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Jack Nicholson’s Early Days
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Nearly 40 years later, in 1985, Nicholson’s world would be turned upside down when he learned from a TIME magazine reporter that his mother, Ethel, wasactually his grandmother, and that his sister June had actually given birth to him as a teenager.
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After finishing high school, Nicholson passed on college and picked up a few local jobs, working as a lifeguard and an assistant manager at a movie theatre. Before long, he moved to California, where June was living in a suburb outside of Los Angeles, according to Robert Sellers' biography,Hollywood Hellraisers.
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Jack Nicholson’s First Audition
While living in L.A., Nicholson landed a job in the mail room at MGM studios' animation department, where he was ultimately offered an audition in passing. While the audition didn’t go well, it led him to acting classes and a job at a local theatre.
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Jack Nicholson’s First (and Only) Marriage
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Speaking about their relationship, Knight toldCloser Weekly, “The real Jack is a loving, caring, giving person,” adding, “We had a very beautiful, sweet marriage.”
05of 29Jack Nicholson as a DadTony Korody/Sygma/Sygma/GettyHere, the proud dad poses with his eldest daughter, Jennifer, on set in 1974.
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Jack Nicholson as a Dad
Tony Korody/Sygma/Sygma/Getty
Here, the proud dad poses with his eldest daughter, Jennifer, on set in 1974.
06of 29Jack Nicholson’s Big BreakSilver Screen Collection/GettyThe actor shot to stardom after his starring turn in 1969’sEasy Rider, sharing the screen with Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper. His performance earned him his first Academy Award nomination.
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Jack Nicholson’s Big Break
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The actor shot to stardom after his starring turn in 1969’sEasy Rider, sharing the screen with Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper. His performance earned him his first Academy Award nomination.
07of 29Jack Nicholson’s Second ChildGettyOn the heels of hisEasy Ridersuccess, Nicholson landed another starring role in 1970’sFive Easy Pieces, alongside Susan Anspach. The role earned him his second Academy Award nomination.Twenty-five years later, a paternity scandal erupted when Nicholson publicly denied being the father of Anspach’s son, Caleb, whom she said was conceived while the stars were filmingFive Easy Pieces. Speaking toPEOPLE, Caleb said that Jack did recognize him as his son in private.
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Jack Nicholson’s Second Child
On the heels of hisEasy Ridersuccess, Nicholson landed another starring role in 1970’sFive Easy Pieces, alongside Susan Anspach. The role earned him his second Academy Award nomination.
Twenty-five years later, a paternity scandal erupted when Nicholson publicly denied being the father of Anspach’s son, Caleb, whom she said was conceived while the stars were filmingFive Easy Pieces. Speaking toPEOPLE, Caleb said that Jack did recognize him as his son in private.
08of 29Jack Nicholson and Michelle PhillipsRon Galella Collection/GettyAfter his divorce, Nicholson’s next public romance was with actress Michelle Phillips, whom he attended a number of events with in 1970.
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Jack Nicholson and Michelle Phillips
Ron Galella Collection/Getty
After his divorce, Nicholson’s next public romance was with actress Michelle Phillips, whom he attended a number of events with in 1970.
09of 29Jack Nicholson Stars in Carnal KnowledgeSilver Screen Collection/GettyIn 1971, Nicholson continued his Hollywood rise with a starring role as a charming womanizer (which not-so-slightly aligned with his public persona at the time) inCarnal Knowledge,alongside famous faces like Candice Bergen and Art Garfunkel.
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Jack Nicholson Stars in Carnal Knowledge
In 1971, Nicholson continued his Hollywood rise with a starring role as a charming womanizer (which not-so-slightly aligned with his public persona at the time) inCarnal Knowledge,alongside famous faces like Candice Bergen and Art Garfunkel.
10of 29Jack Nicholson in The Last DetailGettyThe year 1973 saw Nicholson up for his third Oscar nomination, for his role as a U.S. Navy officer inThe Last Detailopposite a young Carol Kane.
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Jack Nicholson in The Last Detail
The year 1973 saw Nicholson up for his third Oscar nomination, for his role as a U.S. Navy officer inThe Last Detailopposite a young Carol Kane.
11of 29Jack Nicholson’s Longest Love, Anjelica HustonArt Zelin/GettyNicholson’s reputation as a playboy was put on pause in 1973, when he went public with actress Anjelica Huston, whom he would date on-and-off for 17 years.
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Jack Nicholson’s Longest Love, Anjelica Huston
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Nicholson’s reputation as a playboy was put on pause in 1973, when he went public with actress Anjelica Huston, whom he would date on-and-off for 17 years.
12of 29Jack Nicholson’s Handprint CeremonyFrank Edwards/Fotos International/GettyThe actor cemented his star status outside Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood in 1974.
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Jack Nicholson’s Handprint Ceremony
Frank Edwards/Fotos International/Getty
The actor cemented his star status outside Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood in 1974.
13of 29Jack Nicholson in ChinatownFilmPublicityArchive/United Archives/Getty ImagesThe actor got up close and personal with Faye Dunaway in 1974’sChinatown, in which he acted alongside girlfriend Anjelica’s father, actor John Huston.
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Jack Nicholson in Chinatown
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The actor got up close and personal with Faye Dunaway in 1974’sChinatown, in which he acted alongside girlfriend Anjelica’s father, actor John Huston.
14of 29Jack Nicholson in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s NestMichael Ochs Archives/GettyThe following year, Nicholson landed one of his most iconic roles: a rebellious psychiatric patient in 1975’sOne Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
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Jack Nicholson in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
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The following year, Nicholson landed one of his most iconic roles: a rebellious psychiatric patient in 1975’sOne Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
15of 29Jack Nicholson Wins An OscarMichael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesThe actor earned his first Academy Award for Best Actor for his turn inOne Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
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Jack Nicholson Wins An Oscar
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
The actor earned his first Academy Award for Best Actor for his turn inOne Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
16of 29Jack Nicholson in The ShiningSunset Boulevard/Corbis/GettyThe year 1980 saw the actor return to his horror roots, with perhaps his best-known role: terrifying writer and inn-caretaker Jack Torrance in the movie adaptation of Stephen King’sThe Shining.
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Jack Nicholson in The Shining
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The year 1980 saw the actor return to his horror roots, with perhaps his best-known role: terrifying writer and inn-caretaker Jack Torrance in the movie adaptation of Stephen King’sThe Shining.
17of 29Jack Nicholson Welcomes Another ChildBertrand Rindoff Petroff/GettyDuring his on-and-off relationship with Huston, the actor welcomed a second child, daughter Honey, with model Winnie Hollman in 1981. Hollman ultimately raised Honey in Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Jack Nicholson Welcomes Another Child
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During his on-and-off relationship with Huston, the actor welcomed a second child, daughter Honey, with model Winnie Hollman in 1981. Hollman ultimately raised Honey in Copenhagen, Denmark.
18of 29Jack Nicholson Wins a Second OscarRon Galella/Ron Galella Collection/GettyThe actor won his second Academy Award for his beloved turn in 1983’sTerms of Endearment,a major box office hit in which he starred alongside Shirley MacLaine, Jeff Daniels and Debra Winger. Here, he’s pictured with MacLaine and director James L. Brooks.
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Jack Nicholson Wins a Second Oscar
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The actor won his second Academy Award for his beloved turn in 1983’sTerms of Endearment,a major box office hit in which he starred alongside Shirley MacLaine, Jeff Daniels and Debra Winger. Here, he’s pictured with MacLaine and director James L. Brooks.
19of 29Jack Nicholson in BatmanMurray Close/Sygma/GettyThe actor gave one of the most iconic and haunting portrayals of the Joker in 1989’sBatman.
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Jack Nicholson in Batman
Murray Close/Sygma/Getty
The actor gave one of the most iconic and haunting portrayals of the Joker in 1989’sBatman.
20of 29Jack Nicholson and Anjelica Huston Call It QuitsArt Zelin/GettyNicholson and Huston had a turbulent relationship — during which Nicholson welcomed a child with Winnie Hollman — and they ended things in 1990 after he later impregnated another woman (actress Rebecca Broussard),prompting a physical fightwhich Huston recounted in her 2014 memoir,Watch Me. “I don’t think I kicked him,” she wrote, “but I beat him savagely about the head and shoulders.”
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Jack Nicholson and Anjelica Huston Call It Quits
Nicholson and Huston had a turbulent relationship — during which Nicholson welcomed a child with Winnie Hollman — and they ended things in 1990 after he later impregnated another woman (actress Rebecca Broussard),prompting a physical fightwhich Huston recounted in her 2014 memoir,Watch Me. “I don’t think I kicked him,” she wrote, “but I beat him savagely about the head and shoulders.”
21of 29Jack Nicholson Welcomes Two More ChildrenARNAL/Gamma-Rapho/Getty"The first time Jack Nicholson touched my hand, I almost blacked out," actress Rebecca Broussard toldVanity Fairof their whirlwind relationship. “I saw flashes of light. The minute I was introduced to him, I knew something was there.” After a year together, the pair welcomed a daughter, Lorraine, in 1990, and a son, Raymond (“Ray”), in 1992. Broussard eventually left him in 1994, but called him “a terrific father.”
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Jack Nicholson Welcomes Two More Children
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“The first time Jack Nicholson touched my hand, I almost blacked out,” actress Rebecca Broussard toldVanity Fairof their whirlwind relationship. “I saw flashes of light. The minute I was introduced to him, I knew something was there.” After a year together, the pair welcomed a daughter, Lorraine, in 1990, and a son, Raymond (“Ray”), in 1992. Broussard eventually left him in 1994, but called him “a terrific father.”
22of 29Jack Nicholson Gets His Hollywood StarSGranitz/WireImageNicholson received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1996. Ex Rebecca Broussard (right) showed support alongside their children, as well as Jack’s daughter Jennifer and her son Sean.
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Jack Nicholson Gets His Hollywood Star
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Nicholson received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1996. Ex Rebecca Broussard (right) showed support alongside their children, as well as Jack’s daughter Jennifer and her son Sean.
23of 29Jack Nicholson and Lara Flynn BoyleDavid Hume Kennerly/GettyIn 1999, Nicholson found a new love:The Practicestar Lara Flynn Boyle. Here, the pair attended a New Year’s Eve celebration at the Lincoln Memorial to ring in the new millennium in Washington, D.C. The pair eventually split in 2004 after years of dating on-and-off.
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Jack Nicholson and Lara Flynn Boyle
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In 1999, Nicholson found a new love:The Practicestar Lara Flynn Boyle. Here, the pair attended a New Year’s Eve celebration at the Lincoln Memorial to ring in the new millennium in Washington, D.C. The pair eventually split in 2004 after years of dating on-and-off.
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Jack Nicholson Charms in Something’s Gotta Give
The actor began taking on more lighthearted roles in rom-coms like 2003’s cult classicSomething’s Gotta Give, in which he played — once again — a suave, womanizing older man, opposite Diane Keaton.
25of 29Jack Nicholson on Dad DutySGranitz/WireImageHere, the actor with his youngest children, Lorraine and Raymond, at theSomething’s Gotta GiveL.A. premiere.
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Jack Nicholson on Dad Duty
Here, the actor with his youngest children, Lorraine and Raymond, at theSomething’s Gotta GiveL.A. premiere.
26of 29Jack Nicholson in The DepartedEvan Agostini/GettyThe 2006 mob film,The Departed,saw Nicholson starring alongside some of the most popular actors of the day, including Mark Wahlberg,Leonardo DiCaprioand Matt Damon.
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Jack Nicholson in The Departed
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The 2006 mob film,The Departed,saw Nicholson starring alongside some of the most popular actors of the day, including Mark Wahlberg,Leonardo DiCaprioand Matt Damon.
27of 29Jack Nicholson Guest Stars on Saturday Night LiveDana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/GettyTwo years after retirement rumors began to spread, the actor made a rare public appearance onSaturday Night Live’s 40th anniversary special in 2015, introducing a video retrospective.His last movie role was in 2010’s rom-comHow Do You Know,alongside Reese Witherspoon and Owen Wilson.
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Jack Nicholson Guest Stars on Saturday Night Live
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Two years after retirement rumors began to spread, the actor made a rare public appearance onSaturday Night Live’s 40th anniversary special in 2015, introducing a video retrospective.
His last movie role was in 2010’s rom-comHow Do You Know,alongside Reese Witherspoon and Owen Wilson.
28of 29Jack Nicholson and the L.A. LakersNoel Vasquez/GC Images/GettyNicholson is a longtime Los Angeles Lakers fan, and is often pictured sitting courtside at games over the years — here, he’s with his youngest son, Ray, at a 2016 game in L.A.
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Jack Nicholson and the L.A. Lakers
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Nicholson is a longtime Los Angeles Lakers fan, and is often pictured sitting courtside at games over the years — here, he’s with his youngest son, Ray, at a 2016 game in L.A.
29of 29Jack Nicholson Retreats from the Public EyeAllen Berezovsky/GettyIn one of his most recent public appearances, Nicholson was seen out at another game with son Ray in 2019, one of the last times he was out before the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Jack Nicholson Retreats from the Public Eye
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In one of his most recent public appearances, Nicholson was seen out at another game with son Ray in 2019, one of the last times he was out before the COVID-19 pandemic.
source: people.com
