Hot Action Cop. The song was featured on the soundtrack for the 2003 film S.W.A.T. To build anticipation for his upcoming film Snakes on a Plane, Jackson guest-starred as himself in the 2006 music video Snakes on a Plane (Bring It) by Cobra Starship.
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) at which point Brian Griffin is shown directing Jackson in a pornographic movie. Jackson also recently guest-starred as himself in an episode of the BBC / HBO sitcom Extras, the second major project of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant (of The Office fame).
Jackson has a recurring role as the voice of the character, "Gin Rummy" in several episodes of the animated series The Boondocks. In one episode, he paid tribute to his Pulp Fiction character, Jules Winnfield, by reenacting the "What?" scene from the movie. 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.
Jackson will also provide the voice of God in the New Testament for an audio book version of the Bible entitled The Bible Experience. Jackson was given the lead role because producers felt his deep, authoritative voice was perfect for the role of God. The audiobook will be released in September 2006, and an Old Testament audiobook will be released with his voice again in 2007.[8]
Personal life
Jackson 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.
Jackson also bears a resemblance to Laurence Fishburne, to the point where some fans have a hard time telling them apart. Both actors have reported instances of fans approaching one while asking for the autograph of the other.
Selected filmography
Movie deaths
Template:Spoiler The characters Jackson plays often end up being killed, often in very interesting ways. The following is a list and description of assorted films that his characters have died in.
- 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 offscreen by the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad.
- Twisted, shot by subordinate homicide detective as he is about to kill her partner.
- Team America: World Police, this film portrays Jackson as a puppet (although not voiced by Jackson) that is killed by Chris (a member of Team America) who kicks the top part of his head off.
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (video game), dies from the wounds he receives after he crashes a fire truck off a bridge.
- Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, killed by Darth Sidious (through Force lightning and being thrown through a window). Jackson, who began filming with the knowledge that his character would be killed, requested that he not die "like some punk." He has gone on record that he feels his request was honored.
Trivia
- Jackson is bald in real life, but enjoys wearing unusual wigs in his films, perhaps best exemplified by Jules' greasy hairdo in Pulp Fiction.
- Mace Windu's purple lightsaber in the Star Wars prequels was the result of Jackson's suggestion; he wanted to be sure he'd stand out in a crowded battle scene.
- Jackson has had it with these motherfucking snakes on this motherfucking airplane.
References
Footnotes
- ^ "FilmStew.com". es Slithering Up Anticipation. Retrieved March 27.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "News." 13 Dec 2003. Hot Action Cop. 5 Aug 2006 <http://www.hotactioncop.com/tool/display_news.php?id=75228>.
Interviews
- The Seattle Times (February 14, 2006)
- MovieWeb interview (September 8, 2005)
- MovieHole interview (September 8, 2005)
- PopEntertainment interview (2004)
- Guardian Unlimited interview & in-depth profile (December 1, 2003)
- Cinema Confidential interview (August, 2002)
- LucasFilm interview (July, 1999)
Web sites
- 1948 births
- African-American actors
- American film actors
- American vegans
- Best Supporting Actor Academy Award nominees
- Film actors
- Grand Theft Auto actors
- Law & Order actors
- Living people
- People from Washington, D.C.
- Jurassic Park actors
- Star Wars actors
- Morehouse College alumni
- Academy Award Nominated Black Performers