John Joseph Nicholson was born on April 22, 1937, in Bellevue Hospital in New York City. This highly successful American method actor never knew who his father was and has never tried to find out. His mother was June Frances Nichols, a showgirl of English-Irish descent. There was much confusion as to who was who in the household where he grew up as his grandmother raised him so that her daughter could pursue her dancing career, and Jack thought his sister was his mother until the mid 1970s. He attended Manasquan High School where a drama award is named in his honor.
He made his screen debut in 1968 in “The Cry Baby Killer,” but his first big break came in 1969 in “Easy Rider” opposite Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda. The following year he was nominated for Best Actor for his performance in “Five Easy Pieces.” In 1975 he won his first Oscar for “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” followed by Best supporting Actor in 1983 for “Terms of Endearment”. Another Oscar followed in 1997 for “As Good As It Gets” opposite Helen Hunt.
He excels in dark comedic portrayals of neurotic characters. His consummate skill has earned him twelve nominations for Academy Awards so far throughout his prolific career, which is more than any male actor of record to date. He has also won seven Golden Globe Awards. His arrangement to own part of the profits of the film, “Batman” earned him about 50 million alone, making him a very wealthy man who enjoys watching Laker games and never works while one is going on.
He has four children by three different women and cannot settle down. By all accounts, he may be lacking as a husband but not as a father. His longest relationship (although not exclusive) was with Angelica Huston, which lasted for 17 years!
What are some of YOUR favorite Jack Nicholson performances? Please share.