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Samuel L. Jackson

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BIO

Appearing in well over 100 films, Samuel L. Jackson is one of the most respected actors in Hollywood. Jackson’s portrayal of ‘Jules’, the philosopher hitman, in Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction” made an indelible mark on American cinema. In addition to unanimous critical acclaim, he received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations, as well as a Best Supporting Actor award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Among his many award-winning performances, Jackson 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. Jackson will receive an honorary Academy Award at the upcoming Governors Awards in January 2022. Jackson recently completed production on his first limited series for television, “The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey” in which he stars and produces for Apple. This year, Jackson reunited with Salma Hayek and Ryan Reynolds for Lionsgate’s “The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard,” the sequel to the 2017 film, “The Hitman’s Bodyguard.” He can also be seen in the newest “Saw” sequel, “Spiral,” with Chris Rock and Max Minghella and in Lionsgate’s “The Protégé.” In 2020, Jackson starred in the EPIX docuseries, “Enslaved,” which he also executive produced with LaTanya Richardson Jackson. “Enslaved” won three awards at the 2021 Canadian Screen Awards and two awards at the 2021 Impact Docs Awards. He also starred opposite Anthony Mackie in the Apple drama “The Banker.” In 2019, Jackson starred in Warner Bros.’ “Shaft” and Sony’s “Spiderman: Far From Home.” Jackson also starred as a young ‘Nick Fury’ opposite Brie Larson in the massive global hit, “Captain Marvel.” Jackson also reprised his role as ‘Mr. Glass’ in M. Night Shyamalan’s “Glass.” The film is the final installment of the universe Shyamalan created, which also includes “Split” and “Unbreakable.” In 2018, Jackson lent his voice to the Academy Award-nominated film “Incredibles 2,” reprising his role of ‘Lucius Best/Frozone.’ In 2017, Jackson starred in Warner Bros. “Kong: Skull Island” with Brie Larson and Tom Hiddleston. In 2015, Jackson appeared in Quentin Tarantino’s Oscar-nominated Western “The Hateful Eight.” He starred as Major Marquis Warren, alongside Walton Goggins, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Kurt Russell. That same year, Jackson appeared in Matthew Vaughn’s “Kingsman: The Secret Service” and Spike Lee’s “Chiraq.” In 2016, Jackson was seen in David Yates’ “The Legend of Tarzan,” starring alongside Alexander Skarsgård, Margot Robbie and Christoph Waltz in addition to Tim Burton’s “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.” Also in 2016, Jackson completed production on Brie Larson’s directorial debut “Unicorn Store,” “The Last Full Measure” with Sebastian Stan, Christopher Plummer and Ed Harris as well as Dan Fogelman’s “Life Itself.” In 2012, he co-starred in Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained” as ‘Stephen,’ with Christoph Waltz, Jamie Foxx and Leonardo DiCaprio. He also starred in “The Avengers,” which is part of his 9-picture deal with Marvel Studios. Jackson reprised his role in both Marvel’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” which was released in April 2014, and the 2015 sequel “The Avengers: Age of Ultron.” Jackson made his Broadway debut in 2011 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theater in “The Mountaintop,” where he portrayed Martin Luther King Jr. The play also starred Angela Bassett and was directed by Kenny Leon. Jackson’s career began onstage upon his graduation from Morehouse College in Atlanta with a degree in dramatic arts. Among the plays were Home, A Soldier’s Play, Sally/Prince and The District Line. He also originated roles in two of August Wilson’s plays, The Piano Lesson and Two Trains Running at the Yale Repertory Theatre. For the New York Shakespeare Festival, Jackson appeared in Mother Courage and Her Children, Spell #7, and The Mighty Gents. Additional film credits include: RoboCop, Oldboy, Mother and Child, Iron Man 2, HBO’s The Sunset Limited, Lakeview Terrace, Soul Men, The Spirit, Jumper, Resurrecting the Champ, 1408, Black Snake Moan, Snakes on a Plane, Freedomland, Coach Carter, Star Wars: Episode III: The Revenge of the Sith, S.W.A.T, Changing Lanes, Formula 51, Stars Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, Caveman’s Valentine, Eve’s Bayou, Unbreakable, Rules of Engagement, Shaft, Deep Blue Sea, Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace, The Negotiator, The Red Violin, Jackie Brown, 187, A Time to Kill, Die Hard with a Vengeance, Jungle Fever, Sphere, The Long Kiss Goodnight, Ragtime, Sea of Love, Coming to America, Do the Right Thing, School Daze, Mo’ Better Blues, Goodfellas, Patriot Games, and True Romance. On the small screen, Jackson served as Executive Producer for the Spike TV animated series, “Afro Samurai” which premiered in 2007. The series received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Animated Program from the Television Academy of Arts and Sciences. The first edition of the “Afro Samurai” video game launched in February 2009. Jackson also starred in John Frankenheimer’s Emmy Award-winning “Against the Wall” for HBO. His performance earned him a Cable Ace nomination as Best Supporting Actor in a Movie or Miniseries, as well as a Golden Globe nomination.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2022
Doaker Charles

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2011
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

[Broadway]
1990
Boy Willie (Understudy)

Lymon (Understudy)

[Off-Broadway]
1990
Jim Paine

[Off-Broadway]
1988
Prince

[Off-Broadway]
1988
Prince

[Off-Broadway]
1984
Actor 7 (Crook/Bra's Jim)

[Off-Broadway]
1981
Private Louis Henson

[Off-Broadway]
1981
Cephus Miles

[Off-Broadway]
1980
Ordinance Officer/Deputy/Texas Ranger/1st Klansman/Old Cowhand/Farmer

Sergeant/Kiowa Man/Soldier/Kinsmen


Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 2023 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

Samuel L. Jackson, The Piano Lesson

Drama League Awards - 2012 - Distinguished Performance Award

Samuel L. Jackson, The Mountaintop

Videos

News


Eva Noblezada, Lillias White and More Join West Bank Cafe Benefit Concert

A star-studded gala will be held on October 8th to benefit New York's legendary West Bank Cafe, featuring performances and appearances by notable figures from the entertainment industry.
Meet the Cast of OUR TOWN, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway

Thornton Wilder’s Our Town will begin previews on Tuesday, September 17 ahead of an opening on Thursday, October 10 at the Barrymore Theatre for a strictly limited engagement. Meet the cast of Our Town here!
Denzel Washington Reveals Next August Wilson Adaptation

In a new interview, producers Denzel Washington and Todd Black shed some light on their ambitions to adapt the whole of Wilson's American Century Cycle. With three already under their belts, they revealed the next play making the jump from stage to screen.
Photos: Inside the International Premiere of THE PIANO LESSON Film

On Tuesday, September 10th, Netflix's THE PIANO LESSON had its international premiere at Toronto International Film Festival at the Princess of Wales Theater. Take a look at the photos from the event here! 
Malcolm Washington Hopes THE PIANO LESSON Film Will Bring August Wilson to New Audiences

Later this year, an adaptation of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson will hit Netflix. In a new interview, director Malcolm Washington shed some light on his approach to adapting the play for the screen.
Malcolm Washington and John David Washington to Receive Honors for THE PIANO LESSON at Chicago International Film Festival

Malcolm Washington, director and co-writer of the upcoming adaptation of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson, along with star John David Washington will be honored at the 60th Chicago International Film Festival for their work on the film, which is also set to open the festival.
Jennifer Hudson Releasing First-Ever Holiday Album

Two-time GRAMMY® Award-winning recording artist, Academy Award-winning actress, and Tony and Emmy Award-winning producer Jennifer Hudson captures the magic of the holiday season on The Gift of Love, which will be released on October 18. 
Review Roundup: THE PIANO LESSON Film- How Does It Live Up to August Wilson's Play?

Reviews have begun to trickle in for Malcolm Washington's big-screen adaptation of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson, which premiered at the Telluride Film Festival this past weekend.
World Premiere Of LIBERTY TALKS: A COLOSSAL SATIRE Comes to Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater

Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater will present the World Premiere of LIBERTY TALKS: A Colossal Satire by Provincetown playwright Fermin Rojas, directed by Janice L. Goldberg.
The Billie Holiday Theatre Reveals 2024/25 Season Lineup

The Billie Holiday Theatre has announced details for its 2024-25 season. Learn more about the season lineup here!
THE PIANO LESSON to Make World Premiere at Telluride Film Festival

Malcolm Washington's film adaptation of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson will have its world premiere screening this weekend at the Telluride Film Festival. The screening comes ahead of its limited theatrical release on November 8 and its Netflix streaming release on November 22.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld August 22, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is August 22, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Photos/Video: THE PIANO LESSON Trailer With John David Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, & More

Netflix has released the official trailer and new photos for The Piano Lesson, the upcoming film adaptation of August Wilson's play in his American Century Cycle. The film is directed and co-written by Malcolm Washington in his feature directorial debut.
THE GARFIELD MOVIE Coming to Blu-ray and DVD Next Week

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has revealed the release date for the physical media editions of the animated Garfield Movie, featuring Chris Pratt. Directed by Mark Dindal, the movie will be available to purchase on Blu-ray and DVD on August 27.
Netflix Releases Teaser Art for THE PIANO LESSON Film; Trailer Coming Tomorrow

Netflix has just released the teaser art, along with new details, for the highly anticipated film adaptation of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson, which will be released later this year. The official trailer for the film will debut Wednesday, August 20th at 6:30 am PT.
ATTORNEY-CLIENT by Alex Ladd to be Presented at the Dream Up Festival

Catch the gripping drama ATTORNEY-CLIENT by Alex Ladd at the Dream Up Festival. Learn how to purchase tickets.
THE PIANO LESSON Film to Be a 'Cinematic' Adaptation of the August Wilson Play

The upcoming adaptation of The Piano Lesson will mark a cinematic departure from the stage version. Co-writing the screenplay with Virgil Williams, director Malcolm Washington opened up the world of the story for the movie, utilizing flashbacks and other filmmaking techniques to sometimes take viewers out of the living room where the original play is set.
FIGHT NIGHT: THE MILLION DOLLAR HEIST Spotlights Local Black-Owned Businesses in Atlanta

Atlanta is gearing up for an unforgettable week as Peacock rolls out a series of dynamic activations to promote their highly anticipated limited series, Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist.
Bernadette Peters And Ted Snowdon to be Honored at York Theatre Company Gala

The York Theatre Company will honor Bernadette Peters and Ted Snowdon at their Gala Evening. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Full Cast Set For UK and Ireland Tour of MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS

Find out who's starring in Lucy Bailey’s new production of the UK & Ireland Tour of MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Samuel L. Jackson been in?

Samuel L. Jackson has appeared on Broadway in 3 shows.

How many West End shows has Samuel L. Jackson been in?

Samuel L. Jackson has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Samuel L. Jackson been nominated for?

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Piano Lesson and Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for The Mountaintop.

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