Samuel L. Jackson in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)
SAMUEL L. JACKSON (Mace Windu) made an indelible mark on American cinema with his portrayal of Jules, the philosophizing hitman, in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. In addition to unanimous critical acclaim for his performance Jackson received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations as Best Supporting Actor as well as a Best Supporting Actor award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
Jackson stars with Ben Affleck in the film Changing Lanes, a suspense thriller in which a minor auto accident triggers a chain reaction of events that forces two strangers to become vicious antagonists.
Upcoming, Jackson will star in Ronnie Yu’s Formula 51, which also stars Robert Carlyle. Jackson plays a master chemist who formulates a grand scheme to score big on a drug deal, but his scheme goes awry. Jackson is also an executive producer on the film.
Jackson stars in the thriller XXX, in which he portrays a government agent who hires an extreme sports competitor (Vin Diesel) to infiltrate a Russian crime ring. The film is directed by Rob Cohen and written by Rich Wilkes.
Jackson recently completed production on Basic, for director John McTiernan and co-starring his Pulp Fiction teammate, John Travolta. Jackson plays a legendary drill instructor who mysteriously disappears along with several of his cadets. Andy Garcia, Giovanni Ribisi and Connie Nielsen co-star.
In 2001, Jackson also filmed No Good Deed, a feature film for Seven Arts Pictures based on the noir thriller novel by Dashiell Hammett entitled House on Turk Street. Bob Rafelson directs the picture and Milla Jovovich and Stellan Skarsgard costar.
Jackson recently staffed in Caveman ‘s Valentine. Directed by Kasi Lemmons, the film followed the story of a homeless man in New York City who discovered a murder. Jackson also served as an executive producer on the project. This was Jackson’s second project with Kasi Lemmons, following the applauded Eve‘s Bayou, which he also produced.
Jackson also co-starred opposite Bruce Willis in writer/director M. Night Shyamalan’s suspense drama Unbreakable. Jackson’s portrayal of Elijah Price, a highly suspicious and wheelchair bound man with a far-fetched theory, which he feels answers the film’s underlying theme of, "Are You Unbreakable?"
Jackson staffed in John Singleton’s Shalt in the title role opposite Christian Bale and Vanessa Williams. Jackson also starred in the courtroom drama Rules of Engagement, where he played Col. Terry Childers, a military officer on trial for ordering his soldiers to open fire on civilians. Directed by William Friedkin, the film co-starred Tommy Lee Jones. Both Shall and Rules of Engagement were screened at the 2000 Deauville Film Festival, where Jackson was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Jackson staffed in Warner Bros. Deep Blue Sea for director Renny Harlin, and in Francois Girard’s The Red Violin. He made a cameo appearance in George Lucas’ Star Wars. Episode I The Phantom Menace.
Jackson also staffed in The Negotiator and Jackie Brown, his second film with director Quentin Tarantino. For the latter he received a Golden Globe nomination and the Silver Bear Award for Best Actor in a Comedy at the Berlin Film Festival.
Jackson staffed opposite Sandra Bullock, Matthew McConaughey and Kevin Spacey in Joel Schumacher’s 1996 film of the John Grisham novel A Time To Kill. For his performance Jackson received a Golden Globe nomination and an NAACP Image Award. He also starred opposite Bruce Willis in Die Hard with a Vengence, the top-grossing movie internationally in 1995. His other film credits include 187, Sphere, The Long Kiss Goodnight, Hard Eight, Kiss of Death, Losing Isaiah and Amos and Andrew. Additional film credits are: Ragtime, Sea of Love, Coming to America, Ray, Do the Right Thing, School Daze, Mo Better Blues, Goodfellas, Strictly Business, White Sands, Patriot Games, Jumpin ‘at the Boneyard, Father and Sons, Juice and True Romance.
Jackson preceded his work in Pulp Fiction with a performance in the inner-city drama Fresh. He made movie history with his portrayal of a crack addict in Spike Lee’s Jungle Fever when he was awarded the first and only Best Supporting Performance Award ever given by the judges at the Cannes Film Festival. He also won the New York
Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor for that performance. On television, Jackson starred in John Frankenheimer’s Emmy Award-winning Against the Wall for HBO. His performance earned him a CableAce nomination as Best Supporting Actor in a Movie or Miniseries, as well as a Golden Globe nomination.
Jackson’s career began upon his graduation from Morehouse College in Atlanta with a degree in dramatic arts. He went on to perform in numerous stage plays, including Home, A Soldier ‘s Play, Sally/Prince and The District Line. He also originated roles in two of August Wilson’s plays at Yale Repertory Theatre. For the New York Shakespeare Festival, Jackson appeared in Mother Courage and Her Children, Spell #7, and The Mighty Gents.
While still a student at Morehouse, Jackson made his film debut in Together for Days.
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