The sure sign of a legendary acting career is when fans have a hard time pinpointing your peak; a filmography with so many flashes of brilliance that endless debates are sparked about said actor’s “crowning achievement.” Samuel L. Jackson’s career often sparks this kind of debate; in four decades, Jackson has never ceased to amaze audiences with his greatness.
Jackson has had one of the most prolific careers of any actor in the history of film; in fact, the veteran actor holds the second highest grossing film total of all time. In a catalog filled with blockbusters, Jackson has managed to make viewers both laugh and cry, and has more than cemented his place as the baddest motherfucker in Hollywood.
If we had to sum up Samuel L. Jackson in one word, it would be “versatile.” Not only has he taken on a variety of roles, he has thrived in each of them. His sheer conviction as Carl Lee Hailey in A Time To Kill allowed viewers to feel the pain of a man whose family had been shaken to its core by a hate crime. Then, just as easily, he turned around and won our hearts as Frozone in The Incredibles. Jackson’s range sets him apart from others in the industry, and allows different audiences to enjoy and appreciate his work..
A great actor is one who can bend and adapt to any role, while still retaining the core skills that make them so universally entertaining. Without further ado, here are the 25 best roles of Samuel L. Jackson’s career.