You probably remember the scene. It’s loud, it’s chaotic, and it features a man waving a shotgun in a fast-food joint that looks suspiciously like a McDonald’s but is definitely a McDowell’s. Long before he was Nick Fury or Jules Winnfield, Samuel L. Jackson was just the "Hold-Up Man."
It’s one of those "wait, was that him?" moments that hits you during a Sunday afternoon rewatch. Back in 1988, Jackson wasn't a household name. He was a working actor in New York, grinding through bit parts and theater gigs.
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Honestly, his performance in Coming to America is a masterclass in making a massive impact with less than two minutes of screen time. He enters the restaurant with a shotgun and a bad attitude, shouting orders at the staff. He calls the owner, Cleo McDowell, a "fat boy." He’s twitchy. He’s intense. He’s quintessentially Sam Jackson, even then.
The McDowell’s Robbery: A Breakdown of the Scene
The robbery serves a specific purpose in the story. It’s the moment Prince Akeem, played by Eddie Murphy, proves he’s not just some pampered royal. While the robber is busy threatening to blow people's heads off, Akeem and Semmi use their "African connection" to take him down.
Akeem uses a mop handle. It’s a classic 80s action beat.
What’s wild is that Jackson’s character doesn't even have a name in the credits. He’s literally listed as Hold-Up Man. Despite the lack of a name, he delivers some of the most quotable—and foul-mouthed—lines in a movie already packed with them.
"Don't stall me, fat boy!"
That line alone carries that signature Jackson cadence. You can hear the future "English, motherf***er, do you speak it?" bubbling under the surface. It was actually one of his first major speaking roles on the big screen. Before this, he had a tiny, non-speaking part in Ragtime (1981) and was doing a lot of work with Spike Lee, but Coming to America put his face—and his voice—in front of a massive mainstream audience.
Why he didn't show up for the sequel
When Coming 2 America was announced decades later, fans were scouring the cast list for Jackson. Almost everyone else came back. The barbershop crew, the royal family, even the "Soul Glo" guy.
But no Sam.
Eddie Murphy eventually cleared the air on this during the press run for the sequel. Apparently, there was a plan. The writers wanted to have the "Hold-Up Man" still robbing the exact same McDowell’s thirty years later. It would have been a hilarious nod to his "workaholic" villainy.
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So, what happened?
Basically, Samuel L. Jackson is the busiest man in Hollywood. Between the Marvel Cinematic Universe, various indie projects, and his constant stream of voice work, the schedules just didn't align. Murphy joked that Jackson was "too big" now, but it really came down to a simple conflict of dates.
The "And Samuel L. Jackson" Credit
It’s funny to look back at his uncredited-style role in 1988 compared to how he’s billed today. If you watch a Marvel movie now, he often gets the prestigious "And Samuel L. Jackson" final billing.
In the industry, that's a spot of honor. It’s reserved for the legend who anchors the film, even if they aren't the primary protagonist. In Coming to America, he was at the bottom of the call sheet. By the time the sequel rolled around, he was too high up on it to find a free weekend to fly to the set.
Little-known facts about the shoot
- The Location: The McDowell’s in the movie wasn't a set. It was a functioning Wendy’s on Queens Boulevard. They just swapped the signs.
- The Improv: While the script was tight, many of the actors, including Jackson, brought a specific New York energy that wasn't always on the page. His "diseased rhinoceros pizzle" insult (thrown at him by Akeem) remains a highlight of the script's creative cursing.
- Early Career Hustle: The same year Coming to America hit theaters, Jackson also appeared in Spike Lee’s School Daze. He was essentially building the foundation of his career by playing "street tough" characters before breaking out as a lead.
What we can learn from the Hold-Up Man
There is a lesson here for anyone in a creative field. Jackson didn't treat the "Hold-Up Man" like a throwaway role. He played it with 100% commitment. He was scary, he was funny, and he was memorable.
Most actors would have faded into the background of an Eddie Murphy vehicle. Jackson made sure you remembered the guy with the shotgun.
If you’re looking to revisit this piece of cinematic history, pay close attention to his eyes during the robbery. That intensity isn't "background actor" energy. That’s "future highest-grossing actor of all time" energy.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to track Jackson's evolution from this specific role, your next move is to watch Jungle Fever (1991). It’s the performance that caught Quentin Tarantino’s eye and led directly to Pulp Fiction. You can see the DNA of the "Hold-Up Man" in those early Spike Lee collaborations, but with much more dramatic weight. Also, keep an eye out for Cuba Gooding Jr. in the barbershop scene of Coming to America—it was a breeding ground for future Oscar winners.