Jack Nicholson, born John Joseph Nicholson on April 22, 1937, in Neptune City, New Jersey, is an American actor, director, and screenwriter. Known for his intense acting style and often complex, nuanced characters, Nicholson is one of Hollywood's most celebrated actors. Raised believing his grandmother was his mother and his mother was his sister, Nicholson only discovered the truth as an adult, an event that significantly impacted his life and art. Beginning his career in the 1950s, Nicholson achieved breakthrough success in 1969 with the film "Easy Rider".

Interests

Nicholson is known for his passion for art and painting, as well as basketball, being a fervent fan of the Los Angeles Lakers. He is also an avid golfer. His personal life has been marked by romantic relationships with some of Hollywood's most famous women and an often-described "rebellious" demeanor.

Major Films

"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1975): His portrayal of Randle McMurphy earned him an Oscar for Best Actor, showcasing his ability to play rebellious and nonconformist characters.

"The Shining" (1980): In this Stanley Kubrick film, Nicholson played the memorable Jack Torrance, a role that has become iconic in the horror genre.

"Terms of Endearment" (1983): In this drama, Nicholson showed a more sensitive and vulnerable side, different from his previous roles.

"As Good as It Gets" (1997): His performance in this film earned him another Oscar, demonstrating his skill in blending comedy and drama.

Filmography

Actor

1958 - "The Cry Baby Killer" (Jus Addiss)

1960 - "The Little Shop of Horrors" (Roger Corman)

1966 - "The Shooting" (Monte Hellman)

1969 - "Easy Rider" (Dennis Hopper)

1970 - "Five Easy Pieces" (Bob Rafelson)

1971 - "Carnal Knowledge" (Mike Nichols)

1974 - "Chinatown" (Roman Polanski)

1975 - "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (Miloš Forman)

1980 - "The Shining" (Stanley Kubrick)

1983 - "Terms of Endearment" (James L. Brooks)

1989 - "Batman" (Tim Burton)

1992 - "A Few Good Men" (Rob Reiner)

1997 - "As Good as It Gets" (James L. Brooks)

2002 - "About Schmidt" (Alexander Payne)

2006 - "The Departed" (Martin Scorsese)

As a Director:

1971 - "Drive, He Said"

1978 - "Goin' South"

1990 - "The Two Jakes"

Awards

Academy Awards:

• Best Actor for "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1975)
• Best Supporting Actor for "Terms of Endearment" (1983)
• Best Actor for "As Good as It Gets" (1997)

Golden Globe Awards:

• Multiple awards including Best Actor for films like "Chinatown," "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," and "As Good as It Gets"

BAFTA Awards:

• Best Actor for "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1976)
• Best Actor for "The Last Detail" (1974) and "Chinatown" (1974)