Top 10 Samuel L. Jackson Performances

Number 10: Ray Arnold (Jurassic Park)

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Hold onto your butts, we’ll be kicking off this countdown with Sam’s nerdiest, and perhaps bravest performance. As Jurassic Park’s chief engineer, he ran the main control center when the park’s systems began shutting down. While chain-smoking, Jackson worked furiously to contain the situation. He even even ventures out into the raptor-infested park to get the job done. I don’t know about you, but in that situation, I’m not sure if I’d lend a hand!

As the top hostage negotiator in Chicago, Jackson plays a cop who takes crazy chances to get the job done. When he uncovers a police embezzlement plot and is framed for murder, he confronts on the FBI the only way he knows how, by holding hostages! Jackson’s performance was pitch perfect, and kept us on the edge of our seats.

This prequel film trilogy was filled with cardboard-like acting and overused special effects. Thankfully, Sam’s involvement as a Jedi Master was a breath of fresh air. Love that purple lightsaber? Jackson asked for it specifically so he would stand out from the other Jedi. Trust us Sam, you did!

An FBI agent assigned to protect a witness on a flight to Los Angeles, Jackson finds himself fighting off an unusual and frightening assassination attack. He doesn’t just play the part as an angry and frustrated bad ass, but gets in loads of outrageous lines in that we’re sure have never been used before, or since. Like us, you must be wondering how he didn’t win an Academy Award!

Jackson is always perfectly cast when involved in a Quentin Tarantino project. Here he plays a womanizing gun loving arms dealer with a ponytail. His favorite show is called “Chicks With Guns”…which happens to be our favorite as well. That aside, you shouldn’t make him mad, cause he’ll “put his foot in yo ass!” as he is deceivingly friendly, but will sacrifice friends when they interfere with business.

If you saw this Spike Lee film, then you’re lucky enough to have experienced Jackson doing the nasty to your ears! Here, Jackson raises the temperature as a radio host who narrates the entire film’s soundtrack from his studio. From his eccentric radio call to his way with turning phrases, Jackson made the events of the film, loaded with racially charged subject matter jive together on the hottest day of the year.

Number 4: Nick Fury (The Avengers)

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Not only has the character been retooled to look exactly like Jackson in the comics, but his many eye catching film cameos tie the Marvel universe together. Even without his own film, which he’s getting, we can’t help but dig this tough as nails leather-clad super spy, with or without super powers.

Playing the good Samaritan, Sam was tricked into being John McClane’s reluctant partner. An intelligent and brave Harlem electrician and shopkeeper, he helps solve deadly puzzles and adds much of the personality and humor into the film. The best thing Die Hard could do bring back this no nonsense character.

Every superhero needs a mentor and mortal enemy, and in this case Jackson plays both! A man with a rare disease that makes him extremely weak, he caused the deadly train crash that allowed a security guard to realize his destiny. Sam did such a good job gaining our sympathy that we almost forget that a person called “Mr. Glass” had to be the villain.

Taking the top spot on our list is the role that won Jackson an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Here he played a religious and jheri-curle wearing hit man opposite John Travolta. Jackson has never been so badass, foul-mouthed, well spoken, or as plain quotable as he is here. We can’t imagine any other actor being as intimidating while eating a cheeseburger and quoting the bible… Agree or disagree with our choices: what’s your favorite Samuel L. Jackson performance?