See Jack Nicholson's Life and Career in 30 Photos
See Jack Nicholson's Life and Career in 30 Photos
Sophie Dodd, Carson BlackwelderTue, April 7, 2026 at 11:00 AM UTC
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From left: Jack Nicholson poses for a portrait in New York City in January 1970; Nicholson holds his Oscar for Best Actor for his role in 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Next' at the 48th Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles on March 29, 1976; Nicholson attends the NBA Playoffs game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on April 28, 2023Credit: Jack Robinson/Hulton Archive/Getty; Michael Montfort/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty; Kevork Djansezian/Getty -
Jack Nicholson was born on April 22, 1937, in New Jersey
The celebrated actor won three Oscars for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Terms of Endearment and As Good as It Gets before stepping away from the spotlight in 2010
Nicholson has had several high-profile relationships and is the father of six children
With a career spanning decades and a storied love life, Jack Nicholson has a lot to celebrate.
Considered one of the all-time greats, the actor was a fixture in Hollywood for more than 50 years. He made his first appearance on-screen in an episode of Matinee Theatre in 1956 before starring in the 1958 film The Cry Baby Killer.
Nicholson went on to deliver memorable performances in Easy Rider (1969), Chinatown (1974), The Shining (1980), Batman (1989), A Few Good Men (1992) and Something's Gotta Give (2003), to name a few.
He took home three Academy Awards — Best Actor for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), Best Supporting Actor for Terms of Endearment (1983) and Best Actor for As Good as It Gets (1997) — before stepping away from the spotlight after starring in the 2010 films I'm Still Here and How Do You Know.
Take a look back at photos that reflect Jack Nicholson's life and legacy, from his early days to what he's been up to since retirement.
01 of 30
Jack Nicholson's Early Days
A high school portrait of Jack Nicholson, circa 1955Credit: Getty
Born on April 22, 1937, in Neptune City, N.J., the future Academy Award winner was raised by Ethel May and John, alongside his older sister, June.
In 1974, Nicholson's world would be turned upside down when he learned from a TIME reporter that his mother, Ethel, was actually his grandmother, and that his sister June had actually given birth to him as a teenager, per InStyle.
02 of 30
Jack Nicholson Moves to L.A.
Jack Nicholson as Jimmy Wallace in 1958's 'The Cry Baby Killer'Credit: Corbis/Getty
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 the suburbs of Los Angeles, according to Robert Sellers' 2009 biography, Hollywood Hellraisers.
03 of 30
Jack Nicholson's First Audition
Jack Nicholson as Weary Reilly in 1960's 'Studs Lonigan'Credit: Getty
While living in L.A., Nicholson landed a job in the mailroom at MGM studios' animation department, where he was ultimately offered an audition in passing, as detailed in Hollywood Hellraisers. While the audition didn't go well, it led him to acting classes and a job at a local theater.
Nicholson's first role was in 1958's The Cry Baby Killer — a full decade away from what would become his breakout role, 1969's Easy Rider.
04 of 30
Jack Nicholson's First (and Only) Marriage
Jack Nicholson as Lt. Andre Duvalier and Sandra Knight as Helene in 1963's 'The Terror'Credit: Alamy
The actor's slow and steady rise saw him take on a string of roles in low-budget horror films and guest appearances on TV series. While filming 1963's The Terror, Nicholson met costar Sandra Knight, whom he married in June 1962.
It was the actor's only marriage, and lasted until the pair split in 1968. They welcomed one child, daughter Jennifer, in 1963.
"The real Jack is a loving, caring, giving person. We had a very beautiful, sweet marriage," Knight told Closer Weekly in June 2016 of their relationship.
Marc Eliot, author of Nicholson: A Biography, added, "Marriage was a hot stove. He touched it, got burned and never did it again."
05 of 30
Jack Nicholson as a Dad
Jack Nicholson and daughter Jennifer in 1974Credit: Tony Korody/Sygma/Sygma/Getty
Here, the proud dad poses with his eldest daughter, Jennifer, in 1974.
06 of 30
Jack Nicholson's Big Break
From left: Dennis Hopper as Billy, Peter Fonda as Wyatt and Jack Nicholson (back) as George Hanson in 1969's 'Easy Rider'Credit: Silver Screen Collection/Getty
Nicholson shot to stardom after his star-turning role in 1969's Easy Rider, sharing the screen with Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper. His performance earned him his first Academy Award nomination, snagging a nod for Best Supporting Actor.
07 of 30
Jack Nicholson's Second Child
Susan Anspach as Catherine Van Oost and Jack Nicholson as Robert Eroica Dupea in 1970's 'Five Easy Pieces'Credit: Getty
On the heels of his Easy Rider success, Nicholson landed a starring role in 1970's Five Easy Pieces alongside Susan Anspach. The role earned him his second Academy Award nomination, this time for Best Actor.
Years later, a paternity scandal erupted when he refused to publicly acknowledge being the father of Anspach's son, Caleb, whom she said was conceived while the stars were filming Five Easy Pieces.
Caleb told PEOPLE in 1996 that Jack did recognize him as his son in private.
08 of 30
Jack Nicholson and Michelle Phillips
Michelle Phillips and Jack Nicholson attend the 43rd Academy Awards' Governer's Ball at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., on April 15, 1971Credit: Ron Galella Collection/Getty
After his divorce from Knight, Nicholson's next public romance was with the Mamas & the Papas singer and actress Michelle Phillips — the ex-wife of his Easy Rider costar and director, Hopper.
09 of 30
Jack Nicholson's Longest Love, Anjelica Huston
Jack Nicholson and Anjelica Huston visit Sardi's restaurant in New York City for the New York Film Critics Awards in January 1977Credit: Art Zelin/Getty
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.
10 of 30
Jack Nicholson's Handprint Ceremony
Jack Nicholson kneels down and signs his name in wet cement next to his hand and foot imprints outside Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, Calif., in June 1974Credit: Frank Edwards/Fotos International/Getty
The actor cemented his star status outside Grauman's Chinese Theatre — now TCL Chinese Theatre — in Hollywood in 1974.
11 of 30
Jack Nicholson in Chinatown
Faye Dunaway as Evelyn Mulwray and Jack Nicholson as J.J. Gittes in 1974's 'Chinatown'Credit: FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives/Getty Images
Nicholson got up close and personal with Faye Dunaway in 1974's Chinatown, in which he starred opposite his girlfriend Anjelica's father, actor John Huston.
12 of 30
Jack Nicholson in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Jack Nicholson (second from left) as R.P. McMurphy and other cast members in 1975's 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
The following year, Nicholson landed one of his most iconic roles: a rebellious psychiatric patient in 1975's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
13 of 30
Jack Nicholson Wins His First Oscar
Jack Nicholson holds his Oscar for Best Actor for 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' at the 48th Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in L.A. on March 29, 1976Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
The actor earned his first Oscar for Best Actor for his turn in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, taking home the prize at the 48th Academy Awards in 1976.
14 of 30
Jack Nicholson in The Shining
Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance in 1980's 'The Shining'Credit: Sunset Boulevard/Corbis/Getty
The year 1980 saw the acclaimed star deliver perhaps his best-known role: Jack Torrance, the terrifying writer turned caretaker of the Overlook Hotel, in Stanley Kubrick's film adaptation of Stephen King's The Shining opposite the late actress Shelley Duvall.
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Jack Nicholson Welcomes Another Child
Winnie Hollman and Jack Nicholson attend the premiere and promotion of 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' in Paris in 1976Credit: Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Getty
During his on-and-off relationship with Huston, the actor welcomed daughter Honey with model Winnie Hollman in 1982. Hollman ultimately raised Honey in Copenhagen, Denmark.
16 of 30
Jack Nicholson Wins a Second Oscar
From left: Jack Nicholson, Shirley MacLaine and James L. Brooks hold their Oscars for 'Terms of Endearment' in the press room during the 56th Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in L.A. on April 9, 1984Credit: Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection/Getty
Nicholson won his second Academy Award, this one for Best Supporting Actor, for his beloved role in 1983's Terms of Endearment, a major box office hit in which he starred alongside Shirley MacLaine and Debra Winger.
Here, he's pictured with MacLaine, who won Best Actress, and James L. Brooks, who won Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay.
17 of 30
Jack Nicholson in Batman
Jack Nicholson as the Joker in 1989's 'Batman'Credit: Murray Close/Sygma/Getty
The decorated actor gave one of the most iconic and haunting portrayals of the Joker in Tim Burton's 1989 film Batman.
18 of 30
Jack Nicholson and Anjelica Huston Call It Quits
Anjelica Huston and Jack Nicholson in New York City circa 1970Credit: Art Zelin/Getty
Nicholson and Huston had a turbulent relationship, and they officially ended things in 1990 after the actor impregnated another woman, actress Rebecca Broussard.
This prompted a physical fight, which Huston recounted in her 2014 memoir, Watch Me. "I don't think I kicked him," she wrote of her split with Nicholson, "but I beat him savagely about the head and shoulders."
19 of 30
Jack Nicholson Welcomes Two More Children
Rebecca Broussard and Jack Nicholson with daughter Lorraine in Paris in 1994Credit: ARNAL/Gamma-Rapho/Getty
"The first time Jack Nicholson touched my hand, I almost blacked out," Broussard told Vanity Fair in April 1994 of their whirlwind relationship. "I saw flashes of light. The minute I was introduced to him, I knew something was there."
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" to Vanity Fair.
20 of 30
Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men
Jack Nicholson as Col. Nathan R. Jessep in 1992's 'A Few Good Men'Credit: Mondadori via Getty
Nicholson starred alongside Tom Cruise in the late director Rob Reiner's 1992 legal drama A Few Good Men, in which he delivered the iconic line, "You can't handle the truth!"
His performance earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor and his 10th overall Oscar nod.
21 of 30
Jack Nicholson Gets His Hollywood Star
Jack Nicholson, daughter Jennifer Nicholson (center), ex Rebecca Broussard (far right) and family attend Nicholson's Star Ceremony on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, Calif., on Dec. 4, 1996Credit: SGranitz/WireImage
The iconic actor received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in December 1996. Broussard (right) attended with their children, as well as Jack's daughter Jennifer (center) and her son, Sean.
22 of 30
Jack Nicholson Receives the Cecil B. DeMille Award
Jack Nicholson accepts the Cecil B. DeMille Award during the 56th Golden Globes at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Jan. 24, 1999Credit: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Nicholson was awarded the Cecil B. DeMille Award, a lifetime achievement honoring a person's "outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment," at the 56th Golden Globes in January 1999.
"A million thank-yous wouldn't cover all that I really do appreciate about all those people that I've collaborated with on my movies and for the help, the teaching, the friendships, the love, the fury over creative discussions — especially the fury — on these fragile things that we do that we call movies," he said in his acceptance speech.
23 of 30
Jack Nicholson and Lara Flynn Boyle
Lara Flynn Boyle and Jack Nicholson attend a celebration at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 1, 2000Credit: David Hume Kennerly/Getty
In 1999, Nicholson found a new love: Twin Peaks and The Practice star 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 dated on and off and were linked as late as 2006.
Boyle told PEOPLE in July 2024 that Nicholson was a "huge part" of her life, adding, "That is seven years of great times, it's seven years of wonderful."
24 of 30
Jack Nicholson Charms in Something's Gotta Give
Diane Keaton as Erica Barry and Jack Nicholson as Harry Sanborn in 2003's 'Something's Gotta Give'Credit: Moviestore/Shutterstock
Nicholson began taking on more lighthearted roles in rom-coms like Nancy Meyers' 2003 cult classic Something's Gotta Give. Once again, he played a suave, womanizing older man opposite late actress Diane Keaton.
25 of 30
Jack Nicholson on Dad Duty
Jack Nicholson (center) with daughter Lorraine and son Ray arrive at the premiere of 'Something's Gotta Give' at Mann Village Theater in L.A. on Dec. 8, 2003Credit: SGranitz/WireImage
In December 2003, the actor attended the L.A. premiere of Something's Gotta Give with his youngest children, Lorraine and Raymond.
26 of 30
Jack Nicholson in The Departed
From left: Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon attend the premiere of 'The Departed' at the Ziegfeld Theatre in N.Y.C. on Sept. 26, 2006Credit: Evan Agostini/Getty
Nicholson was part of the ensemble cast of Martin Scorsese's 2006 mob film, The Departed, alongside legendary actors Mark Wahlberg, Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon.
27 of 30
Jack Nicholson Guest Stars on Saturday Night Live
Jack Nicholson appears during the 40th anniversary special of 'Saturday Night Live' on Feb. 15, 2015Credit: Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty
After his last (and most recent) film to date — 2010's How Do You Know, costarring Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd and Owen Wilson — Nicholson made a rare public appearance for Saturday Night Live's 40th anniversary special in 2015, introducing a video retrospective.
28 of 30
Jack Nicholson and the L.A. Lakers
Jack Nicholson (left) and Ray Nicholson attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center in L.A. on April 6, 2016Credit: Noel Vasquez/GC Images/Getty
Nicholson is a longtime Los Angeles Lakers fan and has often been photographed sitting courtside at games over the years. Here, he's with his youngest son, Ray, at a 2016 game.
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Jack Nicholson Retreats from the Public Eye
Jack Nicholson (left) and Ray Nicholson attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks at the Staples Center in L.A. on Jan. 7, 2020Credit: Allen Berezovsky/Getty
In a rare public appearance, Nicholson was spotted at another game with son Ray in 2020, one of the last times he was out before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Back in September 2013, Nicholson told The Sun (via Vanity Fair) he's less motivated to "be out there anymore."
That said, nothing has kept Nicholson away from his beloved Lakers. Over the years, the actor continued to accompany Ray courtside, including at a game in 2023. Several stars approached him during his Lakers outing, from Larry David and Woody Harrelson to Michael B. Jordan.
30 of 30
Jack Nicholson's Life Now
Jack Nicholson introduces the 'Adam's Song: 50 Years' sketch during 'SNL50: The Anniversary Special' on Feb. 16, 2025Credit: Virginia Sherwood/NBC via Getty
For SNL's 50th anniversary special in February 2025, Nicholson made a rare televised appearance to introduce his former Anger Management (2003) costar, Adam Sandler.
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