50 Facts About Jack Nicholson

Early Life and Family Secrets

Jack Nicholson's life began with a twist that would later become a Hollywood legend. His early years were marked by surprising revelations and unique family dynamics.

1. Jack Nicholson was born on April 22, 1937, in Neptune, New Jersey, USA.
2. Nicholson discovered a surprising family secret when he was 37 years old. A Time magazine reporter revealed that his parents, John and Ethel May, were actually his grandparents. His mother, June Nicholson, was unmarried and only 17 years old when she had him.

Career Beginnings and Breakthroughs

Nicholson's journey to stardom started with humble beginnings in the late 1950s. His early roles laid the foundation for a career that would soon skyrocket.

3. Nicholson started his acting career in the late 1950s. His first film role was in the 1958 movie "The Cry Baby Killer".
4. During the early years of his career, Nicholson played major roles in B-films and occasional supporting roles in A-films. One of his notable early roles was in the 1964 film "Ensign Pulver".
5. Nicholson also dabbled in screenwriting. His best-known credits include Corman’s LSD-hallucination film "The Trip" (1967) and the surrealistic romp "Head" (1968).
6. Nicholson’s breakthrough role came in 1969 with "Easy Rider," a seminal counterculture film starring Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper. His performance as an alcoholic lawyer earned him his first Oscar nomination.

Iconic Roles and Oscar Wins

Nicholson's career is defined by a series of iconic roles that have left an indelible mark on cinema. His performances have earned him numerous accolades, including several Oscars.

7. The following year, Nicholson starred in "Five Easy Pieces," an episodic, existentialist drama. His portrayal of a man alienated from his family, friends, career, and lovers garnered him another Oscar nomination.
8. Nicholson’s next successful film was director Mike Nichols’s "Carnal Knowledge." The movie, released in 1971, explored themes of relationships and sex.
9. In 1973, Nicholson starred in "The Last Detail," a film about a rowdy military police officer who reluctantly escorts a young sailor to military prison. His performance earned him a Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival.
10. The same year, Nicholson starred in Roman Polanski’s "Chinatown," an homage to the film noir detective films of the 1940s. His brilliant performance as stylish private eye Jake Gittes earned him another Oscar nomination.
11. Nicholson’s portrayal of Randle P. McMurphy in the movie adaptation of Ken Kesey’s novel "One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest" (1975) earned him his first Best Actor Oscar. The film also won Best Picture and Best Actress for Louise Fletcher.
12. Although he did not garner any Academy Award attention for Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of Stephen King’s "The Shining" (1980), it remains one of Nicholson’s most significant roles.
13. Nicholson’s next Oscar, the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, came for his role of retired astronaut Garrett Breedlove in "Terms of Endearment" (1983), directed by James L. Brooks.
14. Nicholson’s role as the Joker in Tim Burton’s "Batman" (1989) not only made him one of the most famous but also one of the wealthiest actors in Hollywood. He arranged a deal to receive a percentage of the merchandising profits, earning him over $50 million.
15. In 2007, Nicholson starred alongside Morgan Freeman in "The Bucket List," a film about two terminally ill men who escape a hospital ward to accomplish everything they want to do before dying.
16. Nicholson’s understated acting in the melancholic comedy "About Schmidt" (2002) earned him a 12th Academy Award nomination. The film is about a retired widower seeking to mend his relationship with his daughter.
17. In 2006, Nicholson appeared as Irish mobster Frank Costello in Martin Scorsese’s "The Departed." The film won several Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director.
18. Nicholson continued his success in comedic roles when he starred as an over-the-top psychiatrist in "Anger Management" (2003).
19. He also starred as an aging playboy who falls in love with a playwright (played by Diane Keaton) in "Something’s Gotta Give" (2004).
20. In "How Do You Know" (2010), Nicholson played an irascible father, marking his fourth collaboration with director James L. Brooks.

Awards and Recognitions

Nicholson's talent has been recognized with numerous awards, making him one of the most celebrated actors in Hollywood.

21. Nicholson has won seven Golden Globe Awards, including Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for "Chinatown" (1975).
22. He received a Grammy Award for Best Recording for Children in 1988.
23. Nicholson also received a Screen Actors Guild Award for his outstanding performance in "About Schmidt" (2002).
24. In 1994, he became one of the youngest actors to be awarded the American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award.
25. Nicholson received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2001 for his contributions to the arts.

Notable Films and Directorial Ventures

Nicholson's filmography is filled with notable films that have become classics. He has also ventured into directing, showcasing his versatility in the film industry.

26. Some of his notable films include "Easy Rider," "Five Easy Pieces," "Chinatown," "One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest," "The Shining," "Terms of Endearment," "Batman," "Hoffa," "Mars Attacks," "Something’s Gotta Give," and "The Departed".
27. Nicholson has directed three films: "Drive, He Said" (1971), "Goin’ South" (1978), and "The Two Jakes" (1990).

Personal Life and Interests

Beyond his acting career, Nicholson has a rich personal life filled with interesting hobbies and relationships.

28. Nicholson has been nominated for an acting Oscar in five different decades: the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. He is one of only two actors to be nominated for an acting Oscar in films made in every decade from the 1960s to the 2000s (alongside Michael Caine).
29. With three Oscar wins, Nicholson ties with Walter Brennan for the second-highest number of Oscar wins in acting categories. He won Best Actor for "One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest" and "As Good as It Gets," and Best Supporting Actor for "Terms of Endearment".
30. Nicholson has presented the Best Picture Oscar eight times, more than any other actor or actress. His presentations include the 1972, 1977, 1978, 1990, 1993, 2006, 2007, and 2013 ceremonies.
31. Nicholson has never done a talk show. He created a record at school by being in detention every day for a whole year. He always wears sunglasses and has said, “With my sunglasses on, I’m Jack Nicholson. Without them, I’m fat and 70”.
32. Nicholson is an avid art collector. He has a keen eye for art and has amassed a significant collection over the years.
33. He is a Lakers fan and loves baseball, especially the New York Yankees.
34. Despite his significant contributions to the film industry, Nicholson received a payment of only $329 a week for his role in "Easy Rider".
35. Nicholson’s relatives and Danny DeVito’s relatives managed a hair salon together. The two actors are boyhood friends.
36. Nicholson claims his personal favorite performances are his works in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest," "Batman," "Hoffa," and "As Good as It Gets".
37. Nicholson loves jokes at his expense so much that he showed up at every Academy Awards hosted by Billy Crystal, who in turn would incorporate Nicholson somehow in the telecast.
38. As of 2009, Nicholson has an estimated fortune of nearly $240 million.
39. He lives on the famed "Bad Boy Drive," a.k.a. Mulholland Drive in Beverly Hills, California. The nickname is due to its residents, including former Hollywood bad boys Warren Beatty and the late Marlon Brando.
40. After his first screen test, Louis B. Mayer said to him: “I don’t know what we can use you for.” This early rejection did not deter Nicholson from pursuing his acting career.

Impact and Legacy

Nicholson's influence on the film industry and popular culture is immense. His roles and contributions have left a lasting legacy.

41. Nicholson turned down the role of Michael Corleone in "The Godfather" because he believed the role should be played by an Italian actor. He said, “I turned down the original Godfather because I thought it should’ve been played by an Italian. I both do and don’t regret that decision, but I know it was right. Al Pacino was the perfect actor for it, and the picture is better because of him”.
42. Nicholson’s role in "Easy Rider" placed him in the company of earlier "antihero" actors, such as James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart, while promoting him into an "overnight number-one hero of the counter-culture movement”.
43. After "Easy Rider," Nicholson’s career and income skyrocketed. He said, “I have [become] much sought after. Your name becomes a brand image like a product. You become Campbell’s soup, with thirty-one different varieties of roles you can play”.
44. Nicholson likes to play people that haven’t existed yet, a ‘cusp character.’ He told his new agent, Sandy Bresler, to find him unusual roles so he could stretch his acting skill.
45. Nicholson is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation. Throughout his five-decade career, he appeared in 80 films, for which he received numerous accolades.
46. Nicholson has won seven Golden Globe Awards, a Grammy Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. He also received the American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award in 1994 and the Kennedy Center Honor in 2001.
47. Nicholson’s influence on the film industry is immense. He has been nominated for an acting Oscar in five different decades and has won three Oscars. He is one of only two actors to be nominated for an acting Oscar in films made in every decade from the 1960s to the 2000s (alongside Michael Caine).
48. Nicholson’s legacy extends beyond his acting career. He has been a cultural icon, influencing generations of actors and filmmakers. His roles in films like "Easy Rider," "Five Easy Pieces," and "Chinatown" continue to inspire new generations of filmmakers and actors.
49. While much of his life has been in the public eye, Nicholson has also been involved in various philanthropic activities. His contributions to the arts and his support for various charitable causes have made him a respected figure in both the film industry and society at large.
50. Despite his long career, Jack Nicholson remains an enduring figure in popular culture. His iconic roles and his ability to adapt to different genres have cemented his place as one of the greatest actors of all time. His influence on the film industry continues to be felt, and his legacy will endure for generations to come.

Jack Nicholson's Lasting Legacy

Jack Nicholson's impact on Hollywood is undeniable. With a career spanning over five decades, he's delivered unforgettable performances in films like "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," "The Shining," and "Chinatown." His versatility, from playing antiheroes to comedic roles, showcases his incredible range. Beyond acting, Nicholson's contributions as a director and screenwriter add depth to his legacy. His influence extends to generations of actors and filmmakers, making him a true icon. Nicholson's personal life, filled with intriguing stories and family secrets, adds another layer to his fascinating persona. Whether it's his love for the Lakers or his impressive art collection, Jack Nicholson remains a captivating figure. His enduring popularity and significant contributions to the film industry ensure that his legacy will continue to inspire and entertain for years to come.