Samuel L. Jackson recalls his friendship with Stan Lee, saying he never imagined meeting the Marvel legend as a child
Pop Culture & ArtOctober 11, 20261 min readPhoto: Reuters
Samuel L. Jackson is reflecting on his friendship with late Marvel legend Stan Lee, revealing that meeting the comic book creator was something he never imagined possible while growing up in segregated Tennessee.
The 77-year-old actor spoke to PEOPLEat the Los Angeles premiere of his thriller The Beast on October 6, where he learned that he ranks just behind Lee in cumulative box office revenue across film roles.
Jackson recalled growing up reading Lee’s comic books and seeing his name associated with some of Marvel’s most iconic characters, including Spider-Man, the Hulk, Iron Man, Thor and the X-Men.
“Never occurred to me as a kid growing up in segregated Tennessee, I would meet Stan Lee,” Jackson told PEOPLE. “So when it happens, it’s not even a dream come true. It’s something beyond that.”
The actor, best known for playing Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, described Lee as a “wonderful, charming person” and praised his warmth and generosity.
Lee, who co-created numerous beloved Marvel characters, died on November 12, 2018, at the age of 95. He had worked on approximately 200 films during his career, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the entertainment industry.
Following Lee’s death, Jackson paid tribute to the comic book pioneer on X, thanking him for creating fictional worlds that offered audiences an escape from reality.
The actor praised Lee for inspiring generations of fans through his characters and stories, highlighting the joy and heroism they brought to people around the world.
Jackson has previously spoken about his long-running involvement in the Marvel franchise, saying he values happiness and satisfaction in his acting career over awards recognition. He has portrayed Nick Fury across multiple Marvel projects and remains one of the franchise’s familiar faces.
Meanwhile, Jackson is currently starring in The Beast, a newly released thriller centred on a US president fighting to save his life and the country.
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