Samuel L. Jackson has appeared in some of the most legendary films of all time over his four-decade career in Hollywood. He’s shared the screen with superheroes, terrorists, aliens and even dinosaurs. It’s hard to imagine what any of these film series would look like without his stellar performances.

Swipe for the most iconic film franchises that feature the living legend, Samuel L. Jackson.

Shaft

Samuel L. Jackson brought Detective John Shaft back to the big screen in 2000, but he didn’t stop there. Jackson reprised the role in a 2019 sequel that also featured Jessie T. Usher as Shaft's son and the original John Shaft – Richard Roundtree.

Photography: Paramount Pictures

Star Wars

Mace Windu, Jackson’s Jedi character in Star Wars, first appeared in Episode I and has since found his way into multiple films and TV shows. Jackson specifically requested a purple lightsaber so his character would be easily identifiable, even in large battle sequences.

Photography: 20th Century Fox

The Incredibles

Jackson’s talents extend into the world of animation, with ice cold appearances as Frozone in both The Incredibles movies. Jackson also voiced Frozone in The Incredibles video game.

Photography: Buena Vista Pictures

Jurassic Park

Jackson played Ray Arnold, the chief engineer of the park, in the first Jurassic Park film. Unfortunately a hungry velociraptor made sure he wouldn’t be featured in any sequels. Arnold is survived by his, “Hold on to your butts,” catchphrase.

Photography: Universal Pictures

Die Hard

John McClane was mostly on his own for the first two Die Hard movies, but he had company for the third installment. Jackson plays Zeus, McClane’s reluctant civilian partner, in Die Hard with a Vengeance. The chemistry between Bruce Willis and Jackson is the most explosive part of the movie.

Photography: 20th Century Fox

The Marvel Cinematic Universe

It’s almost impossible to picture the Marvel Cinematic Universe without Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury. Fury was the glue of the Avengers team and appeared in eleven MCU movies, starting with a post-credits scene in the first Iron Man movie.

Photography: Walt Disney Studios