He is one of the highest-grossing actors of all time, as the movies in which he has played some part have grossed between US$2.1 billion[1] and US$3.8 billion dollars[2]. It is generally accepted that this large disparity results from his having appeared in a number of small roles in very profitable movies and the choice of some sources to credit (or not) these films' grosses to an actor can change the outcome dramatically (as evidenced here). The figures quoted above put him between 8th and 1st on the list.

Jackson was born in Washington, D.C. He grew up as an only child, in the factory town of Chattanooga, Tennessee with his mother, Elizabeth Jackson (a factory worker and later a supply buyer for a mental institution), and his maternal grandparents and extended family. His father lived away from the family in Kansas City, Missouri and later died from alcoholism. Jackson went to a segregated school where, between 3rd and 12th grade, he played the French horn and trumpet in the school orchestra. He later attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, where he co-founded the "Just Us Theater". Jackson was expelled from the college for two years, although he did receive a Bachelor of Arts in Drama in 1972.

While attending Morehouse, Jackson, along with several fellow students, participated in a demonstration, taking over a campus space. Martin Luther King, Sr. was in the administration building during the takeover, and wasn't able to get out because of the students' demonstration. [3]. The protestors released the elder King when he complained of chest pains.

Jackson appeared in a few minor acting roles, including television work, and in 1976 moved to New York City, spending the next decade appearing in stage plays.

Jackson began appearing in feature films in the late 1980s, including a brief but memorable appearance in the 1988 Eddie Murphy comedy Coming to America, playing a shotgun-toting robber. His performance in Jungle Fever was so acclaimed that the 1991 Cannes Film Festival created a "Supporting Actor" award just for him. Along with that award, he has won many others including a Silver Berlin Bear, A BAFTA Film Award, and two Independent Spirit Awards.

Jackson is perhaps best known for his roles in the Quentin Tarantino movies Pulp Fiction and Jackie Brown, the Spike Lee movies Do The Right Thing, Mo' Better Blues and Jungle Fever, his role in the remake of Shaft and as Jedi Mace Windu in the Star Wars prequel trilogy. He is usually cast in roles that involve a cool, controlled, "in-the-know" character, many of whom have an aggressive nature. His roles almost always involve a memorable line delivery; Jackson's trademark voice inflection lend heavily to this attribute.

In 1995, Jackson received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role as "Jules Winnfield" in 1994's Pulp Fiction.

On June 13th, 2000, Jackson was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame which can be found at 7018 Hollywood Blvd.

In 2005, Jackson publically turned down an offer to co-star in rapper 50 Cent's acting debut [4], citing that he did not want to lend credence to an unproven actor. Film critic Roger Ebert wrote of Jackson's decision: "Like Bill Cosby, Jackson is arguing against the anti-intellectual message that success for young black males is better sought in the worlds of rap and sports than in the classroom" [5].

On January 30th, 2006, Jackson was honored with a hand and footprint ceremony at Grauman's Chinese Theatre; he is the 7th African American and 191st actor to be recognized in this manner. Jackson's next film will be Snakes on a Plane, a thriller scheduled for release on August 18, 2006. The film has generated interest based on its title, and Jackson has admitted that the film's title was the reason he agreed to star in it, saying "Snakes on a Plane. You either want to see that, or you don't".[1]

Jackson's upcoming films also include Home of the Brave, a post-Iraq War drama co-starring rapper 50 Cent (with whom Jackson had previously refused to appear), and Farce of the Penguins, a parody on the popular documentary March of the Penguins. Jackson will also play a prominent role in Jumper, a sci-fi thriller based on the novel by Steven Gould.

Right after graduating from Morehouse, Jackson was seen in a McDonald's TV commercial in the early 1970s.

Jackson gave his consent for Marvel Comics to design their "Ultimate" version of the character Nick Fury after his likeness. [citation needed]

Jackson once made a cameo appearance on the television show, Bill Nye the Science Guy, where he explained the physics of the dimples on a golf ball.

Jackson has been parodied twice on Chappelle's Show. He was played by comedian Dave Chappelle in sketches involving Mace Windu and a fake commercial peddling "Samuel Jackson" beer (a parody of Samuel Adams). He has also been spoofed in the film, Team America: World Police, where he was portrayed as a villanous member of the Film Actors Guild, and was referenced on the animated television show, Family Guy, as one of the characters declared that "Samuel L. Jackson is in everything" (pointing to Jackson's extensive filmography) at which point Brian Griffin is shown directing Jackson in a pornographic movie. Jackson also recently guest-starred as himself in an episode of the BBC / HBO sitcom Extras, the second major project of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant (of The Office fame).

Jackson recently lent his voice to the character "Gin Rummy" in two episodes of the animated series The Boondocks. On one episode, he paid tribute to his Pulp Fiction character, Jules Winnfield, by reenacting the "What?" scene from the movie. He also voiced the main antagonist of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Officer Frank Tenpenny. He is also slated to voice the lead role in an upcoming anime series, Afro Samurai.

Jackson is married to actress Latanya Richardson, whom he met while attending Morehouse College; they have a daughter, Zoe.

Jackson, a vegetarian, is an avid basketball fan, and especially prefers the Harlem Globetrotters. He also enjoys playing golf, a game he has been reported to have become very proficient at. Jackson also became an avid Liverpool F.C. fan after filming the movie The 51st State in Liverpool, England.