The best Samuel L. Jackson roles

Jackson can do comedy. And do it well. In this National Lampoon spoof of the Lethal Weapon franchise and other action cop films, Jackson's straight-laced, somewhat by-the-book, is comically entertaining enough to make this list, though hardly the pinnacle of his comedic work. It's not a role that quickly comes to mind when bringing up Jackson's filmography, but his performance is far more likable than the forced, over-the-top antics of co-star Emilio Estevez. 

In the Jurassic Park novel, the dinosaur theme park's highly intelligent systems engineer is referred to as John Arnold. In the film, Jackson's highly stressed, chain-smoking Arnold is addressed as Ray, not in the long film. However, a severe storm wreaks havoc on the island and Arnold shuts down and restarts the power to the park ("Hold on to your butts."), he essentially opens the door for the dinosaurs to roam free. Thus a pretty important plot point.

A youngish, thinner Sam Jackson in his underwear. Unfortunately for Stacks (in real life and on film), it did not end well. He was a likable guy and a decent guitar player, from what's understood—also a member of the famed Lufthansa heist crew. Jackson's Stacks, briefly seen, gets whacked by Tommy (Joe Pesci), in one of the more memorable kills from Goodfellas, for essentially getting stoned and forgetting to dispose of the transport truck, which was eventually found by the cops. 

Another brief moment of greatness from Jackson in this Will Ferrell-Mark Wahlberg underrated comedy vehicle. Jackson's Highsmith and partner Det. Danson (Dwayne Johnson) are egotistical, brash NYPD detectives who are more interested in making public spectacles of their arrests and appearing on Page Six than doing solid police work. Of course, all that learns to their rather hilarious demise, which is the set-up for the film's true stars to shine eventually.

Much like Lynne Thigpen's DJ with an ear for the streets in The Warriors, Señor Love Daddy is the urban radio voice in Bed-Stuy during the beloved Spike Lee picture. He's rapid on the mic at We-Love radio and has a front view of the daily happenings on the streets. Don't miss Daddy's Jheri Curl alert if it's hot outside. He's also one of the more well-rounded fictional DJs when it comes to spinning records. Love Daddy has all the bases covered with his "roll call" of black rap, hip hop, soul, funk, R&B, rock, jazz, and pop artists.

It would seem rather hard to jump into an established and highly popular film franchise and succeed. Well, from an individual standpoint, Jackson successfully delivered in his role as a Harlem store owner who reluctantly partners with Bruce Willis' iconic John McClane to stop a series of bomb threats throughout New York City. While the third installment in the Die Hard franchise has earned some respectable cult status over the years, Jackson's stressed-out, anti-racist Zeus Carver is a big reason, adding another element of quirky coolness to the series.

It wouldn't be a stretch to say that the main reason Jackson's character from this rather popular science-fiction/action flick is included solely for the way he's consumed by that menacing genetically engineered shark. While Franklin, brought on board the research facility by its financial bankers to investigate the situation, delivers a passionate speech about hope and unity to a team lacking confidence that it will survive the ordeal, viewers should be able to sense his impending ironic death. Though, it's certainly a jump-out-of-your-seat moment and arguably the highlight of the movie.

The original John Shaft, brilliantly played by Richard Roundtree during the early 1970s, is the ultimate hard guy. So, this seemed like an easy choice to cast Jackson in the starring role as the suave, smooth-talking, yet intense New York City detective. Of course, this more modern-day take was certainly Hollywood-ed up, and John Singleton did a fine job with the story. Not to mention, the soundtrack is simply stellar. Yes, Jackson starred in the 2019 sequel of the same name, but let's leave it right there.

The internet hype surrounding what turned out to be a box-office bust was rather phenomenal. Mainly because of the premise of those deadly snakes roaming an in-flight airplane holding a key witness -- protected and escorted by FBI agent Flynn --  to a murder. Not to mention, a bad dude like Sam Jackson's presence in the film, in a man-v-reptile scenario. There were even robocalls going out nationally with Jackson's taped voice encouraging folks to go see "$%&*#@ing Snakes on a $%&*#ing Plane." That's all good enough for some love.

Keeping with the law enforcement theme but of the action-thriller variety. The Negotiator is one of Jackson's most popular films with mainstream audiences but tends to get lost in the shuffle of his more critically acclaimed work. Playing a Chicago police lieutenant and master negotiator, Jackson is shrewd yet emphatic and genuine. And tries to hold down those traits when pressed into a tough situation within the confines of his own department and essentially outshines co-star Kevin Spacey in a film that featured two of the biggest Hollywood stars of the day. 

Even when Jackson takes on a real-life character, he makes sure to knock it out of the park. As if there was any doubt to the contrary. Based on the real-life story of California high school basketball coach Ken Carter, Jackson is strong, as expected, in the starring role. Though the true-life tale of putting academics and discipline before sports is fit for Hollywood, there is plenty of inspiration to draw from this movie. Jackson's rightfully lauded performance is obviously a big reason why. 

Even in animated form, Jackson's characters still find ways to stand out. Especially one who can freeze things and make ice through the manipulation of moisture. Of course, he's also best friend of franchise protagonist Bob Parr -- better known as Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson). So, he really serves multiple important purposes and is another likable character to root on. Plus, his non-superhero persona kind of looks like Mr. Jackson, with some of the same mannerisms to boot.

When it was time for the Stars Wars prequel trilogy to kick up in the late 1990s, Jackson was a household Hollywood name. So, it made sense to put him in the mix. A Jedi Master and member of the High Council of the Republic, the stoic and professional Windu is old school but eventually becomes conflicted about what he has traditionally held true. Jackson also held the role during the animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) and voiced the character in 2019's  The Rise of Skywalker.

Jackson told Jimmy Fallon on Late Night years back how fond he remains of those Quentin Tarantino roles he was fortunate to play. As we'll see, they are among the best of the best on Jackson's resume. We start with Stephen, the protective, temperamental head house slave with an attitude. His servant, who is rather wise and highly opinionated when it comes to feeling superior over other slaves or black people, he, himself, believes are inferior to his thinking. It's a deliciously dynamic role.

Jackson has been part of the Die Hard and Star Wars franchises, so it only made sense to be included in the MCU. Through 2021, Jackson's presence as Fury, the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. and creator of the Avengers Initiative, was part of more than 10 films within the MCU, notably Iron Man 2 (2010), Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) and Captain Marvel (2019). Known for his trademark eye patch, Fury also appeared in two episodes of the television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013-14). 

More from Tarantino and Jackson. Gun-runner Ordell, complete with his David Carradine Kung Fu hairstyle, is pretty smooth in the way he handles himself and the delivery of dialogue. When it comes to mastering the latter in a Tarantino film, Jackson is a Hall of Famer. Of course, Ordell is forever ruthless; not to mention, Ordell's death is one of the more impactful moments of the movie, if anything, for the stunningly simplistic way it went down.

Sticking with the Quentin Tarantino vibe, Jackson came through again on The Hateful Eight. His Major Warren, a Union soldier from the Civil War, turned bounty hunter. An extrovert, Warren apparently was close with Abraham Lincoln, though pretty cold-hearted and vengeful. "The Major" tends to be a little more authentic than other top-tiered characters when Tarantino goes the Western-theme route. Warren also seems a bit underappreciated in the annals of Jackson's filmography. 

In the movie version of John Grisham's 1989 novel, Jackson rightfully earned high praise and a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in the role of a vengeful father who kills the two men who raped and beat his young daughter. Jackson's performance is gripping, emotional, and undisputedly complex for a mainstream Hollywood picture. If it's possible to feel another's parental pain, one should by watching Jackson's effort. Viewers ought to be conflicted as to what to think about this character, which is usually a sign of a noteworthy performance. 

By the early 1990s, Jackson was a regular screen presence, though still supporting, but often notable roles. That's certainly the case in this Spike Lee gem. "Gator" is the crank-attacked, loud-mouth brother of film protagonist Flipper (Wesley Snipes). It's a rather disturbing role for Jackson, but there are moments of dysfunctional amusement, especially with tag-along Vivian (Halle Berry). Of course, he's involved in perhaps the movie's most emotional moment, which truly showcased some of Jackson's stellar range as an actor.

Amid a resume of greatness, this was the role that elevated Jackson from a dependable Hollywood performer to a scene-stealer ready for stardom and earned him his only Academy Award nomination. Maybe because the audience can genuinely feel for Jules, despite his money-paying job as a hitman, he's prophetic in a Hollywood, or better yet, Tarantino way and gives his victims fair warning before popping them. Jules might also be the most intelligent of Tarantino's bad guys. He's well-read and obviously God-fearing. With his life and mortality at a crossroads, Jules might be one of the most complex characters in modern-day cinema.