Biography for
Jack Nicholson

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Date of Birth

22 April 1937, Manhattan, New York, USA

Birth Name

John Joseph Nicholson

Apodo

Mulholland Man
Nick

Estatura

5' 9¾" (1.77 m)

Mini Biography

Abandoned by his father in his childhood, he was raised believing his grandmother was his mother and his mother was his older sister. The truth was revealed to him years later when a Time magazine researcher uncovered the truth while preparing a story on the star. Jack had a 17-year relationship with actress Anjelica Huston, which ended in 1990 after Rebecca Broussard was carrying his child.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Gustaf Molin

Esposo/a

Sandra Knight

(17 June 1962 - 8 August 1968) (divorced) 1 child

Trade Mark

Shark's grin, sunglasses

Slow drawl

Often plays charming, anti-authoritarian characters

Frequently works with Danny DeVito

Trivialidades

Ranked #6 in Empire (UK) magazine's "The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time" list. [October 1997]

Recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute. [1994]

Used to be a messenger boy for MGM's cartoon department.

Children: Jennifer Nicholson (b. 1963) with Sandra Knight; Caleb (b. 1970) with Susan Anspach; Honey Hollman (b. 1981) with Danish supermodel, Winnie Hollman; Lorraine Nicholson (b. 1990) and Raymond (b. 1992) with Rebecca Broussard.

He was the 2001 John F. Kennedy Center Honors recipient.

Dedicated his Oscar for As Good as It Gets (1997) to J.T. Walsh, his co-star in A Few Good Men (1992) who had died shortly before the Academy Awards in 1998.

In 1994, in an apparent bout of rage, he smashed a man's car window in with a golf club. He expressed remorse for the incident in an interview with US Magazine.

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.

Lives on famed "Bad Boy Drive" a.k.a. Mulholland Drive in Beverly Hills, California. It's nicknamed so because its residents have included former Hollywood bad boys Warren Beatty, and the late Marlon Brando.

Avid Los Angeles Lakers fan and is often seated next to his good friend Lou Adler. He never misses a Lakers home game. Because of this, producers on his films must work the shooting schedule around the Lakers' schedule. Nicholson is also a life-long fan of the New York Yankees.

Was asked, along with Dustin Hoffman and Warren Beatty, to play the role of Michael Corleone in The Godfather (1972).

Dated Lara Flynn Boyle [1999-2001]

The Best Lady at his wedding to Sandra Knight was Millie Perkins. The Best Man was Harry Dean Stanton. After their divorce, Nicholson lived, for a time, at Harry Dean Stanton's place.

Long refused to do any televised interviews except for press conferences. But in recent years, he has occasionally agreed to speak briefly when approached by reporters. He has not appeared on a talk show since 1971.

Flew to Cuba and met with Fidel Castro in June 1998. While there, he also met with leaders of the Cuban film industry, enjoyed local restaurants, jazz clubs and visited a famous cigar factory. He left greatly impressed with the country and its Communist dictator, who he described as "a genius", though the luxuries he was treated to on the island are off-limits to most Cuban citizens.

Each one of the films for which he has won an Oscar has also won Best Actress in a Leading Role (Louise Fletcher, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975); Shirley MacLaine, Terms of Endearment (1983); Helen Hunt, As Good as It Gets (1997)).

Has a second home in Aspen, Colorado.

Graduate of Manasquan High School, Manasquan, New Jersey, where he was voted "Class Clown" by the Class of 1954.

Boyhood friend of Danny DeVito. Nicholson's relatives and DeVito's relatives ran a hair salon together.

Presented the Best Picture Oscar seven times (1972, 1977, 1978, 1990, 1993, 2006 and 2007), more than any other actor or actress. Though he was a relative new comer and lacked the status typically associated with Best Picture presenters, the then-two-time nominee took on the assignment in 1972 when many better-known celebrities balked at the job, worried that they would be tainted if Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange (1971) won the top gong and they were seen by the public as linked to the controversial picture. Nicholson, who early on declared publicly that the loved the Oscar (when the sentiment wasn't chic), happily obliged. In addition to presenting the Best Actress trophy in 1999, he also presented the Thalberg Award to Warren Beatty in 2000 and an honorary award to Michelangelo Antonioni in 1995.

Owns a large art collection including works by Pablo Picasso and Tamara de Lempicka

Batman creator Bob Kane personally recommended him for the role of the Joker in Batman (1989).

His mother, June Nicholson, was of Irish and Dutch descent. He never knew his father and was raised by his grandparents. He was led to believe that June was his older sister and his grandparents were his parents. It was not until 1974 when a Time magazine reporter researched his life that he learned the truth. An Italian immigrant named Donald Furcillo who was married briefly to June claimed to be his father. But Nicholson chose not to investigate further.

Turned down the role of Johnny Hooker in The Sting (1973) to play Billy "Bad Ass" Buddusky in The Last Detail (1973), which was written by his close friend Robert Towne, as he did not want to appear in a purely commercial picture just then. Robert Redford eventually played the part. Both Nicholson and Redford were nominated for Best Actor of 1973 at the Academy Awards, losing to Jack Lemmon for Save the Tiger (1973).

Turned down the lead role of Roy Neary in Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), even though he knew the movie would be a hit as he felt that the special effects would overwhelm any actor in the movie.

Appeared in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) and Tommy (1975). Both of those films were nominated for Best Actress Oscars. "Cuckoo" star Louise Fletcher won.

Has been nominated for an acting Oscar in five different decades (1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s).

In 2004, he attended his 50th high school reunion at Manasquan High School in Manasquan, New Jersey. Needless to say, his classmates were surprised and delighted that he attended.

Is one of only a few actors to win a Best Supporting Actor Oscar after winning a Best Actor Oscar.

The character Shipwreck from the animated GI Joe series of the 1980s was partly based on him (and partly based on Popeye the Sailor Man).

Claims his personal favorite performances are his works in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), Batman (1989), Hoffa (1992) and As Good as It Gets (1997).

Nicholson has been nominated for a Razzie Award as Worst Actor twice, for his performances in Man Trouble (1992) and Hoffa (1992).

With his seventh Best Actor nomination for As Good as It Gets (1997) , he surpassed Laurence Olivier as the most nominated actor ever with 11 total nominations (Nicholson had four Best Supporting Actor nominations in 1970, 1982, 1984 and 1991; Olivier had nine Best Actor and one Best Supporting Actor nominations. He extended the lead with his eight Best Actor nod for 'About Schmidt' (2001)_, which tied him with Spencer Tracy and Paul Newman for second place in Best Actor nominations. (Newman also has one Supporting Actor nomination.).

An 12 time acting nominee (eight times as Best Actor, four times as Best Supporting Actor), he ties Katharine Hepburn's 12 nominations (all in the Best Actress category) and only Meryl Streep with 13 (10 in the Best Actress category) has more acting nominations. ('Bette Davis' was nominated 10 times for an Academy Award, all of them Best Actress nods.).

After presenting the Best Picture Oscar at the The 78th Annual Academy Awards (2006) (TV) to Crash (2004/I), he told the press he was surprised as he thought Brokeback Mountain (2005) would win. Nicholson then told the press that he himself had voted for Brokeback Mountain (2005).

His performance as "Badass" Buddusky in The Last Detail (1973) is ranked #12 on Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Performances of All Time (2006).

His performance as Randle Patrick McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) is ranked #47 on Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Performances of All Time (2006).

The song "Santa Baby" in the film, Party Monster (1998) was recorded as a gift for the actor by the actress and recording artist, Cynthia Basinet, as were many other songs, including "Haunted Heart" and "Someone To Watch Over Me". She was later nominated for a shared Nobel in '05.

Was in attendance at Chris Penn's funeral

Along with Marlon Brando, Nicholson eagerly sought the role of Dr Martin Dysart in Sidney Lumet's film adaptation of Sir Peter Shaffer's play Equus (1977). The part went instead to Richard Burton, who received his seventh and final Oscar nomination for his performance.

His performance as Jack Torrance in The Shining (1980) is ranked #82 on Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time.

His performance as Jake 'J.J.' Gittes in Chinatown (1974) is ranked #37 on Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time.

His performance as Randle Patrick McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) is ranked #14 on Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time.

Turned down the role of Caligula in the infamous Bob Guccione film Caligola (1979). The role eventually went to Malcolm McDowell.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) is ranked #17 on the American Film Institute's 100 Most Inspiring Movies of All Time.

He turned down the role of Richard Nixon in Nixon (1995).

Turned down the role of Willie in Bad Santa (2003).

His performance as Jack Torrance in The Shining (1980) is ranked #25 on the American Film Institute's 100 Heroes & Villains.

His performance as The Joker in Batman (1989) is ranked #45 on the American Film Institute's 100 Heroes & Villains.

Premiere Magazine ranked him #16 on a list of The Greatest Movie Stars of All Time in their Stars in Our Constellation feature (2005).

Was considered for the role of Allie Fox in The Mosquito Coast (1986). The part went to Harrison Ford instead.

He is a fan of professional wrestling

Demolished his neighbor Marlon Brando's bungalow, which he bought for £3.4 million following the actor's death in 2004.

Checked himself into Cedars Sinai Hospital with a salivary gland infection. (11 September 2006)

Was offered the role of Sy in One Hour Photo (2002) but turned in down. The part was given to Robin Williams instead.

With his win for As Good as It Gets (1997) in 1998, he became the first actor in 20 years to win both a Best Actor Golden Globe - Comedy and an Oscar for the same role.

He had to stop promoting The Departed (2006) due to neck injury.

His mother June died from cancer in 1963.

Had a relationship to Anjelica Huston from 1973 to 1989.

As he is a fan of professional wrestling, his all time favorites are Harley Race, Ric Flair and John Cena.

The longest he has ever gone between Oscar nominations was six years, between One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) and Reds (1981).

He was considered for Jon Voight's role in Coming Home (1978).

He was considered for Jason Miller's role in The Exorcist (1973).

Most of Nicholson's performance in On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (1970) ended up on the cutting room floor, including a musical number sung by him.

He was considered for Harrison Ford's role in The Mosquito Coast (1986).

He was considered for Sir Anthony Hopkins's role in The Silence of the Lambs (1991).

He was considered for Dustin Hoffman's role in Sam Peckinpah's controversial film Straw Dogs (1971).

Along with Clint Eastwood, Nicholson turned down George Clooney's role in Three Kings (1999).

Turned down Gene Hackman's role in Hoosiers (1986).

He was considered for John Malkovich's role in In the Line of Fire (1993).

He was considered for James Caan's role in Misery (1990).

He was considered for Mickey Rourke's role in Angel Heart (1987).

He is tied with Walter Brennan for the most Oscar wins by any male actor.

Appears in Batman (1989) opposite Pat Hingle. Hingle appeared in "The Shining" (1997), a remake of The Shining (1980), in which Nicholson appeared.

Was the first choice to play Tank Sullivan in Space Cowboys (2000). The part went to James Garner.

Wants to one day induct Ric Flair into the WWE Hall Of Fame.

Once said in an interview that if he can get Jim Carrey, Tom Cruise, Robert Downey Jr. and Johnny Depp to be a part of it, he will start his own wrestling promotion.

Was originally signed to play Daddy Warbucks in John Huston's Annie (1982) but dropped out after the original producer departed the project.

Shaved his head for The Bucket List (2007).

William Friedkin tried to get Nicholson star in Sorcerer (1977), but Nicholson didn't want travel anywhere in that time.

Good friends with Serbian NBA superstar Vlade Divac.

Once described The Joker as a psychotic version of Bugs Bunny.

Rolling Stone magazine nicknamed him "The Great Seducer".

In June 1954, he graduated from Manasquan High School in New Jersey and headed for California, where he went on to work in the MGM cartoon department and mail room.

Good friends with WWE Hall of Famer George "The Animal" Steele.

Was born in Manhattan, New York City but a birth certificate was not issued for unknown reasons. It was not until he was 17 when his family requested a certificate stating Neptune, New Jersey as his birth place.

Has owned a Mercedes-Benz 600 for 30 years which he considers the best touring car of all time. [2008]

Is a lifelong devotee of Bob Dylan and Louis Armstrong.

Publicly endorsed Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton as his choice for Democratic candidate in the 2008 presidential election, joking that she is "the best man for the job".

His Mulholland Drive home once shared a driveway with his The Missouri Breaks (1976) co-star Marlon Brando's home.

The last two Oscar-winning films in which Nicholson appeared have both featured songs by Van Morrison ("Day Like This" in As Good As It Gets and a cover of Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" in The Departed).

His famous trademark sunglasses have prescription lenses, since he is very short-sighted.

Personal Quotes

The average celebrity meets, in one year, ten times the amount of people that the average person meets in his entire life.

"It was one of the few times when it was money well spent." [about the $5 million he earned for A Few Good Men (1992) ]

"When I read the part, I knew I'd win the Oscar for it." [regarding Terms of Endearment (1983)]

You only lie to two people in your life: your girlfriend and the police.

If you get an impulse in a scene, no matter how wrong it seems, follow the impulse. It might be something and if it ain't - take two!

A star on a movie set is like a time bomb. That bomb has got to be defused so people can approach it without fear.

[On the birth of his son after having had two daughters:] "I finally got it right."

When I come up against a director who has a concept that I don't agree with, or maybe I just haven't thought of it or whatever, I'd be more prone to go with them than my own because I want to be out of control as an actor, I want them to have the control, otherwise it's going to become predictably my work, and that's not fun.

I only take viagra when I am with more than one woman.

I'm not a raver anymore, all good things must come to an end.

I was particularly proud of my performance as the Joker. I considered it a piece of pop art.

My motto is: more good times.

A question you always ask in acting is, Where were you going if this scene didn't interrupt the movements of the character?

"You're new here, aren't you?" Nicholson, who rarely is seen in public without his sunglasses, replied when asked by a photographer to take off his glasses for a photo.

There's a period just before you start a movie when you start thinking, I don't know what in the world I'm going to do. It's free-floating anxiety. In my case, though, this is over by lunch the first day of shooting.

Every director implored me, "Jack, can't you talk a little bit faster?" It was like a hot button for me and I would become hateful. So when Roman started to say it, I began and he said, "Jack, this movie is 100-and-something pages long. To have a movie that is screen able, you'll have to talk a little faster". [Roman Polanski directed him in Chinatown (1974)].

[On turning down the role played by Robert Redford in The Sting (1973)] "I liked the period, the whole project and I knew it would be commercial. But at the time, I needed to put my energies into a movie that really needed them. I needed to take a risk".

[On being nominated for an Oscar for the third time for The Last Detail (1973)] "The first time I was up for an Oscar, I thought I would win it. But I didn't have as sharp a view as I do now. The second time...I expected to lose, and deservedly lose, to George C. Scott. But even getting a nomination blows my mind. I'd love to win but now that I've had several good performances that people at large have liked, it becomes harder to excite them. And familiarity breeds contempt".

So I mean it when I say that if you can't appreciate Brando, I wouldn't know how to talk to you. If there's anything obvious in life, this is it. Other actors don't go around discussing who is the best actor in the world, because it's obvious - Marlon Brando is.

I don't want people to know what I'm actually like. It's not good for an actor.

I'm very contra my constituency in terms of abortion because I'm positively against it. I don't have the right to any other view. My only emotion is gratitude, literally, for my life.

"Just because you're a perfectionist doesn't mean you're perfect." - On Stanley Kubrick

Beer, it's the best damn drink in the world.

"I don't believe in God now. I can still work up an envy for someone who has a faith. I can see how that could be a deeply soothing experience." (1992)

As an actor, I have no desire for anybody to understand my past work. Period.

"I just wish every film I liked wasn't either foreign or made in America but with such terrible difficulty. This is the worst period ever for trying to do interesting work." (1996)

With my sunglasses on, I'm Jack Nicholson. Without them, I'm fat and seventy.

I would be so happy if I didn't smoke, for a lot of reasons. I can't believe that I can't break the habit. I don't want to be lying around, dying in Cedar's Sinai Hospital and thinking that I was as stupid enough, a man who is as petrified of dying as I am, to have done it to myself. I'm a real fraidy-cat about mortality.

The thing I like about The Joker is that his sense of humor is completely tasteless.

We were moving to a freer society before AIDS. Most people who investigated this knew that if you were not shooting up or getting f***ed in the heinie, you were as likely to get AIDS as you were to have a safe fall on your head while walking down Wilshire Boulevard. But you could not proselytize this view. The facts were almost useless. You couldn't give a woman the facts and have her respond, 'Oh, all right.'

I think it is very unattractive for me to be seen fawning over little, tiny girls. I didn't feel that for a long time but now I do. If I could slip them out the back entrance wrapped in a blanket, that's a different story. (February 2004)

[on Jessica Lange] She is like a delicate fawn, but crossed with a Buick.

I've grown out of talking like I know something when I don't.

Explaining his controversial remarks on the death of Heath Ledger: What I actually said was, 'I warned them.' I had a bad experience with those sleeping pills that Ledger apparently took. I took one of these pills and had just gone to sleep when I had a phone call to go to an emergency at a friend's house. I jumped up, went outside and some time later woke up on the driveway. It sounds amusing but I live in the mountains and it could've been worse. I didn't know Heath Ledger, but I know those pills.

Star quality is if you're on stage and a cat walks on and they still watch you.

Salario

About Schmidt (2002)	$10,000,000
The Pledge (2001)	$10,000,000
As Good as It Gets (1997)	$15,000,000
Wolf (1994)	$13,000,000
Hoffa (1992)	$10,000,000
A Few Good Men (1992)	$5,000,000
Batman (1989)	$60,000,000 (total earnings)
The Witches of Eastwick (1987)	$6,000,000
The Missouri Breaks (1976)	$125,000 + 10% of all gross receipts above $12.5m
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)	$1,000,000 + 15% gross
On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (1970)	$12,500

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