Samuel L. Jackson Reveals Why ‘Die Hard With a Vengeance’ Made Him a Nice Guy on Movie Sets

Samuel L. Jackson has become a Hollywood icon starring in films like Pulp Fiction and Unbreakable, as well as starring as Nick Fury in the MCU. He is also what you may call a wise dude, and for that reason he is a perfect candidate to take part in Masterclass’ program of lessons. What makes Jackson such a legend is not only that he’s a very experienced actor with hundreds of credits to his name, but he has learned a lot of life-lessons on movie sets over his years in the industry. Jackson has revealed that during the production of one of his early action movies, there was a sign on the wall with a message that he decided to maintain and practice every day. That’s the reason why you won’t find him spewing out expletives all over a set unless it is scripted – because Jackson is actually a very nice guy.

The actor revealed the reason why on an Instagram reel while promoting his acting class in Masterclass, the app that lets you learn from the best of the best. Jackson refers to the production of Die Hard with a Vengeance, where he plays Zeus Carver, John McClane’s partner in trying to bring down Simon Peter Gruber. It was during the shooting that he saw a sign on the wall, and the sign contained a message that he has never forgotten because of how important it has been to him throughout his decade-long career:

“I remember there was a sign on the wall in the Die Hard office that I never forgot that said, ‘Be careful of the toes you step on today, for they could be connected to the a** you have to kiss tomorrow.’ So I’ve been nice to PAs to everybody and everything else.

“And some of those PAs became producers and gave me jobs, because they said, ‘I remember when I was a PA on so and so and so. You never hassled me. You didn’t make me run and get stuff, and you spoke to me every day.’ You know, it’s nothing. Be nice to that lighting guy, because your a** could be in the dark.”

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Now, if only we could know who those PAs are. We’re pretty sure that a rundown of Jackson’s filmography will give you a few ideas. The actor ended his anecdote with this inspiring message that some of his colleagues should take into account: “Everybody’s there doing the same job. So you show up, and you try and make the day as pleasant as you want the day to be for you.”

Samuel L. Jackson’s Legacy Is Unquestionable

20th Century Fox

Before his performance as IT specialist Ray in Jurassic Park, Jackson had already appeared in more than 20 movies, but he had always stayed in the background. However, the year after that, his role as Jules Winnfield in Pulp Fiction shot him towards stardom and landed him his only Academy Award nomination (he lost to Martin Landau for his role in Ed Wood).

Mace Windu, Nick Fury, Mr. Glass and Frozone. All characters that would not have been the same without the actor’s singular voice and dramatic range. But what’s also important about Jackson is that he doesn’t seem to mind making movies with lesser production value. As long as the character fits, he will do it. How else do you explain him making Snakes on a Plane the year after he appeared in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith?

Source: Masterclass (Instagram)

Die Hard: With a Vengeance

Release Date

May 19, 1995

Runtime

128 minutes

Writers

Jonathan Hensleigh

Producers

Andrew G. Vajna, Buzz Feitshans, Michael Tadross

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