Samuel L. Jackson Calls Out Awards Season Facade: “It’s an Honor to Win”

Samuel L. Jackson, the iconic actor known for his prolific career in Hollywood, has shared his candid perspective on awards season, calling out the oft-repeated notion that “it’s just an honor to be nominated.”

In a recent interview with the Associated Press, Jackson dismissed the sentiment, saying, “No it ain’t. It’s an honor to win.” The actor further elaborated on how easily Oscar-nominated performances—and even some winners—fade from public memory. “Generally it’s a contest you didn’t volunteer to be in,” Jackson quipped. “They nominate you, and people go, ‘What’s the name of that thing?’ After it’s over, people have a hard time remembering who even won.”

Jackson’s remarks add to his ongoing critique of the awards system, which he has addressed in past interviews. Despite a celebrated career spanning decades, Jackson has only been nominated for an Academy Award once—Best Supporting Actor for Pulp Fiction in 1995. In 2021, he received an honorary Oscar, which he previously told Vulture “didn’t feel honorary” but rather like a well-earned recognition. “I earned it. I worked for it,” Jackson said.

Reflecting on his career, Jackson pointed to 1997’s Jackie Brown as one of several roles he believed were overlooked for an Oscar nod. While gracious about his honorary award, Jackson admitted to seeing multiple points in his career where nominations or wins would have been justified. “I can possibly name four other instances where I could have won or should have won or should have been nominated,” he told Vulture.

The actor’s comments underline broader conversations in Hollywood about the value and fairness of awards, with many performers and filmmakers critiquing the industry’s criteria for recognition.

---

---

Follow us on

---

(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)