Net Worth: | $250 million |
Profession/Career: | Actor, Film Producer |
YouTube Channel: | Samuel L. Jackson does not have an official YouTube channel |
College: | Morehouse College |
Major/Degree: | Bachelor’s degree in Drama |
Full Name: | Samuel Leroy Jackson |
Date of Birth: | December 21, 1948 |
Generation: | Baby Boomer |
Place of Birth: | Washington, D.C. |
Height: | 6 feet 2 inches |
Weight: | 207 lbs |
Frequently Associated With
- Robert Downey Jr.
- Kevin Feige
- Brie Larson
- John Travolta
- Uma Thurman
- Bruce Willis
Who is Samuel L. Jackson?
Samuel L. Jackson is an iconic American actor and film producer. Born on December 21, 1948, in Washington, D.C., he grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Jackson faced a challenging upbringing, marked by segregation and personal struggles. However, his passion for the arts led him to pursue a career in acting.
He began his acting journey with roles in various plays and television films. His breakthrough came with the film “Jungle Fever” (1991), directed by Spike Lee. However, it was his role as Jules Winnfield in Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction” (1994) that catapulted him to international stardom. His memorable performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Throughout his career, Jackson has showcased his versatility by taking on a wide range of roles in films spanning various genres. Some of his notable films include the “Star Wars” prequel trilogy, the “Avengers” series, “Django Unchained,” “Unbreakable,” and its sequels, among many others.
His prolific career and choice of blockbuster films have earned him the title of the highest-grossing actor of all time when considering the total box office receipts of films he’s appeared in.
Off the screen, Jackson is known for his distinctive voice, charismatic presence, and advocacy for various causes. He remains one of the most influential figures in Hollywood and continues to leave an indelible mark on the film industry.
Samuel L. Jackson’s Net Worth
Samuel L. Jackson’s net worth is estimated to be around $250 million.
What we know about him:
- He is one of the top-grossing actors of all time, with the worldwide box office total of his films exceeding $27 billion.
- On average, Samuel L. Jackson’s movies have grossed $89.9 million per film.
- Samuel earns between $4 to $6 million every time he appears as Nick Fury in a Marvel movie. This includes even brief end credit cameo scenes with one or two lines.
- For ‘White Sands’ (1992), Jackson was paid a sum of $75,000.
- Jackson received a paycheck of $10 million for his role in Shaft (2000).
- For ‘Unbreakable’, he earned $7 million.
- Jackson was paid $6 million for his role as Jack Friar in ‘No Good Deed’ (2002).
- For ‘Kong: Skull Island’ (2017), Jackson received $5 million.
- Jackson can earn up to $20 million for a single starring role in a major production when backend bonuses are included.
- Between June 2016 and June 2017, he earned about $30 million, making him one of the 15 highest-paid actors in the world on a per-year basis.
- Samuel L. Jackson’s most notable endorsement deal is with Capital One, which pays him a reported $10 million+ per year.
- He has also appeared in commercials for Adidas, Apple, and Brioni. Between June 2016 and June 2017, he earned $30 million from his various endeavors.
- Samuel L. Jackson and his wife LaTanya live in an 11,738-square-foot estate located in the Beverly Park neighborhood of Beverly Hills, California. They purchased this property for $8.35 million in 2000 from actress and comedian Roseanne Barr. It is now likely worth between $20-30 million.
- In 2005, they spent $4.8 million on a multi-unit condo on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, which they listed for sale in 2018 for $13 million.
- Samuel L. Jackson and his wife once owned a 4,491-square-foot, 4-bedroom Tudor-style home in San Fernando Valley. They listed this home on the market in December 2014 for $3.2 million and sold it in June 2015 for $2,812,500.
- They also previously owned a brownstone on W. 143rd Street that they bought in 1981 for just $35,000 and sold in 1997 for $125,000.
Samuel L. Jackson’s Early Life and Childhood
Samuel L. Jackson was born in Washington, D.C., but was raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee. His father, Roy Henry Jackson, lived away from the family and had little involvement in Samuel’s life. He later met his father only twice during his life. His mother, Elizabeth Jackson, was a factory worker and later became a supplies buyer for a mental institution. She was the primary figure in Samuel’s upbringing.
The Jackson family was not affluent. They lived in a segregated community, and Samuel was raised primarily by his mother and maternal grandparents. The challenges of living in a racially segregated society and the absence of his father played a significant role in shaping his early life.
Jackson grew up in an environment marked by racial segregation. Chattanooga, during his childhood, was a place where racial tensions were palpable. The challenges of growing up Black in the American South during this period deeply influenced his perspectives and later work.
Apart from the societal challenges of racism and segregation, Jackson faced personal struggles. He had a stutter as a child, a challenge he had to work through and occasionally still deals with. The absence of his father and the economic challenges his family faced also added layers of complexity to his upbringing.
Jackson’s interest in acting was kindled during his time at Morehouse College in Atlanta, where he initially pursued a degree in marine biology before switching to architecture and eventually settling on drama. He co-founded the “Just Us Theatre” while in college. His involvement in the Black Power movement and civil rights activism during this period also influenced his choice of roles and his approach to acting. After college, he moved to New York to pursue a career in theater, which eventually paved the way for his entry into films.
Samuel L. Jackson’s Lesser-Known Works
While Samuel L. Jackson is widely recognized for his roles in blockbuster films, he has also been involved in lesser-known projects that showcase his versatility as an actor. Here are some of his lesser-known works:
“187” (1997): In this drama, Jackson plays a teacher named Trevor Garfield who moves to Los Angeles after a student’s attack. He faces challenges in his new school, where gang violence is rampant.
“The Red Violin” (1998): Jackson plays Charles Morritz, an appraiser of musical instruments, who discovers a violin with a mysterious past.
“The Caveman’s Valentine” (2001): Jackson portrays Romulus Ledbetter, a former pianist turned homeless man, who tries to solve a murder mystery.
“Black Snake Moan” (2006): In this drama, Jackson plays Lazarus, a deeply religious farmer who finds and helps a young woman with a troubled past.
“Fresh” (1994): Jackson plays Sam, the chess-playing father of the film’s young protagonist, in this crime drama about a 12-year-old boy navigating the drug trade.
“Eve’s Bayou” (1997): Set in Louisiana, Jackson plays Louis Batiste, the patriarch of a Creole family with many secrets.
Awards and Accolades
It’s quite known that Samuel L. Jackson has expressed his frustrations over a scene that was cut from the 1996 film “A Time to Kill.” He believes the scene would have made him a strong contender for an Academy Award. In a recent interview with Vulture, Jackson mentioned that the scene was removed during the editing process, and he felt that it could have earned him an Oscar. Despite his extensive career, Jackson has only received one Oscar nomination for his role in “Pulp Fiction” in 1995. Aside from that, he’s won numerous other awards, which include:
- BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Jackson won this award for his iconic role as Jules Winnfield in “Pulp Fiction” (1994).
- Silver Bear for Best Actor at the Berlin International Film Festival: He received this award for his role in “Jackie Brown” (1997).
- Black Reel Awards: Jackson has won multiple Black Reel Awards for films like “Shaft” (2000), “Coach Carter” (2005), and “Django Unchained” (2012).
- NAACP Image Awards: He has been honored with several NAACP Image awards for his roles in films like “A Time to Kill” (1996) and “The Negotiator” (1998).
- Honorary Oscar: In 2022, Samuel L. Jackson received an Honorary Academy Award for his contributions to the film industry.
- MTV Movie Awards: Jackson has won several MTV Movie Awards, including Best On-Screen Duo (with John Travolta) for “Pulp Fiction.”
- Independent Spirit Award: He won the Best Male Lead award for his role in “Pulp Fiction.”
Interesting Facts You May Not Have Known About Samuel L. Jackson
Stuttering: Samuel L. Jackson’s struggle with stuttering began in his childhood. This speech disorder can be challenging, especially for someone in the acting profession. Jackson found a unique way to cope with it by using the word “motherf***er” as an affirmation. It’s a technique he developed to push through the moments when he felt a stutter coming on. This word has since become synonymous with many of his on-screen characters.
Vegetarian: Jackson’s decision to become a vegetarian was primarily for health reasons. In 2013, he adopted a vegan diet, which he credits for a significant weight loss of 40 pounds and increased energy levels. He was inspired to make this change after watching the documentary “Forks Over Knives.”
Addiction Recovery: In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Jackson battled with drug addiction, including cocaine. His wife and daughter discovered him passed out from an overdose, which became a turning point. After undergoing rehab, he emerged clean and took on the role of a crack addict in “Jungle Fever.” He has mentioned that this role was therapeutic and helped him confront his own demons.
Praise from Salma Hayek: Samuel L. Jackson mentioned that he hasn’t had many on-screen love interests throughout his career. He revealed that he has kissed only about five women in his cinematic history. Salma Hayek, who co-starred with him in “The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard,” is one of them. Hayek praised Jackson, stating that he’s one of the best kissers she’s worked with.
Comic Book Fan: Jackson’s love for comic books isn’t just a passing interest. He’s a dedicated fan. The Marvel Comics character Nick Fury was redesigned in the “Ultimate Marvel” series to resemble Jackson, even before he portrayed the character in the Marvel movies. This redesign was a tribute to his stature in the entertainment world.
Golf Enthusiast: Golf is more than just a hobby for Jackson; it’s a passion. He’s known to play golf regularly and has even incorporated a clause in his film contracts that allows him to take time off to play golf twice a week during movie shoots.
Star Wars Connection: Jackson’s role as Mace Windu in the “Star Wars” prequels came with a unique request. He asked George Lucas for a purple lightsaber so he could distinguish himself during the large battle scenes. Lucas initially hesitated but eventually granted the request, making Mace Windu the only Jedi with a purple lightsaber.
Theater Roots: Before his Hollywood fame, Jackson was deeply involved in theater. He co-founded the “Just Us Theatre” in Atlanta, which was dedicated to showcasing Black talent and narratives. His theater background provided a strong foundation for his film career.
Guinness World Record: Jackson’s films have grossed over $27 billion worldwide, earning him the Guinness World Record for the highest-grossing actor of all time. This record is a testament to his versatility and the wide range of roles he has portrayed.
Voice Work: Beyond his on-screen roles, Jackson has a distinctive voice that he has lent to various animated characters and video games. Notably, he voiced Frozone in Pixar’s “Incredibles” movies and Officer Tenpenny in the video game “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.”