Childhood & Early Life

Samuel Leroy Jackson was born on December 21, 1948, in Washington, D.C. He was raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, primarily by his mother, Elizabeth, who worked in a factory. His father, Roy Henry Jackson, lived separately from the family and later passed away due to complications from alcoholism. Samuel met him only twice in his lifetime.

To help support the household, his maternal grandparents, Edgar and Pearl Montgomery, played an instrumental role in his upbringing. During his early years, Jackson attended segregated schools and later graduated from Riverside High School. He was musically inclined, playing the French horn and trumpet in the school orchestra. Additionally, he struggled with a stutter during childhood, a condition he gradually overcame.

Initially, Jackson intended to study marine biology but discovered a passion for acting while attending Morehouse College in Atlanta. He joined a local acting group for extra academic credit, which sparked his interest in the craft. Before graduating in 1972, he co-founded the ‘Just Us Theatre,’ a move that set the stage for his future in entertainment.

Career Milestones

Jackson made his film debut in the 1972 drama Together for Days and appeared in the television series Movin' On in 1976. After relocating to New York, he immersed himself in stage work and small film roles. Mentored by Morgan Freeman, Jackson began landing more substantial roles in the late 1980s, including appearances in Spike Lee's School Daze (1988) and Do the Right Thing (1989). In 1990, he played a minor role in Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas.

His breakthrough came in 1994 with the role of Jules Winnfield in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. His performance received critical acclaim and international recognition. Tarantino specifically wrote the role with Jackson in mind, and the part earned Jackson nominations for Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes. He went on to win the BAFTA Award in the same category for that role.