Samuel L. Jackson has been an icon in Hollywood for quite some time now. From great films such as Pulp Fiction, The Avengers, and Django Unchained, Jackson has played a huge variety of characters and his performances are always top notch. Here’s a list of eight interesting facts you may not have known about him!

1) He was an accomplished musician when he was in school.

When Samuel L. Jackson was in grade school, he learned how to play several brass instruments including the French horn and trumpet. He was an accomplished young musician from 3rd grade all the way through high school.

2) He is against rappers who break into the film industry.

Jackson has spoken out against rappers breaking in to the film industry. He once said, “To take people from the music world and give them the same kind of credibility and weight that you give me, Morgan Freeman, Laurence Fishburne, Forest Whitaker that’s like an aberration to me.” However, he has worked with many rappers in films from Tupac, to Queen Latifah, to 50 Cent.

3) He stuttered when he was young.

When he was a kid, Samuel L. Jackson stuttered and went to a speech therapist. When the speech therapist suggested he try auditioning for a play, it not only helped his speech, but it also changed the course of his life.

4) He was an usher at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s funeral.

Jackson was very involved in the Civil Rights Movement and in 1968, he attended Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s funeral in Atlanta, GA and was one of the ushers.

5) His career is the greatest box office success of all time.

As of 2006, Samuel L. Jackson surpassed Harrison Ford for being the actor who’s films have grossed more in the box office than any other actor.

6) He is a golf fanatic.

Samuel L. Jackson LOVES playing golf. In fact, he make sure that every film he does has access to a golf course near the filming location.

7) He was a late bloomer in Hollywood.

While many stars get their foot in the door at a younger age, Jackson didn’t have his first prominent role in a film until he was 40 when he starred in Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing.

8) He overcame drug addiction right before he had to play a drug addict for a role.

Jackson has admitted to having been a drug user in the past, claiming he overdosed on heroin several times. Before playing a drug addict in Jungle Fever, he had to complete a drug rehabilitation program for two weeks.

There you have it! Eight facts about the super-talented Samuel L. Jackson. Did you learn something new about him today? Tell us your favorite role of his in the comments section below!