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If ever there was a recognizable face on the silver screen, Samuel L. Jackson is it. With over 100 films under his belt, the Tennessee-raised actor has left an unforgettable mark on cinema screens and televisions all over the world. Whether you’re a fan of action, drama, thriller or comedy genres, Jackson’s natural, no-nonsense, brash delivery of his character lines makes him an iconic favorite among casting directors.
He’s a busy actor, so choosing Sam’s best movies is no easy feat. See if you agree with our choices of the best Samuel L. Jackson roles:
1. Pulp Fiction (1994)
While portraying crack addict Gator Purify in Spike Lee’s 1991 “Jungle Fever” brought him mainstream recognition, it was Jackson’s role as the foul-mouthed, philosophical hitman Jules Winnfield in Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction” that thrust him into the public eye. He earned his only Oscar nomination for the role, though he later won an honorary statuette for his contributions to the industry.
As one of the three main protagonists in “Pulp Fiction,” Samuel L. Jackson holds his own with movie veterans John Travolta and Bruce Willis to cement Jules deep into Hollywood folklore. He delivers some truly unforgettable lines in a way only he could, resulting in a masterful performance.
Memorable line: “And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy My brothers. And you will know I am the Lord when I lay My vengeance upon you.”
2. Django Unchained (2012)
Jackson described the character of Stephen, whom he plays in “Django Unchained,” as the “most hated negro in cinematic history” and quite possibly the most evil character he has ever portrayed. He completes the task as the head house slave of a sadistic Mississippi plantation owner so well that you’ll sometimes wonder who wears the pants — him or the talented Leonardo DiCaprio as his white master.
Samuel L. Jackson acts in six Quentin Tarantino-scripted films, while providing narration in a seventh. Of these, “Django Unchained” is fifth and among the most memorable for the manipulative and intelligent, racially treacherous qualities that Stephen brings to the screen.
Memorable line: “Just who the hell you callin’ ‘Snowball,’ hoss boy? I’ll snatch yo black ass off dat nag down here in the mud so fast make yo head spin!”
3. The Incredibles (2004)
In the highly rated 2004 animated classic, “The Incredibles,” Jackson voices the part of Lucius Best, the best friend of Mr. Incredible and fellow superhero, the ice-manipulating crime-fighter Frozone. Although playing a supportive role to the Parr, or Incredibles, family, Best’s laid-back, witty and stylish personality typifies that of Jackson in many ways, allowing him to bring a natural flow to his animated character.
Samuel L. Jackson’s delivery of his lines provides the perfect foil for his sometimes-hotheaded, internalizing and stubborn best friend, voiced by Craig T. Nelson. Their contrasting characters, coupled with true loyalty in testing circumstances, are primary reasons that this animated feature works so well.
Memorable line: “Where is my super suit?”
4. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Reprising his role of Nick Fury, first seen uncredited in 2008’s “Iron Man” and in many Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) features since, Jackson plays a more prominent role in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” as the master spy and former S.H.I.E.L.D. director than ever before. While MCU fans were already familiar with Fury, Jackson now had the chance to explore the character’s depth pivotally.
Portraying the beloved MCU character synonymous with his black trenchcoat and eyepatch, Jackson took on the quest to reveal a side of Nick Fury as more than the seasoned spy dealing with cosmic threats. He allowed MCU fans to better identify with the character through his personal portrayal — and loved how he got to cut his way out of a car.
Memorable line: “S.H.I.E.L.D. takes the world as it is, not as we’d like it to be. And it’s getting damn near past time for you to get with that program, Cap.”
5. Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015)
As the eccentric billionaire eco-terrorist Richmond Valentine, Samuel L. Jackson has to wear colorful suits and designer shoes and speak with a pronounced lisp throughout “Kingsman: The Secret Service.” His misguided plan to remedy climate change involves dispensing free cellular SIM cards that induce uncontrollable fits of rage in their users under the guise of free internet access.
Jackson portrays the clearly genocidal tech mogul menacingly, highlighting his apparent bloodlust, despite his squeamishness at the sight of it. By the end of the movie, you’ll be happy to see Valentine’s demise, if only because Samuel L. Jackson’s acting has created a character worthy of revilement.
Memorable line: “You know what this is like? It’s like those old movies we both love. Now, I’m going to tell you my whole plan, and then I’m going to come up with some absurd and convoluted way to kill you, and you’ll find an equally convoluted way to escape.”
6. Die Hard With a Vengeance (1995)
Jackson’s on-screen banter with co-star Bruce Willis in “Die Hard With a Vengeance,” the third film in the popular “Die Hard” franchise, was undoubtedly one of the movie’s highlights. Playing Zeus Carver, a Harlem shop owner caught up in the mayhem involving Willis’s John McClane and Jeremy Irons’s villain, Peter Gruber, Zeus unwittingly partners with McClane.
Not for the first or last time in movies with Samuel L. Jackson, the witty, outspoken and abrasive nature of the “Vengeance” script lends well to Jackson’s acting strengths and the passionate delivery of lines by all three leads. For once, Jackson gets to play the skeptical voice of reason, which he described as close to his real-life personality.
Memorable line: “Wait a minute. You mean to tell me I’m in this shit ’cause some white cop threw some white asshole’s brother off a roof?”
7. Coach Carter (2005)
Based on a true story, Jackson plays Ken Carter, a high school basketball coach who made national headlines for locking his undefeated 1999 Richmond High team out of the gym for failing to maintain their academic contracts. He takes on the role as the uncompromising, disciplined and stern yet warm coach with aplomb, fully transferring his genuine concern for his team’s progression in life to the big screen.
Samuel L. Jackson thrives in his role as an authoritative yet empathetic father figure to the young men in his care, despite the backlash he receives from many of their parents and the community at large. His portrayal of Coach Carter highlights his mentorship in promoting accountability, discipline and integrity among his players as he prepares them for life after school, preferably competing and achieving in college basketball surroundings.
Memorable line: “If these boys cannot honor the simple rules of a basketball contract, how long do you think it will be before they’re out there breaking the law? I played ball here at Richmond High 30 years ago. It was the same thing then; some of my teammates went to prison, some of them even ended up dead. If you vote to end the lockout, you won’t have to terminate me; I’ll quit.”
Why is Samuel L. Jackson a Star?
Through his huge number and variety of movie and TV roles, Samuel L. Jackson consistently provides one thing to his viewers — professionalism. No matter the part he’s playing, Jackson delivers his lines flawlessly with character, always sure to add something distinctly his own to each. For this reason, moviegoers and critics alike will remember this consummate professional.
