# In 1981, Samuel L Jackson’s hero gave him “one of the first rude awakenings” about Hollywood

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-1981-samuel-l-jacksons-hero-gave-him-one-of-the-first-rude-awakenings-about-hollywood/
- Published: 2026-10-31T17:45:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-31T18:23:35+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/1981-samuel-l-jackson-hero-rude-awakening-hollywood/
- Topics: Entertainment, Film

## Key points

- Jackson met James Earl Jones while auditioning for *Ragtime*.
- The encounter revealed how both actors faced competition for roles.
- Jackson has appeared in more than 200 productions and has remained sober since 1991.

## Summary

While auditioning for Miloš Forman’s 1981 film *Ragtime*, a young Samuel L Jackson found himself waiting alongside James Earl Jones, then one of the most prominent Black actors in the United States. Jackson had assumed Jones might be helping other actors read for smaller parts, but realised he was auditioning too. The encounter showed Jackson that even an acclaimed Black actor faced the same competition for roles, shaping his expectations of a career in Hollywood.

Jackson was cast as “gang member number three”, but the experience made clear that success would not mean a steady supply of opportunities. He later described the audition as one of his first rude awakenings about the film business. After roles in *Coming to America* and *Do the Right Thing*, Jackson entered rehab in 1991 and has remained sober since; he has since appeared in more than 200 screen productions.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.