According to Samuel L. Jackson, his wife of 27 years has been his harshest critic.

After getting a lifetime achievement award on Monday night at the 23rd annual American Cinematheque honors, he confessed to CNN that some of his most severe criticism came from wife LaTanya Richardson.

In fact, Jackson admitted that he almost gave up acting because of Richardson.

"She told me, 'You can't do this. You're a bloodless actor.'"

Richardson debated the point, claiming that she actually said "You know how to say the lines the right way and you know the right facial expressions, but there's no emotion behind it."

Whatever the wording, Jackson conceded that his wife was correct about his acting and fixed it.

"He kicked it into gear," Richardson said laughingly.

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