Jack Nicholson biography, net worth, young, age, disease, wife and kids 2025

Jack Nicholson's Biography

John "Jack" Joseph Nicholson is an American actor, director, screenwriter, and producer who's become a Hollywood legend thanks to his unforgettable eccentric characters. Some of his most acclaimed films include Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining", Miloš Forman's "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", and Tim Burton's "Batman". His other standout films include "Easy Rider", "Five Easy Pieces", Roman Polanski's "Chinatown", "The Passenger", "Terms of Endearment", "A Few Good Men", "As Good as It Gets", and Martin Scorsese's "The Departed".

Every Jack Nicholson role has a hint of madness

Jack Nicholson has been nominated for the Oscar 12 times, winning three times: twice for Best Actor ("One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" in 1976 and "As Good as It Gets" in 1998) and once for Best Supporting Actor ("Terms of Endearment" in 1984). He has also received seven Golden Globe awards. In 1994, Nicholson became the youngest actor ever to receive a lifetime achievement award from the American Film Institute.

Childhood

Jack was born on April 22, 1937, in Manhattan, to June Nicholson, an 18-year-old dancer with Irish, English, and German roots. Six months before Jack was born, June married fellow performer Donald Furcillo, believing he was the father. Even though Donald was already married to someone else, he offered to support June and the baby. June's parents stepped in and took Jack so she could keep pursuing her dancing career.

Jack was raised by his grandparents – his grandfather worked as a shop window designer, while his grandmother was a hairdresser and beautician. He grew up thinking they were his parents and June was his sister. He didn't learn the truth until 1974, when TIME magazine journalists broke the news – after both his grandmother and mother had already died. Some believe June's manager, Eddie King, might actually have been Jack's biological father. But Jack never confirmed his true parentage, turning down all offers for DNA tests.

As a child, Jack Nicholson sang in the church choir

Nick – as his friends called him – was raised Catholic and even sang in the church choir. He was active in his grandmother's church community but drifted away from religion during his later school years. Though he often said he didn't consider himself an atheist, he wasn't exactly a regular churchgoer either. "The only time I pray is when I'm jogging," he once joked. By 1992, he'd concluded he was an agnostic.

Young Jack Nicholson (photo from the school diary)

When he graduated in 1954, his classmates unanimously voted him the class clown. Years later, the school created an acting award for outstanding students and named it after Nicholson.

Early Career

After finishing school, Nicholson headed to Los Angeles, determined to break into Hollywood. He started out as a gofer for animation legends William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. The studio quickly recognized his artistic talent and offered him a job as an animator's assistant. But with his sights set on acting, Jack turned it down.

Caricature of X-B studio staff (Jack Nicholson on the right in the top row)

In 1958, director Roger Corman gave Jack Nicholson his big break with "The Cry Baby Killer." Nicholson made his debut as a young criminal who panics after killing some teenagers.

Two years later, Nicholson snagged another role, once again playing a socially deviant character in another Corman film. Jack played a masochist in "The Little Shop of Horrors" who actually enjoyed having a toothache. He later appeared in "The Terror" and even briefly took over directing duties for Corman, though just for one day.

He went on to work with Corman on "The Raven" (1963) and "The St. Valentine's Day Massacre" (1967). In the latter half of the 60s, he wrote two scripts for director Monte Hellman and starred in the films they inspired: "Ride in the Whirlwind" and "The Shooting" (1966).

Jack Nicholson About Roger Corman

Screenwriter Out of Necessity

When those roles failed to launch his career, Nicholson pivoted to writing in 1967, betting he'd have better luck behind the camera. That year, he penned an LSD-inspired screenplay for "The Trip," starring Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper. Hooked on screenwriting, he teamed up with Bob Rafelson on their next project. Their collaboration resulted in the musical "Head," featuring the members of The Monkees. Additionally, Nicholson selected the movie's soundtrack.

Jack Nicholson, Dennis Hopper, and Peter Fonda, 1969

Meeting Hopper and Fonda helped the young Nicholson land a role in "Easy Rider." It was pure luck: the part was originally Rip Torn's, but he passed after clashing with the producer. Nicholson's portrayal of the perpetually drunk lawyer, George Hanson, became his breakout performance, earning him his first Oscar nomination.

The following year, he scored another Oscar nomination for his role in "Five Easy Pieces." That same year, he appeared in "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever" alongside Barbra Streisand, though he spent most of the film literally lying on the floor.

Hold the Chicken - Five Easy Pieces

He later auditioned for the role of Michael Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather" but was turned down.

In his youth, Jack Nicholson was boisterous, an alcoholic, and a drug addict.

Behind the playful cynicism and relaxed humor of Jack's characters, one can see an inner honesty that becomes vulnerable when reality delivers harsh surprises. This side of Jack was showcased to audiences in Roman Polanski's 1974 thriller "Chinatown." Nicholson's character – a coarse, no-nonsense private detective – earned him another Oscar nomination. In 1975, two more notable films featuring him hit the screens: "The Passenger" and "Tommy."

American Icon

After several nominations, Jack finally received his first Oscar. His award-winning performance came from his leading role in the iconic adaptation of Ken Kesey's "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest."

Jack Nicholson Wins Best Actor: 1976 Oscars

Critics hailed this as Nicholson's career-defining performance. His character, the fiery Irishman R.P. McMurphy, pretends to be mentally ill to avoid prison time.

A scene from "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"

After this breakthrough, he began taking on more unconventional roles in films like "The Last Tycoon," "The Missouri Breaks" with Marlon Brando, and "Goin' South." In 1980, he was cast as the lead in Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining," an adaptation of the horror novel by Stephen King. His portrayal of doomed writer Jack Torrance, slowly descending into madness at the sinister Overlook Hotel, remains arguably his most iconic and chilling performance.

Famous shot of Jack Nicholson from "The Shining"

Nicholson snagged another Oscar for his supporting role in "Terms of Endearment" (1983), playing boozy ex-astronaut Garrett Breedlove.

In the 80s, the actor also appeared in films like "The Postman Always Rings Twice," "Prizzi's Honor," "Reds," "The Witches of Eastwick," and "Ironweed" – all recognized as masterpieces of American cinema.

The Shining Bar Scene

Nicholson's 1989 "Batman" became a massive box office hit. His scene-stealing turn as the Joker netted him a cool $6 million. He was set to reprise this character in a sequel, "Batman Triumphant," but the project was canceled.

One of Nicholson's best roles: The Joker from 1989's "Batman"

Still, Nicholson's take became the definitive Joker for an entire generation. Later actors like Heath Ledger and Jared Leto brought their own spin to the Clown Prince of Crime, but Nicholson's manic energy set the gold standard.

Batman - Joker dance

He also received an Oscar nomination for his role as the fiery colonel in "A Few Good Men" (1992). This film gave birth to his iconic line, "You can't handle the truth!"

You Can't Handle the Truth!

As the century wound down, Nicholson claimed his third Oscar. His third statue came from his lead role in "As Good As It Gets" – a heartwarming comedy about an eccentric recluse who reconnects with those around him thanks to a dog.

"As Good As It Gets": Jack Nicholson and the dog

Of course, not every Nicholson performance hit the mark. The actor was nominated twice for the Golden Raspberry Awards for his roles in "Hoffa" and "Man Trouble."

The New Century

In 2002, the actor starred in "About Schmidt". This time, he played a retired insurance worker grappling with life's big questions, a character worlds apart from the explosive roles that made him famous.

In the comedy "Anger Management", he played an aggressive psychiatrist tasked with helping Adam Sandler's character get his emotions in check. In 2003, Nicholson played an aging playboy in "Something's Gotta Give" who falls for his girlfriend's mother.

Jack Nicholson and Adam Sandler in 'Anger Management'

In 2006, Jack went back to his dark side, playing a sadistic Irish mobster in the Oscar-winning "The Departed" alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon.

What was meant to be his final role came in "The Bucket List" (2007), where he played a cancer patient who teams up with his hospital roommate (Morgan Freeman) to check off a list of final wishes. To prep for the role, Nicholson spent time at a cancer hospital in Los Angeles, watching how patients fight the disease.

In 2007, Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman co-starred in a movie

But in 2010, he showed up in the romantic drama "How Do You Know" with Reese Witherspoon. The film bombed at the box office.

Jack Nicholson's Personal Life

Jack Nicholson has claimed he's slept with over two thousand women. But he's only been married once - to actress Sandra Knight, his co-star in "The Terror". She gave birth to their daughter Jennifer in 1963. The marriage lasted six years, from 1962 to 1968.

Jack Nicholson and Sandra Knight in 'The Terror'

He also has a daughter, Honey (born 1981), with Danish model Winnie Hollman; a son, Caleb (born 1970), with actress Susan Anspach; and two more kids with ex-girlfriend Rebecca Broussard - daughter Lorraine (born 1990) and son Ray (born 1992).

Jack Nicholson Now

In January 2013, his close friend Peter Fonda told the press that Jack Nicholson was calling it quits. The reason? Progressive memory loss - he simply couldn't remember his lines anymore. He even had to pass on a role in "Nebraska" - ironically, a character with Alzheimer's.

He officially announced his retirement in January 2017. Nicholson now enjoys retirement, staying out of the spotlight. He still has an eye for the ladies and enjoys life's pleasures. Jack rarely shows up in public, except to catch his beloved Los Angeles Lakers games, usually with his son in tow.

Jack Nicholson Rare Public Appearance

Patrick Aiden Stewart

The most ingenious actor and indeed a cool man Nicholson, who has not please fans with his new work in cinema for more than 10 years ...

2021-05-01 10:05:30
Felicia Stewart

I agree with the opinion that Nicholson is just a great Batman. But how many women and numerous novels this actor had, I`m just shocked. I think even his status does not allow him to behave like that, not like a gentleman.

2021-04-21 18:38:22
William Anderson

To find out that you are not really the son of grandparents, as he thought, but considered his own mother to be a sister, from journalists... This is a huge shock. I hope Jack has dealt with this childhood trauma long ago...

2021-04-16 15:49:29
Valerie Jones

Wow, 12 Oscar nominations !! That`s what I understand talent! I respect Nicholson in general

2021-03-13 19:46:09
Steven Watts

The Shining with Nicholson is a masterpiece and legend, of course. No wonder it is included in the list of the 250 best films

2021-01-08 15:20:47

Photos: Jack Nicholson