TWISTED: SAMUEL L JACKSON BIOGRAPHY
Respectfully labeled as one of the hardest working actors in Hollywood, SAMUEL L JACKSON (John Mills) is an undisputed star. He made an indelible mark on American cinema with his portrayal of Jules, the philosophizing hit man, in Quentin Tarantino's PULP FICTION. In addition to unanimous critical acclaim for his performance, he received Academy Award® and Golden Globe nominations as Best Supporting Actor as well as a Best Supporting Actor award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
In summer 2003, Jackson travelled to South Africa for production on the film COUNTRY OF MY SKULL, based on the best-selling novel by South African writer Antjie Krog. Jackson will portray an American reporter who must cope with the aftermath of apartheid as his newspaper assigns him to cover the Truth and Reconciliation Trials established by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, that expose the worst cases of torture, abuse and violence. COUNTRY OF MY SKULL was directed by John Boorman and produced by Robert Chartoff and Mike Medavoy. Juliette Binoche co-stars.
Recently, Jackson starred in S.W.A.T. for Columbia TriStar. Directed by Clark Johnson, S.W.A.T. is about an arrested drug kingpin who is transported by a Los Angeles Police Department S.W.A.T. team and led out of the city and into federal custody. Plans go awry when the kingpin offers $100 million to anyone who can free him. Colin Farrell and Michelle Rodriguez are also in the film.
In 2002, Jackson starred with Ben Affleck in the box office and critical success, Paramount's CHANGING LANES. Jackson delivered an intense yet sympathetic performance of a father who was down on his luck, but intent on getting even with the man who wronged him. Also in 2002, Jackson starred in, and executive produced the Sony/Screen Gems film FORMULA 51 (US) aka THE 51ST STATE (UK), with Robert Carlyle; co-starred in the sci-fi thriller XXX and reprised his role as Mace Windu in the second installment of George Lucas' STARS WARS: EPISODE II - ATTACK OF THE CLONES.
In 2001, Jackson starred in Jersey Franchise/Universal's THE CAVEMAN'S VALENTINE. Directed by Kasi Lemmons, the film followed the story of a homeless man in New York City who discovered a murder. Jackson also served as an executive producer on the project. This was Jackson's second project with Kasi Lemmons; the first was the applauded EVE'S BAYOU, which he also produced.
Jackson also co-starred opposite Bruce Willis in writer/director M Night Shyamalan's suspense drama UNBREAKABLE, for Disney. Jackson's character, Elijah Price, a highly suspicious and wheelchair bound man with a farfetched theory, holds the key to the film's underlying question: "Are You Unbreakable?"
Jackson starred in John Singleton's SHAFT, in the title role opposite Christian Bale and Vanessa Williams. He also starred in Paramount's courtroom drama RULES OF ENGAGEMENT, as Col. Terry Childers, a military officer on trial for ordering his soldiers to open fire on civilians. Directed by William Friedkin, the film co-starred Tommy Lee Jones. Both SHAFT and RULES OF ENGAGEMENT were screened at the 2000 Deauville Film Festival, where Jackson was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Jackson starred in Warner Bros.' DEEP BLUE SEA, for director Renny Harlin, and in Francois Girard's THE RED VIOLIN. Jackson also made a cameo appearance in George Lucas' highly successful and popular STAR WARS: EPISODE ONE - THE PHANTOM MENACE.
Jackson also starred in THE NEGOTIATOR and JACKIE BROWN, his second film with director Quentin Tarantino. For the latter, he received a Golden Globe nomination and the Silver Bear Award for Best Actor in a Comedy at the Berlin Film Festival.
Jackson starred opposite Sandra Bullock, Matthew McConaughey and Kevin Spacey in Joel Schumacher's 1996 film of the John Grisham novel A TIME TO KILL. For his performance, Jackson received a Golden Globe nomination and an NAACP Image Award. He also starred opposite Bruce Willis in DIE HARD: WITH A VENGEANCE, the top-grossing movie internationally in 1995.
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. He also won the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor for that performance.
His other film credits include 187, SPHERE, THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT, HARD EIGHT, KISS OF DEATH, LOSING ISAIAH and AMOS & ANDREW, RAGTIME, SEA OF LOVE, COMING TO AMERICA, DO THE RIGHT THING, SCHOOL DAZE, MO' BETTER BLUES, GOODFELLAS, STRICTLY BUSINESS, WHITE SANDS, PATRIOT GAMES, JUMPIN' AT THE BONEYARD, FATHER & SONS, JUICE, FRESH" and TRUE ROMANCE.
On television, Jackson starred in John Frankenheimer's Emmy-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.
Jackson's career began upon his graduation from Morehouse College in Atlanta with a degree in dramatic arts. He went on to perform in numerous stage plays, including HOME, A SOLDIER'S PLAY, SALLY/PRINCE and THE DISTRICT LINE. He also originated roles in two of August Wilson's plays at Yale Repertory Theatre. For the New York Shakespeare Festival, Jackson appeared in MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN, SPELL #7 and THE MIGHTY GENTS. While still a student at Morehouse, Jackson made his film debut in TOGETHER FOR DAYS.
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