Top 10 Samuel L. Jackson Kills
#10: Death of Dukhovich
Top 10 Terrifying Death Games in TV & Film
“The Hitman’s Bodyguard” (2017) Samuel L. Jackson was well into his 60s when he made this action comedy with Ryan Reynolds. But Jackson’s energy is so great, you would never guess he was that old. Vladislav Dukhovich, the bloodthirsty dictator of Belarus, played by Gary Oldman, has targeted Jackson's Darius Kincaid, a hitman who testified against him. After setting off an explosive device in a courtroom, Dukhovich tries to escape via helicopter, but Kincaid gets rid of both Dukhovich's escape vehicle and Dukhovich, who first delivers a monologue that doesn’t quite land with Kincaid. And in proper Sam Jackson fashion, we're treated to plenty of profanity.
#9: Death of Caretaker
Top 10 MCU Fates Worse Than Death
“Glass” (2019) The final installment in the unexpected "Unbreakable" trilogy, "Glass" unfortunately didn't live up to M. Night Shyamalan's predecessors. But it still included some excellent work from its stars, particularly Jackson. Returning as the villainous and institutionalized Elijah Price, or “Mr. Glass,” Jackson keeps us on the edge of our seats. We never know just exactly what Glass is capable of. While escaping from the facility where James McAvoy's Kevin and Bruce Willis' David are also being held, Glass kills his caretaker with a piece of well, himself. This was after they attempted to lobotomize him, a procedure that Glass was able to sabotage. Glass might not be a “good guy,” but he is great to watch.
#8: Radical Environmentalism
“Kingsman: The Secret Service” (2014) By far the biggest kill count by any Samuel L. Jackson character comes from this spy thriller. Though, if Jackson’s character had his way, the number would be a lot higher. In a misguided fight against global warming, billionaire Richmond Valentine hatches a plan to eliminate most of the global population through a special signal. And it's up to the Kingsman organization to stop him, which they do. But Valentine is still responsible for more than 1,000 deaths in the movie. What are the odds that Valentine and Thanos would get along with each other?
#7: Death of Peoples Hernandez
Top 10 Movie Fates Worse Than Death
“Shaft” (2000) Some might argue that Richard Roundtree is the one and only Shaft, but we think Jackson did justice to the "Shaft" name. As John Shaft II in John Singleton's follow-up, Jackson is equally tough and charming, and it's so satisfying to see him deliver justice. In this case, it's to Peoples Hernandez, a drug kingpin played by Jeffrey Wright. Hernandez teams up with Christian Bale's racist Walter Wade, Jr. to sabotage Wade's upcoming trial. In this final confrontation, Hernandez thinks he's one step ahead of Shaft with his hidden gun. But little does he know, Shaft is equally prepared.
#6: A Farewell to Snakes
Top 10 Samuel L. Jackson Performances
“Snakes on a Plane” (2006) It isn’t just humans who need to be concerned about the killing power of Samuel L. Jackson's characters. In this over-the-top thriller, Jackson’s FBI agent Neville Flynn announces, in a particularly iconic way, that he’s quite fed up with the reptiles on board. In a last-ditch effort to save everyone, Flynn shoots out the plane windows, sending things flying out, including the troublesome snakes. It’s less reckless than it sounds, as Flynn first makes sure everyone is safely secured before firing. And is there a completely safe way to deal with a problem like snakes on a plane?
#5: Nick Fury vs. Hydra
Top 10 Best Nick Fury MCU Moments
“Captain America: The Winter Soldier” (2014) Nick Fury might not have any superpowers. But to us, that just makes him even cooler. Oh, and the fact that he has an eyepatch and is played by Samuel L. Jackson doesn’t hurt either. In this scene, from the second “Captain America” movie, Robert Redford's Alexander Pierce, a member of the evil organization Hydra, orders Fury to be killed. Fury's car is ambushed by Hydra forces disguised as law enforcement, and it seems like his car's reinforcements might not save him. Fortunately, Fury understands that a good offense and defense are equally important. As for what happened to Pierce, stay tuned.
#4: Death of General Smithers
Top 10 Movie Romances That End In Death
“The Hateful Eight” (2015) If there are two things Quentin Tarantino movies are known for, it’s violence and Samuel L. Jackson. In this revisionist western, which largely takes place in a lodge during a blizzard, Jackson's Major Marquis Warren, a Civil War vet, finds him around some unfamiliar types. One of these is Sanford Smithers, a veteran who fought for the Confederacy, played by Bruce Dern. Warren taunts General Smithers about the death of his son, leaving his gun out within Sanford's reach. However, once Sanford goes for his gun, Warren is already ahead of him. It's one of the most uncomfortable scenes Tarantino has ever made, but the payoff is worth it.
#3: Shooting Scenes
Top 10 Movies with Ridiculous Shooting
“A Time to Kill” (1996) How far would you go for the people you love? That's a question posed by this crime drama, based on the novel by John Grisham. After his 10-year-old daughter is brutally attacked, Carl Lee Hailey, a man in small-town Mississippi, played by Jackson, learns her attackers likely won't face justice. So, he takes matters into his own hands, opening fire at the courthouse while they're in handcuffs. It's a harrowing scene to watch, both for the violence and for the anguish experienced by Jackson and the witnesses. Whatever stance you take on vigilantism, Jackson does an amazing job of selling Hailey’s rage.
#2: Death of Alexander Pierce
Top 10 Thought Provoking Life After Death Movies
“Captain America: The Winter Soldier” (2014) You wouldn’t expect Nick Fury to just forgive and forget after an attack like the one in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” ,” would you? After faking his own death, Fury makes Pierce allow him and Natasha Romanoff, a.k.a. Black Widow, to tell the world about Hydra and their nefarious activity. A struggle ensues, but Fury and Romanoff are triumphant, leaving Pierce with some choice last words. It's a moment that feels more out of a spy thriller than a superhero movie, and that's what makes "The Winter Soldier" one of our favorite MCU movies.
#1: Ezekiel 25:17
“Pulp Fiction” (1994) There aren’t many non-biblical figures who are as associated with scripture verse as Samuel L. Jackson. One of Jackson’s best performances comes from the movie that made him a star, and this scene is perhaps his most iconic. After Jackson’s Jules and fellow hitman Vincent, played by John Travolta, visit some men who betrayed their boss, he lets his gun, and his words, carry equal weight. Right before delivering a fatal blow, Jules launches into a recitation of the Bible passage, which isn’t entirely biblically accurate. The intensity in his eyes and voice is enough to bring down a house. After this scene, there was no question: Samuel L. Jackson was a movie star.
