Life in Film: Samuel L. Jackson

Check out the BET Awards nominee's career on screen.

Super Bad - Performing in an average of four films per year, Samuel L. Jackson is, indeed, the hardest working man in Hollywood. And, last year, the Guinness Book of World Records agreed, naming him the highest grossing actor of all time, with his films collectively making more than $7.4 billion. Here's a look at his body of work.(Photo: Goodloe/PictureGroup)

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Super Bad - Performing in an average of four films per year, Samuel L. Jackson is, indeed, the hardest working man in Hollywood. And, last year, the Guinness Book of World Records agreed, naming him the highest grossing actor of all time, with his films collectively making more than $7.4 billion. Here's a look at his body of work.(Photo: Goodloe/PictureGroup)

Coming to America (1988) - For one of his first films, Samuel L. Jackson was cast in the small but memorable role of the stick-up man in Coming to America. Jackson's portrayal of the antsy, wide-eyed, shotgun-wielding guy holding up McDowell's was believable and intense. Eddie Murphy disarming him with a mop handle, not so much.(Photo: Courtesy Paramount Pictures)

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Coming to America (1988) - For one of his first films, Samuel L. Jackson was cast in the small but memorable role of the stick-up man in Coming to America. Jackson's portrayal of the antsy, wide-eyed, shotgun-wielding guy holding up McDowell's was believable and intense. Eddie Murphy disarming him with a mop handle, not so much.(Photo: Courtesy Paramount Pictures)

School Daze (1988) - Wanting to illustrate the tension between Black college students and Black Atlanta locals, Spike Lee cast Jackson as Leeds, a Jheri curl-wearing street tough guy who tried to remind a Black student leader (Laurence Fishburne) that he's just a n----r. Again, a classic performance.(Photo: Courtesy Columbia Pictures)

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School Daze (1988) - Wanting to illustrate the tension between Black college students and Black Atlanta locals, Spike Lee cast Jackson as Leeds, a Jheri curl-wearing street tough guy who tried to remind a Black student leader (Laurence Fishburne) that he's just a n----r. Again, a classic performance.(Photo: Courtesy Columbia Pictures)

Do the Right Thing (1989) - In Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing, which illuminated the ethnic tensions of a Brooklyn neighborhood, Jackson played Mister Señor Love Daddy, a radio DJ who worked to keep folks level-headed and in the groove.(Photo: Courtesy 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks)

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Do the Right Thing (1989) - In Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing, which illuminated the ethnic tensions of a Brooklyn neighborhood, Jackson played Mister Señor Love Daddy, a radio DJ who worked to keep folks level-headed and in the groove.(Photo: Courtesy 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks)

Photo By Courtesy 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks

Goodfellas (1990) - Jackson got to work with veteran director Martin Scorcese on the classic gangster flick Goodfellas. Playing mob associate Stacks Edwards, Jackson showed he could even die well when Joe Pesci blew his brains out for botching an important assignment.(Photo: Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures)

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Goodfellas (1990) - Jackson got to work with veteran director Martin Scorcese on the classic gangster flick Goodfellas. Playing mob associate Stacks Edwards, Jackson showed he could even die well when Joe Pesci blew his brains out for botching an important assignment.(Photo: Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures)

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Jungle Fever (1991) - After successfully completing a drug rehab program, Jackson ironically landed the role of an addict, which garnered him critical acclaim. As Gator Purify in Jungle Fever, Jackson played the crack-addicted brother of Wesley Snipes. And who could forget the Gator dance?(Photo: Courtesy 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks)

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Jungle Fever (1991) - After successfully completing a drug rehab program, Jackson ironically landed the role of an addict, which garnered him critical acclaim. As Gator Purify in Jungle Fever, Jackson played the crack-addicted brother of Wesley Snipes. And who could forget the Gator dance?(Photo: Courtesy 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks)

Juice (1992) - In this vehicle that launched Tupac as a film star (and cinematic thug soldier), Jackson was the perfect street info man in the role of Trip. His keen ear to the street would put Starsky & Hutch's Huggy Bear to shame.(Photo: Courtesy Island World)

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Juice (1992) - In this vehicle that launched Tupac as a film star (and cinematic thug soldier), Jackson was the perfect street info man in the role of Trip. His keen ear to the street would put Starsky & Hutch's Huggy Bear to shame.(Photo: Courtesy Island World)

Jurassic Park (1993) - For Jurassic Park, Jackson moved away from the street types he usually played. Cast as Ray Arnold, the rising actor played a computer whiz that helped man the technology controlling a dinosaur park.(Photo: Courtesy Universal Pictures)

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Jurassic Park (1993) - For Jurassic Park, Jackson moved away from the street types he usually played. Cast as Ray Arnold, the rising actor played a computer whiz that helped man the technology controlling a dinosaur park.(Photo: Courtesy Universal Pictures)

Pulp Fiction (1994) - Director Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction marked Samuel L. Jackson's arrival as both a film star and one of Hollywood's coolest actors. He was nominated for a best supporting actor Oscar after playing Jules Winnfield, a hit man with a conscience and penchant for Bible verses. (Photo: Courtesy Miramax Films)

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Pulp Fiction (1994) - Director Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction marked Samuel L. Jackson's arrival as both a film star and one of Hollywood's coolest actors. He was nominated for a best supporting actor Oscar after playing Jules Winnfield, a hit man with a conscience and penchant for Bible verses. (Photo: Courtesy Miramax Films)

Losing Isaiah (1995) - Jackson was cast as lawyer Kadar Lewis in this drama about a former crack addict (Halle Berry) who attempts to regain custody of her son who has been adopted.(Photo: Courtesy Paramount Pictures)

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Losing Isaiah (1995) - Jackson was cast as lawyer Kadar Lewis in this drama about a former crack addict (Halle Berry) who attempts to regain custody of her son who has been adopted.(Photo: Courtesy Paramount Pictures)

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A Time to Kill (1996) - In this adaptation of a John Grisham novel, Jackson was a father on trial for killing two white supremacists fingered for raping and beating his 10-year-old daughter. Of course, the film's famous line is delivered by Jackson, who screams in court: "Yes, they deserve to die! And I hope they burn in hell!"(Photo: Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures)

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A Time to Kill (1996) - In this adaptation of a John Grisham novel, Jackson was a father on trial for killing two white supremacists fingered for raping and beating his 10-year-old daughter. Of course, the film's famous line is delivered by Jackson, who screams in court: "Yes, they deserve to die! And I hope they burn in hell!"(Photo: Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures)

Eve's Bayou (1996) - Now established as a Hollywood power player, Jackson stepped into the role of producer for Eve's Bayou. He also starred in this drama set in Louisiana, playing a doctor whose daughter witnesses him having an affair.(Photo: Courtesy Trimark Pictures)

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Eve's Bayou (1996) - Now established as a Hollywood power player, Jackson stepped into the role of producer for Eve's Bayou. He also starred in this drama set in Louisiana, playing a doctor whose daughter witnesses him having an affair.(Photo: Courtesy Trimark Pictures)

The Phantom Menace (1999) - Thanks to George Lucas, Jackson became the second baddest man in the universe (next to Yoda) when he was cast in the Star Wars  prequel. As Jedi Master and Council member, Mace Windu, Jackson was the third Black actor cast in the iconic series.(Photo: Courtesy Lucasfilm)

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The Phantom Menace (1999) - Thanks to George Lucas, Jackson became the second baddest man in the universe (next to Yoda) when he was cast in the Star Wars  prequel. As Jedi Master and Council member, Mace Windu, Jackson was the third Black actor cast in the iconic series.(Photo: Courtesy Lucasfilm)

Shaft (2000) - Who else but Hollywood's baddest Black actor could play the lead in this update of the blaxploitation classic? Jackson is John Shaft, nephew of the 1970s original, out to bring a racist real estate tycoon to justice for murder.(Photo: Courtesy Paramount Pictures)

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Shaft (2000) - Who else but Hollywood's baddest Black actor could play the lead in this update of the blaxploitation classic? Jackson is John Shaft, nephew of the 1970s original, out to bring a racist real estate tycoon to justice for murder.(Photo: Courtesy Paramount Pictures)

Attack of The Clones (2002) - Returning as Mace Windu, Jackson was a Jedi Master who warily watched the Galactic Senate's politics come under fire in this tale of how Darth Vader and Obi-Wan Kenobi came to be.(Photo: Courtesy Lucasfilm)

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Attack of The Clones (2002) - Returning as Mace Windu, Jackson was a Jedi Master who warily watched the Galactic Senate's politics come under fire in this tale of how Darth Vader and Obi-Wan Kenobi came to be.(Photo: Courtesy Lucasfilm)

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Snakes on a Plane (2006) - Jackson starred in this thriller about an FBI agent traveling on a plane filled with deadly snakes, deliberately released to kill a witness being flown from Honolulu to Los Angeles to testify against a mob boss. Capitalizing on Jackson's yelling and cussin' skills, the film offers the classic line: "I have had it with these motherf--king snakes on this motherf--king plane!"(Photo: Courtesy New Line Cinema)

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Snakes on a Plane (2006) - Jackson starred in this thriller about an FBI agent traveling on a plane filled with deadly snakes, deliberately released to kill a witness being flown from Honolulu to Los Angeles to testify against a mob boss. Capitalizing on Jackson's yelling and cussin' skills, the film offers the classic line: "I have had it with these motherf--king snakes on this motherf--king plane!"(Photo: Courtesy New Line Cinema)

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) - Jackson lent his voice—playing Mace Windu—to this animated Star Wars tale about heroic Jedi Knights struggling to maintain order and restore peace as the Clone Wars sweep through the galaxy.(Photo: Courtesy Lucasfilm)

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Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) - Jackson lent his voice—playing Mace Windu—to this animated Star Wars tale about heroic Jedi Knights struggling to maintain order and restore peace as the Clone Wars sweep through the galaxy.(Photo: Courtesy Lucasfilm)

The Mountaintop (2011) - For the stage play The Mountaintop, Jackson returned to Broadway, playing the role of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in this production which fictionalized his last night alive at the Lorraine Motel. Co-starring Angela Bassett, the play displayed a more humanistic, down-to-earth side of the civil rights legend. (Photo: Courtesy Ambassador Theatre Group)

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The Mountaintop (2011) - For the stage play The Mountaintop, Jackson returned to Broadway, playing the role of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in this production which fictionalized his last night alive at the Lorraine Motel. Co-starring Angela Bassett, the play displayed a more humanistic, down-to-earth side of the civil rights legend. (Photo: Courtesy Ambassador Theatre Group)

The Avengers (2012) - Starring as Nick Fury in the Iron Man franchise, Jackson will reprise his role as the commander of S.H.I.E.L.D in this blockbuster, bringing together a team of super humans to form The Avengers to help save the Earth from the evil Loki and his army.(Photo: Courtesy Marvel Studios)

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The Avengers (2012) - Starring as Nick Fury in the Iron Man franchise, Jackson will reprise his role as the commander of S.H.I.E.L.D in this blockbuster, bringing together a team of super humans to form The Avengers to help save the Earth from the evil Loki and his army.(Photo: Courtesy Marvel Studios)

Django Unchained (2012) - In what is sure to be a controversial film centered around slaves, Jackson plays an old loyal house slave to a plantation owner whom he raised since birth.  Directed by Quentin Tarantino, the film also stars Jamie Foxx and Kerry Washington.(Photo: Courtesy Columbia Pictures)

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Django Unchained (2012) - In what is sure to be a controversial film centered around slaves, Jackson plays an old loyal house slave to a plantation owner whom he raised since birth.  Directed by Quentin Tarantino, the film also stars Jamie Foxx and Kerry Washington.(Photo: Courtesy Columbia Pictures)