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Born in Washington, D.C
December 21, 1948
Jackson was born in Washington, D.C . He grew up as an only child in Chattanooga, Tennessee with his mother, Elizabeth Jackson (née Montgomery), who was a factory worker and later a supplies buyer for a mental institution, and his maternal grandparents and extended family
Morehouse College
January 1, 1969
In 1969, Jackson and several other students held members of the Morehouse College board of trustees (including a nearby Martin Luther King, Sr.) hostage on the campus, demanding reform in the school's curriculum and governance. The college eventually agreed to change its ways, but Jackson was suspended for two years for his actions (although he would later return to the college to earn his Bachelor of Arts in Drama in 1972).
Together for Days
January 1, 1972
His first feature film was in Together for Days (1972).
Married actress Latanya Richardson
June 1, 1980 - Now
Jackson married actress Latanya Richardson in 1980, 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.
School Daze
Feburary 12, 1988
Cast as the character Leeds in the film.
Do the Right Thing
June 30, 1989
Small role in film as Mister Señor Love Daddy.
Goodfellas
September 19, 1990
He also played a minor role in the 1990 Martin Scorsese film Goodfellas as real-life Mafia associate Stacks Edwards.
Cannes Film Festival
June 1, 1991
The film, Jungle Fever, was so acclaimed that the 1991 Cannes Film Festival awarded a special "Supporting Actor" award just for him.[4][14] After this role, Jackson became involved with multiple film requests
Jungle Fever
June 7, 1991
Jackson acted in Jungle Fever, as the cocaine addict brother to the relatively new actor Wesley Snipes, a role which Jackson called cathartic as he was recovering from his addiction.
Strictly Business
November 8, 1991
Cast as Monroe in the film.
Juice
January 19, 1992
"Juice" is about 4 inner-city teens who get caught up in the pursuit of power and happiness, which they refer to as 'the juice'
Patriot Games
June 5, 1992
Cast as Lt. Cmdr. Robby Jackson in the film.
National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1
Feburary 5, 1993
An LA detective is murdered because she has microfilm with the recipe to make cocaine cookies. Cast as Sgt. Wes Luger in this comedy film.
Amos & Andrew
March 5, 1993
When Andrew Sterling (Samuel L Jackson), a successful black urbanite writer buys a vacation home on a resort in New England the police mistake him for a burglar
Jurassic Park
June 11, 1993
Jackson worked with director Steven Spielberg in Jurassic Park
Pulp Fiction
October 14, 1994
He played a major role in Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction. The film was perhaps Jackson's most notable role, mainly for his monologues and one-liners along with co-star John Travolta.The film earned Jackson an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor and a BAFTA Best Supporting Actor award win
Losing Isaiah
March 17, 1995
Cast as Kadar Lewis in the film.
Kiss of Death
April 21, 1995
A reformed convict goes undercover with the help of an angry detective to ensnare a psychotic mobster. Cast as Calvin Hart in film.
Die Hard with a Vengeance
May 19, 1995
Die Hard with a Vengeance, co-starring along side Bruce Willis in the third installment of the Die Hard series
The Great White Hype
May 3, 1996
When the champ's promoter, Rev. Sultan (Jackson), decides something new is needed to boost the marketability of the boxing matches...
A Time To Kill
July 24, 1996
A Time To Kill, where he depicted a father who is put on trial for killing two men who raped his daughter
NAACP Image
January 1, 1997
For A Time to Kill, Jackson earned a NAACP Image for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Eve's Bayou
November 7, 1997
He received an Independent Spirit award for Best First Feature[16] alongside first-time writer/director Kasi Lemmons in the drama film Eve's Bayou, for which he also served as executive producer.
Jackie Brown
December 25, 1997
He joined up again with director Quentin Tarantino and received a Berlin Film Festival Silver Bear for Best Actor for his portrayal as an arms merchant in Jackie Brown
Sphere
Feburary 13, 1998
In 1998, he worked with other established actors such as Sharon Stone and Dustin Hoffman in Sphere
The Negotiator
July 29, 1998
Plays a hostage negotiator who resorts to taking hostages himself when he is falsely accused of murder and embezzlement.
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
May 19, 1999
Cast as Jedi Master Mace Windu in George Lucas's Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. In an interview, Jackson claimed that he did not have a chance to read the script for the film and did not learn he was playing the character Mace Windu until he was fitted for his costume (it is said that he was eager to accept any role, just for the chance to be a part of the Star Wars saga).
Coming to America
June 28, 1999
Throughout his early film career, mainly in minimal roles in films such as Coming to America (as a criminal knocking over a fast food joint) and various TV films, Jackson was mentored by Morgan Freeman.
Deep Blue Sea
July 29, 1999
In 1999, Jackson starred in a this shark horror film
Rules of Engagement
March 31, 2000
He began the next decade in his film career as a Marine colonel put on trial in Rules of Engagement
Hollywood Walk of Fame
June 13, 2000
On June 13, 2000, Jackson was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame which can be found at 7018 Hollywood Blvd
Shaft
June 16, 2000
Starred in the 2000 remake of the 1971 film Shaft
Unbreakable
November 22, 2000
Co-starred with Bruce Willis for a third time in the supernatural thriller Unbreakable
The Caveman's Valentine
September 20, 2001
Jackson's sole film in 2001 was The Caveman's Valentine, where he plays a homeless musician in a murder thriller. The film was directed by Kasi Lemmons, who previously worked with Jackson in Eve's Bayou.
Changing Lanes
April 12, 2002
In 2002, he played a recovering alcoholic attempting to keep custody of his kids while dealing with a mishap with Ben Affleck's character in Changing Lanes
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
May 16, 2002
He returned for Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, increasing his role from a small role to a supporting role. Mace Windu's purple lightsaber in the film was the result of Jackson's suggestion; he wanted to be sure that his character would stand out in a crowded battle scene
xXx
August 9, 2002
Jackson then acted as a NSA agent alongside Vin Diesel in xXx
Formula 51
October 18, 2002
Played a drug dealer wearing a kilt in Formula 51
Basic
March 28, 2003
In 2003, Jackson portrayed another character in a military role, working with John Travolta again in Basic
S.W.A.T.
August 8, 2003
He played as a police sergeant alongside Colin Farrell in the television show remake S.W.A.T.
Twisted
Feburary 4, 2004
In 2004, Jackson played a mentor to Ashley Judd in the thriller Twisted
Kill Bill, Vol. 2
April 16, 2004
Jackson once again appeared in a Tarantino film, by cameoing in Kill Bill, Vol. 2.
The Incredibles
November 22, 2004
Lent his voice to the computer-animated film The Incredibles as the superhero Frozone
Coach Carter
January 14, 2005
In 2005, he began with the sports drama, Coach Carter, where he played a coach (based on the actual coach Ken Carter) dedicated to teaching his players that education is more important than basketball
XXX: State of the Union
April 29, 2005
XXX: State of the Union, the sequal to XXX, this time commanding Ice Cube acting along side.
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
May 19, 2005
Was in the final prequel George Lucas installment
The Man
September 9, 2005
His last film for 2005 was The Man alongside comedian Eugene Levy
Hawaii International Film Festival
November 4, 2005
On November 4, 2005, he was presented with the Hawaii International Film Festival Achievement in Acting Award.
Grauman's Chinese Theater
January 30, 2006
On January 30, 2006, Jackson was honored with a hand and footprint ceremony at Grauman's Chinese Theater; he is the seventh African American and 191st actor to be recognized in this manner
Freedomland
Feburary 17, 2006
He next starred opposite of actress Julianne Moore in the box office bomb Freedomland, where he depicted a police detective attempting to help a mother find her abducted child, while quelling a city racial riot.
Snakes on a Plane
August 18, 2006
Snakes on a Plane, gained cult interest months before the film was released based on its title and cast. Jackson's decision to star in the film was solely based on the title. To build anticipation for the film, he also cameoed in the 2006 music video Snakes on a Plane (Bring It) by Cobra Starship.
Bambi Award
December 2, 2006
On December 2, Jackson won the German Bambi Award for International Film, based on his many film contributions
Home of the Brave
December 15, 2006
On December 15, 2006, Jackson starred in Home of the Brave, as a doctor returning home from the Iraq War, resorting to alcohol to cope with his feelings after the war.
Farce of the Penguins
January 30, 2007
On January 30, 2007, Jackson was featured as narrator in Bob Saget's direct-to-DVD Farce of the Penguins. The film was a spoof of the box office success March of the Penguins (which was narrated by Morgan Freeman).
Black Snake Moan
March 2, 2007
His most recent films, released in 2007, were Black Snake Moan, where he portrays a blues player who imprisons a young woman (Christina Ricci) addicted to sex
1408
June 22, 2007
Cast in the horror film 1408, which casts him alongside John Cusack in an adaptation of the Stephen King short story.
Cleaner
January 18, 2008
A former cop (Jackson) who now earns a wage as a crime scene cleaner unknowingly participates in a cover-up at his latest job.
Iron Man
May 2, 2008
Jackson gave his consent for Marvel Comics to design their "Ultimate" version of the character Nick Fury after his likeness.[26] Jackson had a cameo as the character in the 2008 Iron Man film
Lakeview Terrace
September 19, 2008
Will portray a racist cop in Lakeview Terrace
Soul Men
November 14, 2008
He will also star along with Bernie Mac in Soul Men
The Spirit
December 25, 2008
Additionally in 2008, he also is signed on to be the villain, the Octopus, in the film The Spirit
Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odyssey
December 1, 2009
In 2009 he will provide his voice for the animated science fiction film, Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odyssey.
Iron Man 2
April 30, 2010
Jackson's small appearance at the post-credit scene of Iron Man has given him the role of Nick Fury for Iron Man 2, April 30 2010
The Avengers
July 1, 2011
Also he has been confirmed as Nick Fury in The Avengers movie that is set to be released in July of 2011. He will also be reprising his role of Mace Windu in the CGI film, Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
