Anyone who has had the pleasure to witness Samuel L. Jackson’s performances knows that when the veteran actor gets cast in any upcoming role, the part is most definitely in safe hands. Beginning his acting career in various stage plays back in the 1970s (and, oddly enough, as a stand-in for Bill Cosby on The Cosby Show), it wasn’t long before the eventual star would get recognized.

He was first hired on to play smaller supporting parts in many successful projects after first working with Spike Lee in 1988, appearing briefly in everything from Goodfellas to Jurassic Park. Scoring his first leading role in National Lampoon’s Loaded Weapon I, Jackson began catching the eyes of established directors such as Steven Spielberg and Quentin Tarantino, and would gradually go on to become the highest-grossing actor of all time.

Being known for his loud and authoritative on-screen demeanor, there’s no shortage of triumphs in Jackson’s long and impeccable career. From playing hardened criminals, superheroes, or just a man who likes to yell expletives, there are many iconic scenes that come to mind due to the actor’s distinctive skills in demanding the audience’s attention. Having just received an honorary Academy Award, his first and long overdue Oscar, let’s look back on the most memorable moments over the past few decades of Samuel L. Jackson’s unmatched film history.

Spoiler Alert: Important plot points for each film will be discussed.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

8 Your Ass Used to be Beautiful (Jackie Brown)

     A Band Apart

Another spoiler alert: Quentin Tarantino movies will be a common thread throughout this list; when speaking on the career heights of Samuel L. Jackson, it’s nearly impossible to not mention any of his Tarantino roles. In 1997’s Jackie Brown, Jackson plays a Los Angeles based arms dealer named Ordell Robbie who specializes in seedy dealings and thoughtless murder.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

After tensions grow between Robbie and criminal associate Louis Gara (played by Robert De Niro), the latter finds himself shot by Jackson’s character during a lengthy and tense conversation, filmed from behing in a long continuous shot. Robbie laments after the surprise shot to the gut that Gara “used to be beautiful,” referring to his admirable history in crime, before finishing him off with a second shot inside the parked van. An exciting scene that, while far from being the only kill in the film, masterfully demonstrates Jackson’s ability to naturally capture a character’s frustrations and conflicting emotions, as well as being able to keep the audience on their toes at the same time.

7 Fish Food (Deep Blue Sea)

     Warner Bros.

A goofy and oft-forgotten science-fiction horror flick, Deep Blue Sea follows a team of scientists trapped in a remote underwater facility with genetically engineered sharks. Though it’s a funny premise, the film is by no stretch ‘good.’ Released in 1999, it finds Samuel L. Jackson playing the corporate executive Russell Franklin, who is sent to the facility to investigate the violent happenings surrounding the sharks. With pretty sub-par CGI and a goofy plot, there are elements to enjoy about the movie, though most cite only a single scene when making references to it, and it happens to have Jackson.

While the characters are at their most panicked, Franklin steps up to deliver an inspiring speech, though in doing so happens to be standing right next to a submersible pool. Interrupting his call to action, a hilariously dated CGI shark emerges quickly from the water, clamping its digital jaw around Jackson and pulling him down into the depths. The death comes off as so sudden and quick that it stunned audiences, now being a commonly referenced scene when speaking about the actor’s most memorable moments. Funnily enough, the scene may even exist due to Jackson’s frustration with his awful lines, and a desire to cut his screen time short in this less than impressive sea-faring thriller. It remains one of the most out-of-the-‘blue’ and best movie death scenes.

6 Stephen’s Insight (Django Unchained)

     The Weinstein Company/Columbia Pictures

2012’s Django Unchained presents Jackson as the despicable and conniving house slave named Stephen on a plantation in the 1800s. The film follows the exploits of a freed slave named Django and his German bounty-hunting acquaintance who take down the most sought-after criminals of the South. Finding out that Django’s wife is being held as a slave at the ‘Candyland’ plantation, the duo set up a plan to free her by out-witting the infamous owner, Calvin Candie.

Jackson often stands aside to let Leonardo DiCaprio shine as Candie, though his role still carries with it a hate-filled and immoral demeanor. While Black like those who are enslaved and suffering around him, Stephen doesn’t bat an eye to their treatment, and instead kicks up his feet, enjoying his position of relative comfort. Stephen is also fiercely loyal to the despicable Candie for being his ticket to the good life, and in a revealing scene, gives DiCaprio’s character his insight on the fact that he’s being fooled by the main duo. In doing this, Stephen convinces Candie that the two are only there for Django’s wife and plan on escaping with her, setting off the eventual explosive conflict.

While the film sparked some controversy for its subject and dialogue, Jackson has remained a stark defender of Tarantino’s Western. His performance is also fantastically done as the sneering Stephen (especially in this scene), being the real runner of the plantation behind closed doors, often more perceptive and witty than the man who owns him.

5 Mace Windu’s Fall (Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith)

     20th Century Fox

The third in George Lucas’ infamous Star Wars prequel trilogy, and to some the most underrated, Revenge of the Sith ties up the story of Anakin Skywalker’s transition into becoming Darth Vader, as he slowly begins to betray the Jedi and fall to the dark side due to Emperor Palpatine’s influence. Samuel L. Jackson was brought on to play the skilled Jedi Mace Windu in the trilogy, acting as a council member and masterful fighter.

The iconic scene in the 2005 action/adventure depicts Windu’s showdown with the evil Palpatine after the reveal that the Emperor was pulling the strings to gain more power, all while convincing Anakin to turn to the dark side. Nearly taking down Palpatine, Mace Windu’s success is cut short when a deceived Anakin steps in to defend the Emperor, giving Palpatine the chance to strike Windu with lightning, launching him out of the nearby window and to his death. The scene remained poignant for Star Wars fans as being a distinctive turning point in the Sith’s favor, and marking the death and final appearance of the beloved character, at least until Jackson returns as Mace Windu in a possible prequel.

4 There Was an Idea (The Avengers)

     Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Contributing greatly to Samuel L. Jackson’s role as the highest-grossing actor of all time is his character in the massively successful Marvel Cinematic Universe, Nick Fury. Pulling the strings behind the scenes as the mysterious and all-knowing director of S.H.I.E.L.D, the cool-headed agent appears in nine films and is also responsible for assembling the team of Earth’s mightiest heroes, The Avengers.

During the ensemble’s first film outing as a team in 2012, Fury’s Avengers had difficulty getting along. After a particularly defeating series of events at the hands of Thor’s brother, Loki, Fury gives a speech about the conception of the team, breaking it down to when it was merely an idea. The words used would often be quoted by fans of the series, finding magnitude in the scene from Jackson’s performance and ability to convince both Steve Rogers and Tony Stark of what really matters, and that there was more at stake than just egos. Jackson continues to perform as the character, and is confirmed to be returning in upcoming Marvel projects, including as a de-aged, young Nick Fury in Secret Invasion.

3 Where is My Super Suit? (The Incredibles)

     Walt Disney Pictures

With endless quotes and memes around the famous line, it’s impossible to ignore Samuel L. Jackson’s only voice-over role in this list, Frozone from 2004’s The Incredibles. Being an ice-themed superhero and best friends with Bob Parr (father and figurehead of the titular super-family), Jackson’s Frozone may be only a supporting role through most of the film, but the character still manages to make use of his limited screen time.

When a massive threat rears its ugly head within the city, Lucius Best, aka Frozone, knows it’s time to dawn his suit and fight. Being unable to find his outfit, Best calls to his wife asking where the suit is, just to be dismissed when she demands they don’t put off their dinner plans. While arguing that he needs the suit for “the greater good,” he’s reminded by his wife’s rebuttal that she is the “greatest good he’s ever going to get.” The exchange was an incredibly down-to-Earth moment in an otherwise frantic animated climax, and is a favorite scene by many fans of the hit superhero family comedy.

2 I’ve Had It With These…(Snakes on a Plane)

     New Line Cinema

Playing FBI agent Neville Flynn escorting a murder witness in a flight on its way to Los Angeles, Samuel L. Jackson hams it up as the lead in this action parody with a ridiculous and self-aware plot. A crate full of venomous snakes is planted on the plane, set to attack the passengers and leave no evidence behind as to who was responsible. The film follows the regular formula of people trapped in an unfortunate setting with killer creatures out to get them, but this time, it happens to be Snakes on a Plane.

The 2006 cult classic movie is widely enjoyed for its simple concept and over-the-top performances. None shine brighter than Jackson’s Flynn, who provides what may be one of the most quotable lines in film history, perfectly capturing the absurdity of the set-up in a single sentence and being the part fans enjoy the most on repeated viewings. The actor still highly recommends the film, and had even initially begged to be a part of it after just hearing the title.

1 Say ‘What’ Again (Pulp Fiction)

     Miramax Films

Undoubtedly the role that cemented Jackson’s place as a legendary talent, Pulp Fiction marks the first time the actor worked with director Quentin Tarantino, and remains the most memorable to this day. Playing hitman Jules Winnfield along with partner Vincent Vega (played by John Travolta), the duo are tasked with performing various jobs for their boss, Marsellus Wallace. It’s when the two bickering assassins must take out a couple of low-level criminals who hoped to double-cross Wallace that Jackson’s most iconic scene takes place.

Winnfield takes his time before killing his scared and shaky target, helping himself to their fast food and asking him various questions. The killer’s frustration grows as his inquiries often get met with a “what?” from his prey, who doesn’t understand what’s being asked of him. Reaching his boiling point, Jackson’s Winnfield cites his favorite Bible verse as he paces back and takes aim, riddling the man with numerous bullets.

While the entire cast’s performance throughout the film is fantastic, and many of his moments are classic (from the car clean-up to the diner hold-up), this scene in particular has gone on to be among the most iconic not just in Samuel L. Jackson’s immense catalog, but in movie history. With fans and critics alike singing the praises of Jackson’s capabilities for years, it’s no wonder why the actor feels he should’ve won his Oscar for Pulp Fiction, and the rest of us are left thinking the same thing.