Samuel L. Jackson

50 Things You Didn’t Know About Samuel L. Jackson

Here are 50 interesting facts about Samuel L. Jackson, one of the most iconic and prolific actors in Hollywood:

1. Samuel L. Jackson’s full name is Samuel Leroy Jackson.

2. He was born on December 21, 1948, in Washington, D.C.

3. Jackson was raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, by his mother, Elizabeth Jackson, and his grandparents.

4. He is an only child and was largely raised by his maternal grandparents.

5. Jackson developed a stutter as a child and learned to overcome it by using the word “motherf****r” as a filler, a phrase that later became his signature.

6. He initially pursued a degree in marine biology at Morehouse College before switching to drama.

7. Jackson was heavily involved in the civil rights movement during his college years and was even an usher at Martin Luther King Jr.’s funeral.

8. He participated in a protest at Morehouse College that led to his suspension for two years.

9. Samuel L. Jackson has appeared in over 150 films, making him one of the most prolific actors in history.

10. He holds the title of the highest-grossing actor of all time, with his films grossing over $27 billion worldwide.

11. Jackson’s breakout role was in Spike Lee’s “Jungle Fever” (1991), where he played a crack addict named Gator.

12. He won a special jury prize for Best Supporting Actor at the Cannes Film Festival for his role in “Jungle Fever.”

13. Quentin Tarantino wrote the role of Jules Winnfield in “Pulp Fiction” specifically for Jackson.

14. The famous Bible passage recited by Jackson’s character in “Pulp Fiction,” Ezekiel 25:17, is largely fictional and was altered for the film.

15. Jackson’s performance in “Pulp Fiction” earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

16. He is known for his distinctive voice and has provided voice work for numerous projects, including animated films and video games.

17. Jackson is a fan of comic books and was thrilled to be cast as Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

18. The character Nick Fury in the comics was redesigned to resemble Jackson after his casting in the MCU.

19. Samuel L. Jackson has appeared in nearly every MCU film since “Iron Man” (2008).

20. He is also known for his roles in other franchises, including “Star Wars” as Mace Windu and “Jurassic Park” as Ray Arnold.

21. Jackson’s role as Mace Windu in the “Star Wars” prequels was written specifically for him by George Lucas.

22. Jackson requested that Mace Windu’s lightsaber be purple, making it the only one of its kind in the “Star Wars” films.

23. He has been married to actress and producer LaTanya Richardson since 1980, and they have one daughter, Zoe.

24. Jackson is an avid golfer and has played in numerous celebrity golf tournaments.

25. He is a passionate supporter of education and has donated millions to support scholarships and other educational causes.

26. Jackson has been sober since 1991, after overcoming a serious addiction to drugs and alcohol.

27. He is a big fan of the reality TV show “Judge Judy” and has said that he watches it every day.

28. Jackson has a clause in his contracts that allows him to play golf twice a week, regardless of his filming schedule.

29. He is known for his love of wearing Kangol hats, a signature style that has become synonymous with his public image.

30. Jackson was a prominent figure in the Black Power movement and has said that his activism influenced his approach to acting.

31. He has worked with director Quentin Tarantino on multiple films, including “Pulp Fiction,” “Jackie Brown,” “Django Unchained,” and “The Hateful Eight.”

32. Jackson has been featured in numerous music videos, including those of 2Pac, Jay-Z, and Michael Jackson.

33. He has a unique contract with Marvel Studios that originally included nine films, making him one of the key players in the MCU.

34. Jackson is one of the few actors to have appeared in both the “Star Wars” and Marvel franchises.

35. He has said that he often keeps props from his films, including the purple lightsaber from “Star Wars.”

36. Jackson is an advocate for civil rights and social justice, frequently speaking out on issues affecting the Black community.

37. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2000.

38. Jackson was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Pulp Fiction.”

39. He has voiced characters in several animated films, including “The Incredibles” (as Frozone) and “Afro Samurai.”

40. Jackson narrated the audiobook for the novel “Go the Fk to Sleep,” which became a viral sensation.**

41. He has a passion for blues music and once considered becoming a musician before pursuing acting full-time.

42. Jackson starred in the 2006 film “Snakes on a Plane,” which became a cult classic partly due to his involvement.

43. He is known for his incredible work ethic, often taking on multiple roles in a single year.

44. Jackson has a production company called UppiTV, which he runs with his wife, LaTanya.

45. He received an honorary Oscar at the Governors Awards in 2022 for his contributions to the film industry.

46. Jackson is a fan of anime and manga, and he voiced the character Afro Samurai in the animated series.

47. He has been described as one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood, with a track record of box-office success.

48. Jackson has hosted “Saturday Night Live” multiple times and is known for his comedic timing and sense of humor.

49. He has worked with many of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino, and George Lucas.

50. Despite his fame, Jackson remains humble and often credits his success to his strong work ethic and dedication to his craft.

These facts provide a glimpse into Samuel L. Jackson’s life, career, and the impact he has had on the entertainment industry.