Samuel L. Jackson and his wife, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, have been married since 1980. The couple met in 1970 while attending Spelman and Morehouse College, respectively, and started dating that same year. They tied the knot on August 18, 1980, and have been together for over 50 years.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Date of Marriage | 1980 |
Wedding Anniversary | 43 years |
Spouse | LaTanya Richardson Jackson |
Children | Zoe |
Age of Samuel L. Jackson | 74-75 |
Age of LaTanya Richardson Jackson | 72-73 |
What You'll Learn
Samuel L. Jackson and LaTanya Richardson's 41-year marriage
Samuel L. Jackson and LaTanya Richardson Jackson have been married for over 40 years, and their union is one of Hollywood's most enduring. The couple met in 1970 while attending historically Black colleges in Atlanta, Georgia—Jackson at Morehouse College and Richardson at Spelman College. They married in 1980 and have a daughter, Zoe, born in 1982.
The Jacksons' marriage has endured despite the challenges of being a couple in Hollywood and Jackson's struggles with drug addiction in the early years of their relationship. Richardson helped Jackson get into rehab in the early '90s, and he has been in recovery for over 30 years. In a 2020 interview with Essence, Richardson shared some of the secrets to their long-lasting marriage, including keeping "the Lord" in their home, having a shared mantra, and "never letting the sun go down on your wrath."
The couple has also found success in their professional lives. Jackson is one of the most recognisable actors of his generation, with roles in blockbuster franchises like Star Wars, Avengers, and The Incredibles. He is the highest-grossing actor of all time, with his films collectively raking in over $27 billion worldwide. Richardson is also an accomplished actress, with roles in films like Fried Green Tomatoes, Malcolm X, and Sleepless in Seattle. She has also appeared on television shows like Grey's Anatomy and Luke Cage. In 2014, she received a Tony Award nomination for Best Lead Actress in a Play for her performance in A Raisin in the Sun.
In addition to their successful careers, the Jacksons have also prioritised their family. Every July, the couple takes time off from work to spend quality time with their daughter, Zoe, and friends. They often go on boat trips, where Jackson says the only rule is, "Don't wake anybody up. You sleep when you sleep. Then we come together and eat."
The couple has also worked together professionally. In 2022, Richardson directed her husband in the Broadway revival of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson. Despite their busy schedules, the Jacksons have found a way to make their marriage work, and they continue to be an inspiration to many.
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The couple's college romance
Samuel L. Jackson and LaTanya Richardson Jackson's romance began in college. The couple met at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, and have been together ever since.
Jackson initially studied marine biology, but after joining a local acting group, he found his passion for performing and switched his major. He co-founded the Just Us Theatre before graduating in 1972.
Richardson, meanwhile, went on to become a successful actress herself, with a career spanning Broadway and television. She has also worked behind the camera, directing her husband in the 2022 Broadway revival of August Wilson's 'The Piano Lesson'.
The couple tied the knot in 1980 and recently celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary. They are parents to 41-year-old daughter Zoe, an Emmy-winning reality TV producer.
Despite the challenges of their careers, the couple has always found ways to stay connected. They understand the bond they share and the common ground of their theatre backgrounds. They also made a pact early on in their relationship to stay together no matter what, and this has been a key factor in their longevity.
Jackson has credited his wife for helping him overcome his struggles with addiction and for pushing him to be a better actor. He has said that she gave him a reason to get up every day and chase his dreams.
Today, the Jacksons continue to be a source of inspiration and a testament to the power of love and commitment.
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Jackson's drug addiction and recovery
Samuel L. Jackson has been open about his past struggles with drug addiction, specifically with crack cocaine. He has shared that his addiction began around the early years of his marriage and career, and he had been getting high since he was 15 or 16 years old. Jackson's addiction took a toll on both his personal and professional life, creating emotional barriers between him and his family. Despite his struggles, he maintained a good reputation as an actor, always showing up on time and delivering his lines. However, he felt that his addiction was holding him back from reaching his full potential.
The turning point for Jackson came when his wife, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, and their daughter found him unconscious in the kitchen due to a crack-induced meltdown. This incident served as a wake-up call, and Jackson agreed to enrol in rehab. He spent 28 days in a rehabilitation program, where he addressed the underlying causes of his addiction and acknowledged his relentless need for excess. During this challenging time, he had the unwavering support of his wife, which played a crucial role in his recovery.
Overcoming addiction was not easy for Jackson, but he was determined to make a change. He distanced himself from enabling environments and individuals, adopted a healthier lifestyle, and engaged in fulfilling activities. He also sought professional help and participated in addiction recovery programs and therapy.
Jackson's triumph over addiction led to personal growth and a revived career. His first role after rehab was playing a drug addict in Spike Lee's "Jungle Fever," which allowed him to channel his personal experiences. The movie debuted in 1991, and Jackson's powerful performance was considered the best work he had ever done. This role marked a turning point in his career, leading to other successful movies and franchises.
Jackson's journey to sobriety is a testament to his resilience and determination. By seeking help, making lifestyle changes, and leaning on the support of his loved ones, he was able to overcome his addiction and achieve success in Hollywood. His story serves as an inspiration for many, proving that it is possible to turn one's life around and pursue their dreams.
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Jackson's unique wedding gift to Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson
In a recent interview with Vulture, Samuel L. Jackson revealed the unusual wedding gift he gave to Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds for their 2008 wedding. Jackson recalled that Johansson was "always talking about nature" when they played villains together on the set of the 2008 film The Spirit.
Taking this interest to heart, Jackson decided to gift the couple with a beehive, saying:
> "So I had my assistant go out and buy 10 pounds of bees and then I bought them bee suits and the whole thing."
The beekeeping novices were able to produce their own honey for a couple of years, according to Jackson, who added:
> "They kept bees for a while. They got honey for a couple of years while they were married."
However, the bees eventually "abandoned the hive, or they abandoned the queen, or some st," he said.
Johansson and Reynolds divorced in 2011, with Johansson marrying journalist Romain Dauriac in 2014 and Reynolds marrying Blake Lively in 2012.
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Jackson's career and notable roles
Samuel L. Jackson is an American actor and producer, and one of the most widely recognised actors of his generation. He has appeared in over 100 films, making him the highest-grossing actor of all time. Jackson's films have collectively grossed over $27 billion worldwide.
Jackson's early film roles include Coming to America (1988), Goodfellas (1990), and Jungle Fever (1991). Jackson's breakthrough role was in the 1994 film Pulp Fiction, where he played Jules Winnfield. For this role, Jackson won the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor and received an Academy Award nomination.
Jackson has since become well-known for his collaborations with director Quentin Tarantino, starring in Pulp Fiction (1994), Jackie Brown (1997), Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004), Django Unchained (2012), and The Hateful Eight (2015). He also gained widespread recognition for his role as Jedi Mace Windu in the Star Wars prequel trilogy (1999-2005).
Jackson has appeared in several big-budget films, including Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995), A Time to Kill (1996), Unbreakable (2000), Shaft (2000), XXX (2002), Snakes on a Plane (2006), Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014), Kong: Skull Island (2017), and Glass (2019).
In addition to his film career, Jackson has also lent his voice to various animated films, television series, and video games, including The Incredibles (2004), Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008), and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004).
Jackson made his professional theatre debut in 1980 and has since appeared in several stage productions, including The Piano Lesson (1987) and The Mountaintop (2011).
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Frequently asked questions
Samuel L. Jackson married LaTanya Richardson in 1980.
As of 2024, they have been married for 44 years.
In an interview with Good Morning America, Jackson said, "Well, I guess we still love each other." He also credits his wife for helping him overcome his addiction issues.