Born December 21, 1948, in Washington, D.C., Jackson was raised by his mother and grandparents in Chattanooga, Tenn. After attending Morehouse College and co-founding Atlanta's black-oriented Just Us Theater, Jackson got his big break (and a Best Supporting Actor win at Cannes) as a drug addict in fellow Morehouse alum Spike Lee's critically acclaimed Jungle Fever.Known thereafter as a hard-hitting performer, Jackson was catapulted to stardom by his fearsome intensity and commanding on-screen presence. Now, the actor is on the "A" list -- and portraying roles that reveal his more dramatic side.
In addition to his Oscar-nominated role in Pulp Fiction, Jackson's notable films include The Negotiator, The Long Kiss Goodnight and the title role in John Singleton's 2000 remake of Shaft.
Black Snake MoanIn writer-director Craig Brewer's Southern-fried drama, which draws unexpected inspiration from the classic novel Silas Marner, blues musician Lazarus (Samuel L. Jackson) finds sex-addicted Rae (Christina Ricci) beaten and near death, and acts as a father figure to help redeem her. But before saving... Read More
The Red ViolinWhen the long-lost "red violin," a rare instrument crafted during the Italian Renaissance, shows up at a modern auction, it reveals its mysterious history -- and the lives of its previous owners -- in a series of flashbacks spanning three centuries. Samuel L. Jackson co-stars as a curious... Read More
Lakeview TerraceDirector Neil LaBute's taut thriller follows the Mattsons -- Chris (Patrick Wilson) and Lisa (Kerry Washington) -- as they settle into their Los Angeles dream house, only to be hassled by their off-kilter neighbor, police officer Abel Turner (Samuel L. Jackson). It seems Turner disapproves of the... Read More
Coach CarterSamuel L. Jackson stars as the titular, controversial Coach Carter, a no-nonsense hardliner who firmly believes that scholarship and a sense of ethics go hand in hand with excellence on the basketball court. The coach is so firm in his convictions that he benches his undefeated team of high... Read More
CleanerAfter years as a detective, Tom Carver (Samuel L. Jackson) runs a business specializing in cleaning up crime scenes. But when he realizes his latest gig at a ritzy suburban house might have been a cover-up for a homicide, he must clean up the injustice. Our hygienic hero gets far more than he... Read More
