Samuel L. Jackson thanked his wife and daughter for saving his life as he collected his Lifetime Achievement Award at the BET Awards.
Samuel L. Jackson at the BET Awards
The 67-year-old actor paid tribute to LaTanya Richardson, 66, and their 34-year-old daughter Zoe when he picked up the prize at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday (26.06.16), praising his loved ones for urging him to go to rehab after finding him passed out one day.
He said: "The other two people that challenged me on a regular basis are my foundation and support, my daughter Zoe and my wife LaTanya.
"The two women that actually found me passed out on the floor after I left somebody's bachelor party and put me in rehab the next day. And supported me and pushed me and give me a reason to get up and go and chase it day after day after day."
The 'Django Unchained' star thanked several other people during his heartfelt speech, including his publicist, lawyer, former drama professor, Aunt Edna and God.
Speaking to the audience, he said: "It's sort of exciting, I never get nervous, and I can hear my voice shaking and it's strange to hear myself sound that way. But it's been a great ride getting here, as there are a couple people very instrumental in that.
"First I want to thank god for giving me this opportunity even in the beginning. A young man who grew up in a segregated Tennessee, nobody told me I could be this.
"So, here I am, and here you are. Thank god for that."
The Hollywood legend concluded his speech by paying tribute to his fans for supporting him throughout his career.
He said: "Lastly, I want to thank everybody in here and in the world who has ever bought a ticket, a video, or a DVD with me in it."
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