It’s the season of Samuel L. Jackson.
The legendary actor, who most recently stars in upcoming Oscar contender “The Piano Lesson,” will be honored by the Museum of Modern Art at the organization’s 2024 Film Benefit, presented by Chanel.
Jackson has made box office history, with his films cumulatively having grossed more at the global box office than any other actor. The frequent Quentin Tarantino collaborator has appeared in more than 150 films throughout his career, and has been nominated for an Academy Award, two Tony Awards, and an Emmy Award. Jackson was awarded an Honorary Academy Award in 2022.
“Samuel L. Jackson has become a landmark cultural figure thanks to his early film work with Spike Lee, which transfixed both audiences and critics, and his biblically powerful turn as the wise and merciless assassin Jules in ‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994),” Rajendra Roy, MoMA’s Celeste Bartos Chief Curator of Film, said. “He has acting roots in the New York theater, just a few blocks away from MoMA, and we are thrilled to welcome him in celebration of his unparalleled accomplishments.”
Previous MoMA Film Benefit honorees include Tarantino, Guillermo del Toro, Penélope Cruz, George Clooney, Laura Dern, Martin Scorsese, Julianne Moore, Tom Hanks, Cate Blanchett, Alfonso Cuarón, Tilda Swinton, Pedro Almodóvar, Kathryn Bigelow, Tim Burton, and Baz Luhrmann.
In addition to the Film Benefit honor, Jackson’s film career and legacy will be celebrated with screening retrospective “Samuel L. Jackson: A Tribute,” which will take place at MoMA from October 4 through 16 in the Roy and Niuta Titus Theaters. Selected films include “Changing Lanes” (2002), “187” (1997), and “Captain Marvel” (2019).
Jackson’s latest film, a new adaptation of August Wilson’s play “The Piano Lesson” (2024) directed by Malcolm Washington, will also be screened as part of the series, ahead of its theatrical release on November 8 and Netflix release on November 22. Jackson reprises his role from the Broadway production for the screen adaptation.
“The Piano Lesson” will also be honored at the 2024 Gotham Awards, with Jackson and his co-stars John David Washington, Ray Fisher, Danielle Deadwyler, Michael Potts, Corey Hawkins, and Erykah Badu receiving the Ensemble Tribute.
Chanel has been a sponsor of The Museum of Modern Art’s annual Film Benefit since 2011, and has served as lead sponsor of film at MoMA since 2021. The brand continues to partner with MoMA to share the Museum’s vast film collection and work in film preservation to restore beloved classics in MoMA’s Department of Film.
Founded in 1935, the Department of Film cares for more than 30,000 films and 1.5 million film stills, and boasts one of the strongest international film collections.
The Film Benefit in part funds continued maintenance and growth of this collection, as well as contributes to virtual programming and film series, premieres, festivals, and retrospectives.
