By Wonderwall.com Editors
8:15am PDT, Jun 11, 2019
What makes Samuel L. Jackson so cool? Besides every single thing about him? Seriously, have you ever met somebody who said, "I'm not a fan of Samuel L."? We haven't either. So in honor of the release of his newest film, "Shaft," on June 14, 2019, here are 15 reasons we think he's the baddest dude around… starting with his commitment to social justice. Long before he was famous, Samuel was involved in the civil rights movement. He was expelled from Morehouse College in 1969 for taking part in protests: The historically black college didn't have a single black member on its board of trustees. Morehouse eventually changed its policies and Samuel returned two years later to graduate with a degree in drama. Keep reading for more…
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14. He didn't make it big until he was years into his career
Samuel L. Jackson had small TV and movie roles as far back as 1972 (he also acted on the stage), but his career didn't blow up until more than two decades later. Along the way, filmmaker Spike Lee recognized his talent, and Samuel appeared in Spike's seminal movies. In fact, watching old films, you never know when you'll see Samuel walk across the screen. He's briefly in "Goodfellas," "Sea of Love" and "Coming to America." In 1981's "Ragtime," he played Gang Member No. 2. (He's pictured on the far left.) Who was his acting mentor back in the day? Morgan Freeman.
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13. He's a survivor
In the early years of Samuel L. Jackson's career, drugs almost destroyed his life. He battled alcohol and cocaine addiction and overdosed on heroin more than once. It wasn't until 1991 that he completed rehab. He drew on his experiences with substance abuse to play a crack cocaine addict in Spike Lee's "Jungle Fever" that same year.
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12. "Pulp Fiction"
"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." –Ezekiel 25: 17. What else do we have to say? Samuel L. Jackson in "Pulp Fiction" was everything.
11. He turns profanity into poetry
This is a G-rated gallery, so we can't say the word that Samuel L. Jackson made his own. It used to be, pure and simple, one of the worst bits of profanity available to an English speaker. But when he says it, it sounds like an operatic aria. It turns out, however, that there's a reason for his salty language: Samuel grew up with a stutter, which he still has today. That four-syllable word is the mantra he uses to keep the stutter at bay.
10. Fashion, fashion, fashion, fashion, hats
The dude just turned 70, and he can pull off formal, casual, golf… One day he's sporting a Nehru jacket, the next day he's in a tuxedo topped off with a Kangol hat. Go ahead, try to dress with the kind of flair he does — but there's only one man who can pull off the Samuel L. Collection.
9. He's a family man
Samuel L. Jackson has put just as much effort into his personal life as he has his professional one. He's been married to LaTanya Richardson since 1980. The two met in college and welcomed their daughter, Zoe, in 1982. In 2020, they'll celebrate 40 years of marriage (that's an eternity in Hollywood years)! "I'm in a revolutionary family. That's who we were. We always wanted to be that," Sam told Essence of his marriage.
8. He's versatile
Hitman, Jedi, bluesman, superhero… Samuel L. Jackson is one actor you can't pin down. He also wears an eye patch well.
7. He's not afraid to take career risks
For most successful actors — and Samuel L. Jackson is one of the most successful on the planet — a movie like "Snakes on a Plane" would be Kryptonite. But that's not the case for him. He has what any other actor would kill for: the freedom to take on a role in a silly movie like 2006's "Snakes" without fear of bringing his career to a screeching halt. How does he do it? The same way he can wear anything he wants: He's Samuel L. Jackson!
6. He's a moneymaker
Yes, that's right. Samuel L. Jackson is all about the benjamins. In fact, he's the highest all-time box office star as his films have made more than $6.7 billion in U.S. box office gross (that means he averages $87 million per movie)!
5. He supports his friends
Samuel L. Jackson is not a fair-weather friend. The A-list actor boasts Denzel Washington, Bruce Willis, Brie Larson and Magic Johnson (with whom he often vacations) as close pals. When one of his besties and frequent collaborators, Spike Lee, won his first Oscar in 2019, Samuel made sure to properly congratulate him with a giant bear hug. We love it!
4. He's an avid golfer
Where can you find Samuel L. Jackson on his days off? On the golf course! The actor loves the sport so much that he has a clause in his film contracts that allows him to play golf during film shoots. He's competed in multiple tournaments including the Gary Player Invitational charity golf tournament and the 2018 Ryder Cup Celebrity Challenge Match (pictured here).
3. He's a social media pro
Samuel L. Jackson might be in his 70s but he's still hip with the times! The "Avengers" franchise star has built quite the following on social media — he has more than 8 million Twitter followers and 5 million Instagram followers. He often shares hilarious commentary on politics, sports and everything in between, such as his tweet about Tiger Woods' 2019 Masters win: "TIGER TIGER WOODS YALL!!!!!!!!! As People's would say, 'Tiger Woo, I like he'!"
2. He rocks his bald head proudly
No hair plugs for Samuel L. Jackson! The "Glass" star has proudly rocked a bald head in real life since at least the 1980s. "I keep ending up on those bald is beautiful lists. It's cool," he told Monsters & Critics. "You know, when I started losing my hair, it was during the era when everybody had lots of hair. All of a sudden I felt this big hole in the middle of my afro, I couldn't face having a comb over so I had to quickly figure what the haircut for me was." You made a great choice, Sam!
1. He gives back
Samuel L. Jackson is committed to charity. He's contributed to a host of causes over the years including HIV/AIDs, testicular cancer and Alzheimer's disease, an illness that hits close to home. "My grandfather was the first [family member] to be affected," he told The Hollywood Reporter. "He was my best friend when I was growing up. It was heartbreaking to reach a point where he didn't know who I was." The actor's uncle, mother and aunt were soon diagnosed with the disease as well, leading to his work with the Alzheimer's Association. "I don't think anybody should suffer the heartbreak of having someone who has nurtured you, taken care of you and loves you reach a point where they can't even call your name."
