In this episode of Club Shay Shay, rapper, producer, and actor David Banner sat down with Shannon Sharpe to share a transformative story about his unlikely mentor: Samuel L. Jackson. What started as a moment of blunt critique on a film set blossomed into a life-altering validation that, according to Banner, completely shifted his perspective on his own talent and worth.
Banner recounted his initial encounter with Jackson on the set of the film Black Snake Moan. At the time, Jackson was known for publicly criticizing rappers who ventured into acting without proper training. During a table read in Memphis, Jackson didn’t mince words. He reportedly looked at Banner and directly asked who his acting coach was, then declared, “fire them, they suck.”
Instead of reacting with anger or defensiveness, Banner — in a moment of profound humility — simply asked Jackson to be his coach. This unexpected response evidently impressed Jackson, who then agreed to privately mentor Banner, even inviting him to New York for further guidance. Banner’s dedication quickly shone through, eventually earning him a reassuring “You’ll be alright” from the veteran actor.
Years later, Banner found himself working alongside Jackson again, this time on the set of Fight Night, which went on to become Peacock’s most-watched show at the time. Surrounded by legends like Kevin Hart, Don Cheadle, and Terrence Howard, Banner was simultaneously filming Family Business, leading to immense pressure and exhaustion. What viewers didn’t see was that he was battling a deep depression throughout this period.
He likened the experience to “playing All-Star-level games every day,” highlighting the overwhelming emotional and mental toll it took on him.
Despite their previous mentorship, Banner admitted to actively avoiding Jackson on the Fight Night set, fearing he wouldn’t meet his mentor’s high expectations. But at the project’s conclusion, Jackson pulled him aside for a conversation that would change everything.
“Stop that sh*t, Banner,” Jackson reportedly told him. “When I started acting, I was just walking by. In your first movie, you acted in front of me—and survived. You’re supposed to be here. Stop acting like you’re not.”
This powerful moment, Banner revealed, was life-altering. Jackson’s words taught him to stand in his light, to truly own his talent and acknowledge his rightful place in the industry.
Banner reflected on how he used to hide behind false humility and gratitude, often masking self-doubt and fear. However, encouragement from friends like T.I. and Erykah Badu — who famously told him, “We’re waiting on you, Mr. Banner. People are waiting to see the God in you” — pushed him to finally embrace his true greatness. He stressed the importance of listening without ego, correcting one’s path, and then moving forward, emphasizing to “repent and let that s**t go.”
In a humorous yet profound close, Banner joked that he’s now reached “demigod level” and might soon “transcend into pure light,” playfully underscoring his newfound confidence and self-acceptance. He concluded by emphasizing that he’s finally learning to enjoy life, to “throw the metaphorical football without fear of it being intercepted.”
Banner’s journey, shaped by tough love, mentorship, and deep inner work, stands as a testament to the transformative power of humility, perseverance, and ultimately, learning to stand proudly in one’s own light.
