Having overdosed on heroin several times , Jackson gave up the drug in favor of cocaine . His family entered him into a New York rehabilitation clinic . After he successfully completed rehabilitation , he appeared in '' Jungle Fever '' as a crack cocaine addict . Jackson said that the role was cathartic , commenting , " It was a funny kind of thing . By the time I was out of rehab , about a week or so later I was on set and we were ready to start shooting . " The film was so acclaimed that the 1991 Cannes Film Festival created a special " Supporting Actor " award just for him . Following this role , Jackson became involved with the comedy '' Strictly Business '' and dramas '' Juice '' and '' Patriot Games '' . He then moved on to two other comedies : '' National Lampoon 's Loaded Weapon 1 '' ( his first starring role ) and '' Amos & Andrew '' . Jackson worked with director Steven Spielberg in 1993 's '' Jurassic Park ''
1991 Cannes Film Festival
1991 Cannes Film Festival
Samuel L. Jackson