Jack Nicholson Biography

JACK NICHOLSON

Date of Birth: April 22, 1937

If you've ever thought that Jack Nicholson was not born on this planet, you're half right. Actually, he was born in Neptune ... Neptune, New Jersey, that is. It wasn't so long ago that Nicholson found out just how otherworldly his upbringing was when a Time magazine reporter discovered the fact that the "sister" who'd help bring him up was actually his mother and the woman he thought was his mother was really his grandmother. Upon hearing this piece of news, he said, "Such is the price of fame. People start poking around in your private life, and the next thing you know, your sister is actually your mother."

If that sounds like the actor with the Cheshire cat grin didn't sweat this piece of information, well, you'd expect nothing less of Nicholson who says: "I don't sweat nothin'. " But it hasn't always been that way as he must have sweat a little at the thought that his career was going nowhere fast after spending a decade in second-rate horror and motorcycle movies (many helmed by fringe director Roger Corman).

Nicholson's big break came when Rip Torn backed out of the minor role in Easy Rider that Nicholson stepped into. That role—as the drunken lawyer who gets beaten to death—earned him the first of his many Oscar nominations, an award he would finally win in 1975 for his role as Murphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. He recently also appeared in the 2012 documentary Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel, about the life of legendary producer/director Roger Corman.

A versatile actor, he's also an avid art collector and, along with long-time pal Warren Beatty, was once known as one of Hollywood's leading Lotharios. In 2008, Nicholson was inducted into the California Hall of Fame and in 2010, he was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame for his services and contributions to Arts and Entertainment.

* 1997 Actor in a Leading Role Oscar winner for As Good As It Gets.

Filmography:

Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel (2012)
How Do You Know (2010)
The Bucket List (2007)
The Departed (2006)
Something's Gotta Give (2003)
Anger Management (2003)
About Schmidt (2002)
The Pledge (2001)
As Good As It Gets (1997)
Blood and Wine (1996)
The Evening Star (1996)
Mars Attacks! (1996)
The Crossing Guard (1995)
Wolf (1994)
A Few Good Men (1992)
Hoffa (1992)
Man Trouble (1992)
The Two Jakes (1990)
Batman (1989)
Broadcast News (1987)
Ironweed (1987)
The Witches of Eastwick (1987)
Heartburn (1986)
Prizzi's Honor (1985)
Terms of Endearment (1983)
The Border (1982)
Notre Dame de La Croisette (1981)
The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981)
Reds (1981)
The Shining (1980)
Goin' South (1978)
The Last Tycoon (1976)
The Missouri Breaks (1976)
The Fortune (1975)
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
The Passenger (1975)
Tommy (1975)
Chinatown (1974)
El Reportero (1974)
The Last Detail (1973)
Drive, He Said (1972)
The King of Marvin Gardens (1972)
Carnal Knowledge (1971)
A Safe Place (1971)
Five Easy Pieces (1970)
On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (1970)
The Rebel Rousers (1970)
Easy Rider (1969)
Head (1968)
Psych-Out (1968)
Hell's Angels on Wheels (1967)
The Shooting (1967)
Flight to Fury (1966)
Ride in the Whirlwind (1965)
Back Door to Hell (1964)
Ensign Pulver (1964)
The Raven (1963)
The Terror (1963)
The Broken Land (1962)
The Little Shop of Horrors (1960)
Studs Lonigan (1960)
Too Soon to Love (1960)
The Wild Ride (1960)
The Cry Baby Killer (1958)