Samuel L. Jackson is a highly prolific American actor and producer, best known for his roles in films such as Pulp Fiction, the Star Wars prequel trilogy, Shaft, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
He discovered his passion for acting at Morehouse College, where he was active in the black student movement and later joined the Negro Ensemble Company.
Jackson’s breakthrough role came in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction, earning him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
With over 100 film credits, he has become one of the highest-grossing actors of all time, with films collectively grossing over $27 billion worldwide.
Net worth | $250 million |
Profession | Actor |
Date of birth | December 21, 1948 |
Nationality | American |
Background
Jackson was born on December 21, 1948, in Washington, D.C., to factory worker Elizabeth Jackson.
Roy abandoned the family shortly after Samuel’s birth.
Raised by his mother and maternal grandparents in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Jackson attended Riverside High School and later pursued a degree in dramatic arts at Morehouse College.
Elizabeth worked as a factory worker and later as a supplies buyer at a mental institution.
Jackson’s maternal grandparents were Edgar and Pearl Montgomery. His father, Roy, lived separately and died from alcoholism.
Jackson’s upbringing was marked by segregation and a strong emphasis on education and discipline.
Net worth
Jackson has an estimated net worth of around $250 million as of 2023, according to various sources.
This amount includes the income from his acting career, endorsements and various investments.
He is known for his work in blockbuster movies, including the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and has been reported as the most expensive actor in the world.
Salary
Jackson is one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood, known for his iconic roles in various blockbuster movies.
His salary for movies typically ranges from $10 million to $20 million per film, making him a highly sought-after actor in the industry.
For instance, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Jackson earned $10 million for his role as Nick Fury in the first Iron Man film.
His salary increased to $20 million for the sequel, Iron Man 2, and he earned a similar amount for his role in the Avengers films.
Similarly, in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, Jackson reportedly earned $5 million for his role as Jedi Master Mace Windu in The Phantom Menace.
His salary increased to $6 million for Attack of the Clones and $7 million for Revenge of the Sith, reflecting his growing influence and popularity in the industry.
Real estate
Jackson and his wife, LaTanya, have owned several impressive real estate properties.
They owned an 11,738-square-foot estate in the Beverly Park neighborhood of Beverly Hills, California, which they purchased from actress Roseanne Barr for nearly $8.4 million.
The luxurious property featured six bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a living room adorned with artworks, a dining area, a family room with a fireplace, an office displaying Jackson’s achievements, Muhammad Ali’s autographed gloves and a master bedroom.
The estate also included a guest house that Jackson converted into a screening room with a popcorn maker and more amenities.
The couple also purchased a 3,000-square-foot, 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath condo in New York’s Upper East Side in a Beaux-Arts style building called The Leonori.
They bought this property in 2005 for $4.8 million. The condo featured a formal dining room, an entertaining space, an eat-in kitchen, a wet bar, den and two guest bedrooms.
They listed this property for sale in late 2018 for $13 million.
In Los Angeles, the Jacksons transformed their Tudor-style house with designer Cecil N. Hayes.
The house featured various artworks, including pieces by Jacob Lawrence and Samuel Akainyah, a portrait by their daughter Zoé Jackson and a screening room.
The guesthouse on the property was equipped with leather rocking chairs, a sofa, a mahogany cabinet, a popcorn maker and a cigar box.
The property was a hub for informal gatherings and benefits hosted by the Jacksons.
Car collection
Jackson’s car collection is as versatile as the man himself.
It includes a simple yet efficient Toyota Camry, which he purchased for around $34,700 and was seen driving in 2016.
He also has a powerful car, which is showcased in a video on YouTube.
According to TEN OVER TEN, Jackson is a fan of the Toyota Camry, and he has been seen driving it.
Jackson’s car collection is not limited to these two vehicles, as he has a variety of cars, including luxury and sports cars.
Career
Jackson began his acting career on stage and gained prominence in the early 1990s with films such as Patriot Games, Amos & Andrew, True Romance, Jurassic Park and his collaborations with Quentin Tarantino, including Pulp Fiction and Jackie Brown.
His breakout performance as Jules Winnfield in Pulp Fiction earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Jackson has since become one of the highest-grossing actors of all time, with films collectively grossing over $27 billion worldwide.
He has appeared in over 150 roles, lending his charisma, talent, and bravado to movies across various genres, from Marvel to biopics, gripping thrillers and animation.
In addition to his film work, Jackson has also made significant contributions to the stage, including his professional theatre debut in Mother Courage and Her Children in 1980 and his portrayal of Martin Luther King Jr. in the Broadway play The Mountaintop in 2011.
He has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, cementing his status as a cultural icon and a masterclass in black excellence.
Awards and accolades
Jackson received the Academy Honorary Award for lifetime achievement in 2022.
He has been nominated for four Golden Globe Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Tony Award.
Jackson won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Pulp Fiction, the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the Berlin International Film Festival for Jackie Brown, and the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival for Jungle Fever.
He has also won two Independent Spirit Awards and has been nominated for several Satellite Awards.
In 2021, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences named Jackson as one of its Academy Honorary Award recipients as “A cultural icon whose dynamic work has resonated across genres and generations.”
Philanthropic efforts
Jackson has supported several charities, including 21st Century Leaders, AmberWatch Foundation, Artists for a New South Africa, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Cancer Research Institute.
He has also supported Champions for Children, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Friars Foundation, Greater Than AIDS, Hilarity for Charity, Listen Campaign, Los Angeles Police Memorial Foundation, Luke Neuhedel Foundation and Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Jackson’s philanthropic efforts extend to causes such as abuse, adoption, fostering, orphans, AIDS & HIV, Alzheimer’s disease, at-risk/disadvantaged youths, blood, marrow & organ donation, cancer, children, conservation, creative arts, disaster relief, economic/business support, education, emergency services, environment, family/parent support, health, homelessness, human rights, hunger, literacy, mental challenges, miscellaneous, missing children, Parkinson’s disease, peace, physical challenges, poverty, rape/sexual abuse, refugees, veteran/service member support and water.
Personal life
Jackson is married to LaTanya Richardson Jackson, and they have one daughter named Zoe Jackson.
LaTanya Richardson Jackson is an accomplished actress and producer, known for her work on stage and screen.
The couple met in college and have been together for over four decades, with Zoe being born in 1982.
Zoe Jackson, their daughter, is an Emmy Award-winning producer who has worked on various TV shows like Project Runway, Top Chef and RuPaul’s Drag Race.