Samuel L. Jackson And LaTanya Richardson Jackson’s Timeline Of Their Five-Decade Romance
Legendary actor Samuel L. Jackson and his wife LaTanya Richardson Jackson's relationship showcases how love can conquer all despite life's adversities.
The couple's union began over 50 years ago when Jackson and Richardson Jackson met in college. Over the years, their love has become an inspiration to many for various reasons. The list includes Jackson and Richardson Jackson's willingness to provide insight into the struggles they have encountered in their partnership and how they resolved it.
Another factor is the personal and professional impact Jackson and Richardson Jackson have had within the entertainment industry with their respective careers in film and Broadway and their contribution to their community.
To date, Jackson has played in over 200 projects consisting of films and television shows. The 74-year-old has reportedly become the "highest-grossing leading actor," according to Statista, with his movies making over $5 billion at the box office.
As for Richardson Jackson, the 73-year-old has been involved in over 60 projects ranging from television shows to films and plays. Richardson Jackson recently directed The Piano Lesson, which Jackson starred in. The Broadway play was nominated for two Tony Awards.
In light of the pair's recent successes, xoNecole takes a look back into Jackson and Richardson Jackson's relationship and how they became one of Hollywood's beloved couples.
1970
Jackson and Richardson Jackson's love story began in 1970 after the pair became an item. At the time, the couple were both college students, with Jackson attending Morehouse College while Richardson studied at Spelman College.
During a cover story with the New York Times, Jackson and Richardson Jackson shared that the duo was seeing other people in the early stages of their relationship. Richardson Jackson explained to the publication that this was due to their various differences.
"Sam was not part of my circle... I was a theater snob, he loved movies," she said.
As the years went by, the couple's bond grew deeper as they participated in numerous projects together as members of the Morehouse Spelman Players.
1980
After ten years of dating, on August 18, 1980, Jackson and Richardson Jackson would officially tie the knot.
Although limited details about the nuptials were released to the public, Jackson revealed during an interview with The Jennifer Hudson Show that Richardson Jackson had 23 bridesmaids, and he was forced to balance the number out by telling his friends to ask people they knew to be his groomsmen. Jackson wrapped up his statement by saying it was the "best-reviewed" production.
In addition to the wedding details, the Shaft star provided insight into how he proposed to Richardson Jackson. Jackson disclosed that Richardson Jackson handed him a stack of wedding invitations and instructed him to attend.
"My story was, I came home one day, and she (LaTanya) already had these invitations printed up, and she gave me a stack and said, 'Be here,'" he stated.
While on the other hand, Richardson Jackson's version of the events of their proposal recalled a completely different story. Jackson added that Richardson Jackson informed him that he had to ask the actress' grandfather for permission to marry her, and following that conversation, he proposed in a formal way.
"She said 'No, that's not what happened... I actually had to go and talk to her grandfather because he'd told her he wanted to walk her down the aisle before he died," he said. "So I went and asked him for her hand or whatever."
Near the end of the segment, Jackson explained that he couldn't recollect the exact details of the proposal because he was on drugs at that time and that his wife could be right about how it all went down.
"That's probably what happened because I was on drugs, and I don't know what the hell was going on at the time," he stated. "So, she's probably right!"
1982
Two years into their marriage, Jackson and Richardson Jackson welcomed their only child, Zoe Jackson, on March 28, 1982.
Over the years, the couple has made it their mission to prioritize their daughter's well-being despite their hectic schedule. In a 2011 interview with The Irish Examiner, Jackson shared that being an active parent was important to him because he saw the negative impact of having an "absentee" father.
"My dad was an absentee dad, so it was always important to me that I was part of my daughter's life, and she deserved two parents, which is part of the rationale behind us staying married for 30 years," he said.
To date, Zoe has made a name for herself within the entertainment industry as a television producer for numerous reality shows, including The Bachelorette, Top Chef, and RuPaul's Drag Race, to name a few.
1990
In 1990, Jackson and Richardson Jackson's marriage began to take a toll as the actor battled drug and alcohol addiction.
In a past interview with Vanity Fair magazine, Jackson disclosed that, at the time, he thought his substance abuse was under control because he could function normally at work and balance his daily responsibilities.
But during the summer of that same year, Richardson Jackson found Jackson lying unconscious on the floor after partying all night with drugs in his hands.
The Pulp Fiction star recalled the incident in a 2019 interview with 60 Minutes. Jackson explained that he brought home cocaine and attempted to cook when he passed out. As Jackson woke up with Richardson Jackson standing over him, they mutually decided he had to get help.
"I bought the cocaine. I went home, cooked it, and woke up, and when I woke up, LaTanya was standing over me. I was passed out on the floor. I never got to smoke it. Next day I was in rehab," he said.
Jackson would attend a rehab facility in New York and complete the program nearly a month later. Following his rehab stint, Jackson landed the role that would catapult his acting career to new heights in Spike Lee's 1991 classic Jungle Fever.
The beloved actor credits his wife for seeing him through it all.
"I credit her because she could've taken Zoe and walked out and been done with me. But she didn't," he stated. "That's a greater love than I would ever know. Cause I don't know if I would've done that."
1999
As Jackson and Richardson Jackson's careers took off with their respective onscreen and Broadway projects, the couple used their celebrity status to create the Samuel L. and LaTanya R. Jackson Foundation in 1999.
According to People magazine, the Samuel L. and LaTanya R. Jackson Foundation "has donated money to educational, arts and health organizations." The publication also reports that Jackson and Richardson Jackson’s other contributions include a $5 million donation to Spelman College.
In addition to their foundation, Richardson Jackson and Jackson use their platforms to bring awareness to social issues.
2020
Over the years, as Jackson and Richardson Jackson continued to succeed in their respective careers, the couple would hit a milestone in 2020, their 40th wedding anniversary.
In August of that same year, Jackson uploaded a present-day photo of the pair and a heartfelt message regarding their love story. In the post, the Glass star explained the reason why the couple's relationship has stood the test of time is that they have constantly supported each other through life and its adversities.
"50 years ago we started dancing, it was all fun & games. 40 years ago today, shit got real! The slow drag of our lives pressed together, I led sometimes, sometimes she did. We finally found that rhythm where there was no leader, we moved as one," he wrote.
"We're still glued together, hip to hip, a holding each other up, not covering as much of the floor, but owning & loving the space that's ours. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY @ltjackson_ Love You for keeping me on my toes & on the beat for 18,250 days. You make my soul sing!! Don't change the tune, we're not done dancing."
2022
A few years later, Richardson Jackson opened up in a joint interview with People magazine and claimed that love wasn't the only factor that helped maintain the couple's relationship.
The Fight Temptations star explained that when she and Jackson first started dating, they made a pact to "stay together" and figure things out regardless of the situation, hoping to change the negative narrative behind the African American household.
"In the beginning, we always said the most revolutionary thing that Black people could do was stay together, raise their children with the nucleus of having a father and a mother, since everybody likes to pretend that that's not the dynamic of the African American family," she said.
"That it's just children out here being raised by women, which we know is false. In order to change that narrative, we made a decision to say, 'We are going to stay together no matter what. We'll figure it out.'"
As Jackson and Richardson Jackson's 43rd wedding anniversary quickly approaches, they have fulfilled their pact of switching the narrative of Black love and have inspired countless others to strive for excellence.
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Feature image by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:
Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
Momo Productions/Getty
Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images