Samuel Leroy Jackson (born December 21, 1948) is an Academy Award-nominated American actor. Jackson came to fame in the early 1990s, after a series of well-reviewed performances, and has since become a major film star and cultural icon, having appeared in a large number of high-grossing films. He is currently working on nine films that will debut in 2006 and 2007. His most recent film, Snakes on a Plane, was released in August of 2006 and his next film, the drama Home of the Brave, will be released on December 15, 2006. Jackson's films have grossed between $2.1 billion (as either lead actor or co-lead actor) [1] and $3.8 billion, (films that feature Jackson as either lead or supporting) [2][3] placing him as either the 8th highest-grossing actor (as strictly lead) or the 1st highest-grossing actor (counting supporting roles) of all time. Contents [hide] 1 Biography 1.1 Early life 1.2 Acting career 1.3 Other work 1.4 Personal life 2 Selected filmography 3 References 3.1 Footnotes 3.2 Web sites [edit] Biography [edit] 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 attended Riverside High a segregated school where, between the third and twelfth 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 that involved taking over a campus space; civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Sr. was inadvertently held in the building during the takeover.[4] Jackson previously served as an usher at one of the funeral services for Martin Luther King, Jr., held in the quadrangle of the College.[5] After taking a public speaking class and appearing in a version of The Threepenny Opera at his college,[6] 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. [edit] Acting career Jackson as Jules Winnfield in Pulp Fiction, 1994Jackson began appearing in feature films in the late 1980s, including a brief role 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 (for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor) and Jackie Brown, the Spike Lee movies Do The Right Thing, Mo' Better Blues and Jungle Fever, his role in the 2000 version of Shaft and as Jedi Mace Windu in the Star Wars prequel trilogy. Windu's purple lightsaber in the Star Wars prequels was the result of Jackson's suggestion; he wanted to be sure that his character would stand out in a crowded battle scene. Jackson has noted that he chooses roles that are "exciting to watch" and have an "interesting character inside of a story", and that in his roles he wants to "do things [he hasn't] done, things [he] saw as a kid and wanted to do and now have an opportunity to do".[7] 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. Jackson is bald in real life, but enjoys wearing unusual wigs in his films. On June 13, 2000, Jackson was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame which can be found at 7018 Hollywood Blvd. Jackson as Jedi Master Mace Windu in the Star Wars prequel trilogyIn 2005, Jackson publicly turned down an offer to co-star in rapper 50 Cent's acting debut,[8] citing that he did not want to lend credence to what he believed was 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".[9] However, in December 2006, Jackson will appear with 50 Cent in the film Home of the Brave. Jackson as FBI agent Neville Flynn in Snakes on a PlaneOn January 30, 2006, Jackson was honored with a hand and footprint ceremony at Grauman's Chinese Theatre; he is the seventh African American and 191st actor to be recognized in this manner. Jackson's most recent film, released on August 18, 2006, is Snakes on a Plane, a thriller that has generated interest based on its title. Jackson has admitted that the film's title was the reason he agreed to star in it, specifying that "Snakes on a Plane. You either want to see that, or you don't".[10] Jackson, who has expressed interest in a sequel to the film, insisted that explicit violent and sexual content be inserted into the film, to raise its appeal to audiences.[11] To build anticipation for the film, he also guest-starred as himself in the 2006 music video Snakes on a Plane (Bring It) by Cobra Starship. In a review of the film, the Syracuse Post-Standard's film critic noted that Jackson portrays "his usual no-nonsense authority figure" in the film.[12] Jackson's upcoming films include Home of the Brave, a post-Iraq War drama co-starring rapper 50 Cent, Farce of the Penguins, a parody on the popular documentary March of the Penguins, in which Jackson has what he describes as a "Morgan Freeman role",[6] and Jumper, a sci-fi thriller co-starring Hayden Christensen and based on the novel by Steven Gould. Jackson has indicated that he would like to appear in a "pure horror film" for his next role.[7] [edit] Other work Ultimate Nick Fury, based on Jackson's appearanceJackson gave his consent for Marvel Comics to design their "Ultimate" version of the character Nick Fury after his likeness.[13] He has also stated interest in playing the character in a live-action film. Jackson has also had a song named after him, entitled Sammy L. Jackson by Hot Action Cop.[14] The song was featured on the soundtrack for the 2003 film S.W.A.T, in which Jackson appeared. 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. He was also mentioned on the animated television show Family Guy episode Brian Does Hollywood, when one of the characters declared that "Samuel L. Jackson is in everything" (pointing to Jackson's extensive filmography) at which point one of the show's characters is shown directing Jackson in a pornographic movie. Jackson also guest-starred as himself in an episode of the BBC/HBO sitcom Extras, voiced the main antagonist, Officer Frank Tenpenny, of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, the lead role in an upcoming anime series, Afro Samurai, and has a recurring part as the voice of "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 film. Jackson and wife Latanya Richardson during a tour of Naval Station Pearl HarborJackson will also voice God in the New Testament for an audio book version of the Bible entitled The Bible Experience, scheduled for a September 2006 release. He was given the lead role because producers felt his deep, authoritative voice was perfect for the role.[15] [edit] Personal life Jackson is married to actress Latanya Richardson, whom he met while attending Morehouse College. The couple, who live in Los Angeles, California, have a daughter, Zoe, born in 1982, who is in culinary school. Jackson is an avid basketball fan, and especially prefers the Harlem Globetrotters. He also became an avid Liverpool F.C. fan after filming the movie The 51st State in Liverpool, England. Jackson enjoys playing golf, a game he has been reported to have become very proficient at; he has stated that if he had to choose any other career, he would be "on the PGA [tour] playing golf".[6] [edit] Selected filmography Jackson in the film S.W.A.T., 2003Year Title Role Notes 2007 Jumper NSA agent pre-production; release TBA Resurrecting the Champ Champ post-production; release TBA 2004: A Light Knight's Odyssey Fear voice only; release TBA 1408 Mr. Olin filming; scheduled for May 18 Black Snake Moan Lazarus post-production; scheduled for February 16 2006 Farce of the Penguins Narrator voice only; release date TBA Home of the Brave -- post-production; scheduled for December 15 Snakes on a Plane Neville Flynn Freedomland Lorenzo Council 2005 The Man Derrick Vann Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith Mace Windu XXX: State of the Union Agent Augustus Gibbons Coach Carter Coach Ken Carter 2004 In My Country Langston Whitfield The Incredibles Lucius Best/Frozone (voice only) Kill Bill Vol.2 Rufus Twisted John Mills 2003 No Good Deed Jack Friar S.W.A.T. Sgt. Dan 'Hondo' Harrelson Basic West 2002 Formula 51 Elmo McElroy xXx Agent Augustus Gibbons Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones Mace Windu Changing Lanes Doyle Gipson 2001 The Caveman's Valentine Romulus Ledbetter 2000 Unbreakable Elijah Price Shaft John Shaft Rules of Engagement Col. Terry L. Childers 1999 Deep Blue Sea Russell Franklin Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace Mace Windu 1998 The Red Violin Charles Morritz (Montréal) The Negotiator Lt. Danny Roman Sphere Dr. Harry Adams 1997 Jackie Brown Ordell Robbie Eve's Bayou Louis Batiste One Eight Seven Trevor Garfield 1996 The Long Kiss Goodnight Mitch Henessey A Time to Kill Carl Lee Hailey The Great White Hype Rev. Fred Sultan 1995 Die Hard: With a Vengeance Zeus Carver Kiss of Death Calvin Hart 1994 Pulp Fiction Jules Winnfield Fresh Sam 1993 Jurassic Park Ray Arnold Amos & Andrew Andrew Sterling Loaded Weapon 1 Sgt. Wes Luger Menace II Society Tat Lawson 1992 Patriot Games LCDR Robby Jackson Juice Trip 1991 Jungle Fever Gator Purify A Spike Lee joint Strictly Business Monroe 1990 Def by Temptation Minister Garth A Troma film Goodfellas Stacks Edwards 1989 Sea of Love Black Guy (minor role) Do the Right Thing DJ Mister Senor Love Daddy A Spike Lee joint 1988 Coming to America Hold-Up Man (minor role) [edit] References Jackson's animated counterpart, Frozone, in The Incredibles, 2004[edit] Footnotes ^ Box Office Mojo. PEOPLE INDEX. Retrieved on August 20, 2006. ^ The Movie Times. Top Actor By Total Box Office Gross of all Movies. Retrieved on August 20, 2006. ^ The Numbers. All Time Top 100 Stars at the Box Office. Retrieved on August 20, 2006. ^ The Desert Sun. Samuel L. Jackson gives us the lowdown. Retrieved on August 20. ^ Tavis Smiley. Samuel L. Jackson. Retrieved on August 20, 2006. ^ a b c CNN.com. Samuel L. Jackson: Samurai and snakes. Retrieved on August 21, 2006. ^ a b Sun2Surf. Samuel L. Jackson shares some of his thoughts on acting, his new movie and his biggest phobia. Retrieved on August 25, 2006. ^ FemaleFirst. PROUD JACKSON TURNS DOWN 50 CENT FILM ROLE. Retrieved on August 20, 2006. ^ RogerEbert.com. Coach Carter (PG-13). Retrieved on August 20, 2006. ^ FilmStew.com. Slithering Up Anticipation. Retrieved on March 27, 2006. ^ PR Inside. Samuel L. Jackson wants to make a sequel to Snakes on a Plane - Snakes On Crack. Retrieved on September 4, 2006. ^ The Post-Standard. Snakes alive with scary, campy fun. Retrieved on August 21, 2006. ^ Samuel L. Jackson. Copyright Kamal Larsuel , 2005. Retrieved on August 20, 2006. ^ Hot Action Cop. Hot Action Cop in TV, Movies and Video Games. Retrieved on August 20, 2006. ^ ContactMusic. JACKSON VOICES GOD. Retrieved on August 20, 2006. [edit] Web sites Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Samuel L. JacksonSamuel L. Jackson at the Internet Movie Database NNDB biography and facts page Official site of Samuel L. Jackson Samuel L. Jackson Soundboard, (warning: explicit language) Unofficial Samuel L. Jackson fansite Extensive biography of Samuel L. Jackson