Samuel L. Jackson Lost His Cool Over Wild On-Set Party Scene

Samuel L. Jackson is known for his commanding presence on screen, but even he has his limits. During the production of the 2005 sports drama Coach Carter, things got heated when a late-night party scene took an unexpected turn. According to Antwon Tanner, who played Worm in the film, the cast’s off-screen antics spilled over into the shoot, leaving Jackson less than amused.

Tanner recalled on the Taboo's Comics and Kicks podcast that he brought his own homemade drink, which he called “coochie juice,” to the set for a pool party scene. The moment was supposed to capture the team’s celebration after a big tournament win, but the atmosphere quickly became chaotic.

“Hilarious. Man, that was so much fun. We was walking around, passing out these little cups... to the girls that were in the scene. Everybody was drunk. So we wasn't getting nothing done like we were supposed to. So Sam, when he came to set, s*** gotta go right now, like it 's supposed to go. But we all faded [laughs]. He was like, 'What the hell is going on?' He was mad as hell.”

Directed by Thomas Carter, Coach Carter is inspired by the real-life story of Ken Carter, the high school basketball coach who famously benched his undefeated team in 1999 due to their poor grades. The film also marked the big-screen debut of Channing Tatum, who would later star in hits like Magic Mike, Foxcatcher, and Deadpool & Wolverine.

Jackson’s Philosophy on Respect in Hollywood

Despite the chaos on set, Jackson has always emphasized the importance of treating everyone with respect. He’s spoken about how a simple sign he saw during the filming of Die Hard with a Vengeance in 1995 left a lasting impression on him. In a recent Instagram reel promoting his acting Masterclass, Jackson shared:

“I remember there was a sign on the wall in the Die Hard office that I never forgot, that said, 'Be careful of the toes you step on today, for they could be connected to the a** you have to kiss tomorrow.' So I've been nice to PAs, to everybody and everything else.

“Some of those PAs became producers and gave me jobs, because they said, 'I remember when I was a PA on so and so and so. You never hassled me. You didn't make me run and get stuff, and you spoke to me every day.' Be nice to that lighting guy, because your a** could be in the dark. Everybody's there doing the same job. So you show up, and you try and make the day as pleasant as you want the day to be for you.”

Career Advice From Hollywood Legends

Jackson’s time on Die Hard with a Vengeance also brought him valuable advice from Bruce Willis. During a Vanity Fair tribute to Willis, who retired from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia in 2022, Jackson revealed that Willis encouraged him to find a signature character he could always return to, even if a project flopped. Willis pointed to iconic roles like Rocky Balboa, John Rambo, and the Terminator as examples.

Jackson eventually found that role in Nick Fury, becoming a mainstay in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with 13 appearances over 16 years. With more Avengers films on the horizon, it looks like he’s not done yet.