Samuel L. Jackson Recalls Advice From Bruce Willis During ‘Die Hard With A Vengeance’ Shoot

March 23, 2025: Actor Samuel L. Jackson recently reflected on the invaluable advice he received from Bruce Willis while filming Die Hard with a Vengeance in 1994, a piece of wisdom that would shape his future in Hollywood. In an interview celebrating Willis’ 70th birthday, Jackson recalled a pivotal conversation with the Die Hard star.

Willis shared with Jackson, “Hopefully, you’ll be able to find a character that, when you make bad movies, and they don’t make any money, you can always go back to this character everybody loves.” He further mentioned how Arnold Schwarzenegger had The Terminator, Sylvester Stallone had Rocky and Rambo, and Bruce himself had John McClane. Jackson, at the time, didn’t fully grasp the depth of Willis’ words. However, it wasn’t until he landed the iconic role of Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) that he realized the truth in Willis’ advice.

Jackson went on to star as Nick Fury in a total of twelve Marvel films, beginning with Iron Man in 2008. The character of Nick Fury, as part of the larger Avengers franchise, proved to be a significant part of Jackson’s career. His appearances in the MCU films, including The Avengers, Avengers: Endgame, and Captain Marvel, contributed to the franchise’s global box office success, which has earned over $12.8 billion. Jackson was also contracted to a nine-picture deal, ensuring his place in the MCU for the foreseeable future.

Reflecting on his approach to success, Jackson shared that he never measured his career by awards, stating, “I was never going to let the Oscars be a measure of my success or failure as an actor.” For Jackson, happiness and the ability to bring joy through roles like Nick Fury and Mace Windu in Star Wars were far more important. “Am I satisfied with what I’m doing?” he asked, emphasizing that he wasn’t interested in chasing statues. “I’d rather be Nick Fury. Or having fun being Mace Windu with a lightsaber in my hand.”

Jackson’s enduring legacy in Hollywood, particularly in his collaborations with Willis, such as in Unbreakable (2000), continues to reflect his commitment to his craft and love for memorable roles that resonate with audiences, solidifying his place as one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors.