Samuel L Jackson tops movie rich list

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10762207

7:24 AM Friday Oct 28, 2011

Samuel L Jackson has been named the highest grossing actor of all time.

The 62-year-old star - who has appeared in hit films such as Pulp Fiction and Goodfellas - has appeared in more than 100 movies, which have pulled in a total of $7.4 billion, according to the Guinness World Records.

Samuel's box office success has triumphed over Hollywood heavyweights including Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Cruise, Will Smith and Matt Damon to the honour thanks to his roles in motion pictures such as Jurassic Park, which raked in $914 million.

The Snakes on a Plane star's portrayal of Mace Windu in the Star Wars prequels - Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: The Clone Wars - helped accumulate around $2.4 billion for the franchise.

Samuel looks set to increase his total after signing up to star in thriller movie The Samaritan next year, which will see him play a former trickster who decides to change his life following a 20-year stay in prison.

The project will be the last one he has time to shoot before filming begins eagerly anticipated comic-book adaptation The Avengers, which will see him star alongside Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo and Chris Hemsworth.

- BANG! Showbiz