Samuel L. Jackson Honored by Denzel Washington, Amanda Seyfriend and More at Chanel MoMA Film Benefit
After a year off due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strikes, the Museum of Modern Art’s Film Benefit, presented by Chanel, returned this week to honor Samuel L. Jackson. The 16th annual event had fashion and film buffs alike rubbing elbows inside the museum, many dressed in their Chanel finest, swapping stories of their favorite of Jackson’s movies.
Jackson was toasted by close friends Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, Walton Goggins and Kenny Leon, as well as his wife, LaTanya Richardson Jackson.
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Longtime family friends, the Washington family came out to support Jackson, including Denzel’s son Malcolm Washington, who directs Jackson in his upcoming movie “The Piano Lesson,” and daughters Olivia Washington and Katia Washington.
Other celebrity guests included Amanda Seyfried, Sofia Coppola, Thomas Mars, Meghann Fahy, Danielle Deadwyler, Natasha Lyonne, LL Cool J, Dianna Agron, Emily Mortimer, Alessandro Nivola, Francesca Scorsese, Nicole Ari Parker, Molly Ringwald, Andrew Rannells, Iris Apatow, Sam Nivola, Phoebe Tonkin and Barbara Bush.
For the occassion, Jackson turned to an old favorite: Armani.
“It’s an Armani night: shoes and pants and coat and shirt. I almost wanted to wear a regular T-shirt, so I looked like Mr. Armani, but that’s kind of his,” Jackson said of his velvet look. “I was expecting it to be a little cooler, so I went for a little higher neck for my shirt.”
Velvet was also at play with his favorite costume he’s worn in a movie. “I really love the clothes I wore in ‘Unbreakable’ and ‘Glass.’ Another velvet night,” he said.
Nigerian musician Tems was on hand to serenade the crowd post-dinner, opting for a “chic, smooth elegant, simple” Chanel look.
“It’s between ‘Pulp Fiction’ and ‘The Hitman’s Bodyguard,’” she said of her favorite of Jackson’s films. “I just really like that movie. It’s so funny.”
The dinner’s many speeches included what has to be a record use of “motherf–ker” inside MoMA — or at any Chanel event, for that matter. Jackson’s somewhat signature catchphrase popped up in nearly every toast, starting with Washington’s.
“Samuel L. Jackson is a bad motherf–ker,” Washington said from the stage of his friend of 45 years.
“He had a leading role in a play, ‘The Mighty Gents.’ I was an understudy, so I watched him. They fired the guy, I was understudy, so after the opening night, I took over,” Washington added. “I remember him giving me confidence to do the job. He doesn’t know that until tonight. Great actor, great friend. More importantly, he’s family to me.”
After several toasts, a pause for dinner and montages of his work played onscreen, Jackson took the stage to address the room.
“As we celebrate film tonight, let’s remember the power it has to change lives and inspire future generations that benefit from MoMA’s acquisition and preservation of films like the ones that ignited the dreams of a little Black kid sitting in a segregated Tennessee movie theater to be standing before you,” Jackson said. “Let’s continue to tell the stories that matter, stories that move us, and stories that unite us.”
Launch Gallery: Samuel L. Jackson, Amanda Seyfried, Denzel Washington and More Attend The Chanel MoMA Film Benefit
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