Samuel L. Jackson has appeared in over 100 films in the five decades he’s been working in Hollywood and is one of the most bankable actors ever. He has starred in movies and TV shows of every genre and worked with some of the greatest filmmakers of all time, including Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese.

But Jackson has inexplicably never been much of an awards contender despite delivering outstanding performances in films like Jackie Brown, Django Unchained, Coach Carter, and Unbreakable. Jackson’s only Academy Award nomination came for playing hitman Jules Winnfield in Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 classic Pulp Fiction, which he lost. Describing the Oscars as a popularity contest, Jackson says he got over not winning it years ago and is much happier playing fan-favorite roles like Marvel’s Nick Fury or Jedi Master Mace Windu.

However, Jackson did receive a lifetime achievement award at the Oscars earlier this year, but for him, it was too little too late. In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Jackson discussed his big win, making movies that fans love, and why he’s stopped chasing awards glory.

“As jaded as I wanted to be about it, you know thinking, ‘Well, I should have won an Oscar for this or should have won for that and it didn’t happen,’ once I got over it many years ago, it wasn’t a big deal for me. I always have fun going to the Oscars. I always look forward to getting a gift basket for being a presenter.

“But otherwise, I was past it. I was never going to let the Oscars be a measure of my success or failure as an actor. My yardstick of success is my happiness: Am I satisfied with what I’m doing? I’m not doing statue-chasing movies. You know [whispers]: ‘If you do this movie, you’ll win an Oscar.’ No, thanks. I’d rather be Nick Fury. Or having fun being Mace Windu with a lightsaber in my hand.”

Samuel L. Jackson Has Zero Regrets About Passing on Oscar Bait Movies

     MTV Films

Samuel L. Jackson’s films have collectively grossed $27 billion at the box office, even if you dismiss his numerous cameos. He has appeared in the Marvel, Jurassic Park, and Star Wars franchises. Jackson was also known as Hollywood’s most foul-mouthed actor before Johan Hill took that crown, and he is famous for his very quotable phrases. Safe to say, Jackson isn’t too torn up about some metal trophy and is happy doing films that sell tickets than win awards.

At 73 years old, Jackson is showing no signs of slowing down and continues to experiment. He recently starred in Apple’s drama series The Last Days of Ptolemy Gray and will next reprise his role as Nick Fury in Ant-Man 3, The Marvels, and Secret Invasion. Jackson has also expressed his desire to play Mace Windu again. Hopefully, Lucasfilm grants his wish.

“No. I want to do the stuff that made me want to go to the movies when I was a kid. I want to do that movie that people just want to see so they can get out of themselves. That’s the guy I chose to be and I’m fine with it. I’m satisfied because that’s who I am. I’m the guy who does the lines that people see on T-shirts. There’s actors who go their whole careers and no one can quote a line they’ve said in a movie. People go to watch my movies to see how crazy I’m going to be or see how many times I say motherf—. [Laughs] Whatever gets them in the seats.”