Samuel L. Jackson Reflects on Friendship with Stan Lee, Says as a Kid He ‘Never’ Thought He’d Meet the Marvel Legend (Exclusive)

Latoya Gayle, Scott HuverSun, October 11, 2026 at 2:30 PM UTC

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Samuel L. Jackson at the Los Angeles premiere of ‘The Beast’ on Oct. 6, 2026; Stan Lee at the premiere of ‘Captain America: Civil War’ on April 12, 2016Credit: Michael Tullberg/Getty; Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic -

Samuel L. Jackson says meeting Stan Lee felt like something “beyond” a dream come true after growing up reading his comics in segregated Tennessee

Jackson ranks just behind Lee in cumulative box office revenue across all film roles

The actor praised Lee, who died in 2018, as charming and gracious while recalling their longtime friendship

Samuel L. Jackson is reflecting on his longtime friendship with the late Marvel universe creator Stan Lee.

While attending The Beast premiere at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles on Oct. 6, the actor, 77, learned that he’s just behind Lee when ranking performers in cumulative box office revenue across all film roles.

The late co-creator of iconic comic book characters including Spider-Man, the Hulk, the Fantastic Four,Iron Man, Thorand the X-Men had worked on around 200 films when he died at 95 in 2018.

While growing up on Lee’s work, Jackson never envisioned having the opportunity to meet him.

“Things like that happen that you never expected,” he told PEOPLE at the L.A. premiere. “Those are things that you can’t even imagine when you’re a kid and you’re reading the books and you see his name all over the place.”

Samuel L. Jackson and Stan Lee in Las Vegas on Dec. 7, 2007Credit: Frank Micelotta/Getty

“Never occurred to me as a kid growing up in segregated Tennessee, I would meet Stan Lee,” he added. “So when it happens, it’s not even a dream come true. It’s something beyond that.”

Jackson, who plays Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, described Lee as a “wonderful, charming person” while reflecting on what a delight he was to be around.

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The Pulp Fiction actor, who has starred in television, movies and theater for more than five decades, has previously spoken fondly of being part of the MCU.

“I was never going to let the Oscars be a measure of my success or failure as an actor. My yardstick of success is my happiness: Am I satisfied with what I’m doing? I’m not doing statue-chasing movies,” Jackson told the Los Angeles Times. “You know [whispers]: ‘If you do this movie, you’ll win an Oscar.’ No, thanks. I’d rather be Nick Fury. Or having fun being Mace Windu with a lightsaber in my hand.”

Samuel L. Jackson in ‘The Beast’ (2026)Credit: Aura Entertainment/Youtube

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After Lee’s death on Nov. 12, 2018, The Avengers: Endgame star shared a heartfelt tribute on X.

“Thank you @TheRealStanLee for the escape from this world & great joy inhabiting the ones you created!! You made so many believe in the good, the heroic, the villainous, the exciting, most of all, you were giving & gracious to us all. RIP,” Jackson wrote.

The actor is currently starring in the newly released thriller The Beast. According to IMDb, the movie is about a U.S. president’s attempts to save his life and America.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”