Samuel L. Jackson once worked as a security guard at Larry David’s apartment

Samuel L. Jackson protected Manhattan Plaza in New York City while trying to earn money as a “struggling actor” in the late 1970s.

Samuel L. Jackson worked as a security guard at Larry David’s New York City apartment building before becoming a Hollywood star.

In the late 1970s, the entertainer helped protect Manhattan Plaza, which was also home to notable figures including actor David, 65, and late actress Angela Lansbury, and playwright Tennessee Williams, while making ends meet as a “struggling actor” who was landing roles in several stage productions.

Speaking in the book Emperor of Nothing: The Making of Larry David by 43-year-old Blake J. Harris, TV producer Jim Vallely said it was a “really fun time” living in the apartment building.

And Samuel, 77, told the 72-year-old screenwriter that the Hell’s Kitchen neighbourhood was the “Wild Wild West” when he worked at Manhattan Plaza.

Per Entertainment Weekly, he added: “Ninth Avenue was pretty much controlled by transvestite hookers. It’s kinda like, where the cops?!”

Jim, who wrote and produced for sitcoms including Two and a Half Men, The Golden Girls and Arrested Development, remembered that he “felt very safe” knowing Samuel was on duty as their security guard, monitoring the building for long hours.

The Marvel star said: “I had a very vivid New York education, working from 11:00 [at night] ’til 7:00 in the morning.”

Speaking to The Columbus Dispatch in 2017, Samuel added: “I’ve only had one real job outside of the theatre – as a security guard outside of Manhattan Plaza. It was a construction site. The people hadn’t moved in yet.

“I punched a clock from 11 at night to 7 in the morning.”

While protecting Manhattan Plaza and trying to land acting roles, the Jurassic Park alum battled addiction, something Samuel eventually gave up because he was “tired of getting high”, the star said in a 2019 interview with Esquire.

Following a stint in rehab, the performer landed what would be his critical breakthrough role as crack addict Gator Purify in the 1991 romance-drama film Jungle Fever.

And it was “the first thing” Samuel ever did without being under the influence.

He said: “All those mother****** at rehab were like, ‘You don’t need to do this movie, because you’re going to have triggers.’

“I hated them. But that was their job. And I made it through that.”