Jackson can be 'silly and serious'

12:37am Tuesday 2nd December 2008

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Samuel L Jackson is "kind of silly" and "kind of serious" according to his Lakeview Terrace co-star Kerry Washington.

The actress revealed just what it was like to be terrorised by the acting legend in his new thriller which comes out this week.

"It's an interesting dichotomy," Kerry revealed. "He's very laid back, really silly, very funny but he also takes his job very seriously."

In the movie Sam plays a hard-as-nails LAPD cop terrorising his new neighbours because he disapproves of their interracial marriage.

Speaking in Hollywood, Kerry explained how she'd wanted to work with the Hollywood A-lister for some time.

"I think he is intimidating to a lot of people," she said. "But for me I've always just been waiting for the opportunity to work with him because I feel like unless you work with Sam Jackson you're not even really an actor!"

According to Kerry, Sam was the consummate professional: "I never saw him on set with a script at any point because he knows every single line, he knows every moment inside and out."

"He will correct every person on set because he is that thorough in his preparation," she laughed. "Which is why I guess he can afford to just be silly while the rest of us are like 'what's my line? What do I do?'. He's totally focused."

Lakeview Terrace opens in UK cinema screens on Friday.