Samuel L. Jackson, Host The 2009 ESPYs

EDITOR'S NOTE:  Photos of Samuel L. Jackson are available.

Respectfully labeled as one of the hardest working actors in Hollywood, Jackson is an undisputed star as demonstrated in the fact that his films have grossed the most money in box office sales than any other actor in the history of filmmaking.

The recipient of worldwide acclaim and notoriety, Jackson has been honored with a variety of awards from some of the most prestigious organizations.  He won the Best Supporting Actor award by the Cannes Film Festival in 1991 for “Jungle Fever”, the Silver Bear Award at the Berlin Film Festival in 1998 on behalf of “Jackie Brown,”  he has received three Golden Globe nominations for “Pulp Fiction,” “A Time to Kill” and “Jackie Brown,” five NAACP Image Award nominations and one win in 2005 for his performance in “Coach Carter”, and most recently he has garnered two People’s Choice Award nominations in 2006 and 2007 for Favorite Male Actor.  Jackson was just honored in December 2008 by the prestigious American Cinematheque as their recipient of a Career Achievement Award, following the likes of Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro and George Clooney.

Jackson made an indelible mark on American cinema with his portrayal of ‘Jules’, the philosophizing hitman, in Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction.”  In addition to unanimous critical acclaim for his performance, he received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations as Best Supporting Actor as well as a Best Supporting Actor award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

Among his many award-winning performances, Jackson made movie history with his portrayal of a crack addict in Spike Lee’s “Jungle Fever” when he was awarded the first and only Best Supporting Performance Award ever given by the judges at the Cannes Film Festival.

This past Fall, Jackson’s films included the Neil LaBute thriller “Lakeview Terrace,” which premiered at the Deauville Film Festival, followed by the Dimension Studios comedy “Soul Men” alongside the late Bernie Mac.  He most recently starred in the Frank Miller action drama “The Spirit”, where he portrayed the nemesis, “Octopus.”

Jackson just completed filming the drama “Unthinkable” directed by Gregor Jordan and produced by Cotty Chubb, co-starring Michael Sheen. He also filmed a supporting role in the drama “Mother and Child” directed by Rodrigo Garcia. Jackson will begin filming “Rape: A Love Story” with Maria Bello sometime this year; the film is based on the 2003 novel by Joyce Carol Oates.

Jackson made a surprise cameo appearance in the 2008 blockbuster hit “Iron Man” and has signed on to reprise the Marvel character “Nick Fury”(the head of “S.H.I.E.L.D”) in the next eight films. He also starred in the Doug Liman directed sci-fi, action film, “Jumper.” Inlate 2007, Jackson had a starring role in the acclaimed drama “Resurrecting the Champ,” and a co-starring role in the very successful horror film for the Weinstein Co. “1408” based on the Stephen King novel. Earlier that year, Jackson starred in the Craig Brewer film “Black Snake Moan” and  Irwin Winkler’s MGM war drama “Home of the Brave.”

Other film credits include “Cleaner,” “Snakes on a Plane,” “Coach Carter,” “Star Wars” trilogy, “In My Country,” “The Man,” “The Incredibles,” “S.W.A.T.,” “Formula 51,” “Changing Lanes,” “Caveman’s Valentine,” “Red Violin,” “Shaft,” “Unbreakable,” “187,” “Eve’s Bayou” (which he also produced),  “Jackie Brown,” “The Negotiator,” “A Time To Kill,” “Die Hard with a Vengeance”, “The Long Kiss Goodnight” and “Deep Blue Sea.”

On the small screen, Jackson serves as Executive Producer for the animated series for Spike TV, “Afro Samurai”, which premiered in 2007 and returned for a third season in January 2009. The first edition of the “Afro Samurai” video game launched in February 2009. In 2008, Jackson secured a first look television deal with CBS and their properties to develop and produce upcoming projects.

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