NEW YORK — The Museum of Modern Art buzzed with laughter and colorful language on Wednesday night as family and friends of Samuel L. Jackson came together to honor the actor and director’s remarkable career during the annual film benefit. The event celebrated Jackson’s legacy, which is marked by box office successes, captivating characters, and his famously spirited dialogue.
Despite his reputation for using expletives, Jackson delivered a heartfelt address during the ceremony, as loved ones took the opportunity to celebrate some of his most memorable quotes. “I have been fortunate enough to portray a diverse range of characters, each of whom has taught me something new about the human experience, and I always carry a part of them with me,” he expressed during the evening.
At 75, Jackson has developed a lasting legacy in Hollywood over the past four decades. He has starred in a variety of iconic roles, from the action-packed “Star Wars” series as Mace Windu and the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Nick Fury to his unforgettable performances in Quentin Tarantino’s films as the profane Jules in “Pulp Fiction” and Ordell in “Django Unchained.” His ability to adapt and immerse himself in diverse roles has been a key factor in his rise to stardom.
In addition to his film and television work, Jackson has also showcased his talent on Broadway, portraying Martin Luther King Jr. in “The Mountaintop” and Doaker Charles in “The Piano Lesson.” Throughout the evening, clips from his extensive career were interspersed with tributes from those close to him, including friends from his Morehouse College days.
His wife, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, shared a humorous anecdote about doubting her husband’s acting skills until she saw him in “Pulp Fiction.” She recalled, “Fast forward, I saw ‘Pulp Fiction’ and sat in that theater, and I started crying… I realized my life was over; he was going to be a movie star.” Before he pursued acting, she noted, he had been studying marine biology.
Denzel Washington, who began working with Jackson in 1979 and has cherished a friendship spanning 45 years, produced a Netflix adaptation of “The Piano Lesson” featuring Jackson. At the event, Washington fondly remembered Jackson’s early performances, saying, “I wish I was half the character actor that he is.”
Director Spike Lee recounted first witnessing Jackson’s talent alongside his wife in college, leading to their collaborations in films like “Jungle Fever,” “Do the Right Thing,” and “Chi-Raq.” “I was blown away by their talent,” Lee remarked of the couple. “I knew if I were ever fortunate to be a filmmaker, I’d want them in my films.”
Brie Larson and George Lucas also contributed video messages praising Jackson’s impressive body of work and his benevolent nature. Other attendees who shared their admiration included Tony Award-winning director Kenny Leon and actor Walton Goggins, both of whom interspersed heartfelt comments with humor.
With this recognition at the MoMA film benefit, Jackson joins a prestigious group of previous honorees like Martin Scorsese, Tom Hanks, Julianne Moore, Cate Blanchett, and Quentin Tarantino. The 16th annual benefit, held in collaboration with Chanel, raises funds for the museum’s efforts to acquire and preserve films for its collection.
“As we celebrate film tonight, let’s remember its transformative power and its ability to inspire future generations, benefiting from MoMA’s dedication to acquiring and preserving films that once ignited the dreams of a young Black boy sitting in a segregated theater in Tennessee,” Jackson concluded in his speech.