With his electrifying portrayal of a contract killer in 1994’s “Pulp Fiction,” Samuel L. Jackson served notice that he was — just like it said on his character’s wallet — one bad mofo. And in the 10 years since then he’s backed it up with rousing turns in such films as “Jackie Brown,” “Shaft” and the newest “Star Wars” trilogy. So known is Jackson for his impassioned performances that comedian Dave Chappelle has gotten mileage out of spoofing the actor’s singular style in a series of riotously funny sketches. Jackson is at his full-throated finest again as a no-nonsense high school hoops coach in “Coach Carter.”
QUESTION: How important is it to you that people who see the film be enlightened as well as entertained?
SAMUEL L. JACKSON: Very important. I believe in education, and it’s not often that I do something that has social significance. I think this is an interesting message to put out there to kids: Playing basketball, football, soccer or whatever you do in the school is an extracurricular activity. Getting an education is the one thing that cannot be taken away from you.
Q: The kids in the film can really play ball. Could you hang with them on the court?
SJ: No, I don’t play basketball. I play golf. They’re young. They can run and jump, though I can shoot free-throws better than they can.
“Coach Carter” — delivers strong messages about responsibility, character and teamwork
Q: Grammy-winning singer Ashanti makes her acting debut in “Coach Carter.” Did the two of you spend much time together on set?
SJ: No we didn’t. I only saw her in the make-up trailer in the mornings. She’s actually quite good in the movie. Very natural. You don’t see any false or “actor-ly” moments the whole time you’re watching her, and I think that’s great. Most of my time was spent with the guys on the team, though.
Q: You mentioned the importance of education. What sorts of lessons about your craft do you try to impress upon actors just starting out in the business?
SJ: I try and show them how I respect the crew. You know their names, you know what their jobs are, and you treat them like they’re as important as the people who are on camera, because they are — they make the job happen. And I try to show them that status doesn’t mean you don’t remember who you are, where you came from or who the people are around you.
Q: You’re one of those actors who always seem to be working. Do you ever feel the urge to just take an extended vacation?
SJ: Everybody talks about this job like it’s ditch-digging — a killer. Yeah, it’s 16-hour days, but 14-and-a-half of those hours are spent in the trailer watching “Judge Judy,” eating sandwiches, reading books … all kinds of stuff. So it’s kind of an easy job to go to. Plus, a lot of times you’re in places you’d never get to, or think
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 14, 2005. Read the original PDF.