Samuel L. Jackson says getting to keep his purple light saber comforted him as his time acting in the "Star Wars" franchise drew to an end.

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The 56-year-old "Shaft" and "Pulp Fiction" star, who played a Jedi in Episodes I, II and III of the "Star Wars" saga, said in New York he was presented with the prop when he wrapped his final scenes in the third prequel.

"It's just joy," Jackson said. "Everybody is just so glad to be a part of it and see it finally happen. Even when (my character) died and they gave me my light saber, it was kind of like a great moment. 'I get my light saber?' Yes!!! 'I can take it home?' Yes!!!"

Jackson said he wrapped his treasure carefully and stashed it in his carry-on bag when it was time to head home, fearing it would disappear if he checked it with his luggage.

"I didn't let it out of my sight," he recalled. "I had it on my person at all times when I finally got it. So, no, we didn't have any, 'Wow, it's over.' Because it's never really over until you see the completed film. I did 'Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith' two-and-a-half years ago, almost three and over that period of three years, I've gone back six times to do stuff because (creator) George Lucas is always tinkering."