LaTanya Richardson Jackson Biography

Fast Facts

• Supporter of the charities Champions for Children, Artists for a New South Africa and the Elton John AIDS Foundation
• Graduated from Spelman College with a degree in theater in 1974
• Met her future husband, famed actor Samuel L․ Jackson, while they were students at Spelman College and Morehouse College, respectively, and the two were married in 1980
• Began her career on stage in New York after theater producer Joseph Papp offered to cast her in plays at his New York Shakespeare festival
• Quote: "Once you're out there there's no yelling cut or any such thing as a do-over because that moment has passed and you're in it as it's happened and gone sharing it with everyone․ It's the truth․ If you can make it in theater you can make it anywhere․"
• Best known for playing Harriet in "Sleepless in Seattle" and Lorraine in "Malcolm X․"