Jack Nicholson turned 89 in April 2026, and his rare appearance on the SNL50 anniversary special in February 2025 reminded everyone how much he is missed on screen. He has not made a film since 2010, but he has never formally announced his retirement.
With 12 Oscar nominations, the most of any male actor, Jack is one of the greatest film stars in history. Here is his story. Explore more legends in our Hollywood icons collection.
Jack Nicholson Fact File
| Birth name | John Joseph Nicholson |
|---|---|
| Born | 22 April 1937 (age 89) |
| Place of birth | Neptune City, New Jersey, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Actor, writer, director, producer |
| Years active | 1955-2010 |
| Oscars | 3 wins from 12 nominations |
| Current status | Not acting since 2010; rare public appearances |
| Signature look | Dark sunglasses and that famous grin |
| Famous fandom | LA Lakers courtside regular |
Key Films
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Easy Rider | George Hanson |
| 1970 | Five Easy Pieces | Bobby Dupea |
| 1974 | Chinatown | J.J. "Jake" Gittes |
| 1975 | One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest | Randle P. McMurphy |
| 1980 | The Shining | Jack Torrance |
| 1983 | Terms of Endearment | Garrett Breedlove |
| 1989 | Batman | The Joker |
| 1992 | A Few Good Men | Col. Nathan R. Jessup |
| 1997 | As Good as It Gets | Melvin Udall |
| 2006 | The Departed | Frank Costello |
A selection of key films. His debut was The Cry Baby Killer (1958) and his most recent film is How Do You Know (2010).
Early Years
Jack grew up in New Jersey and made his film debut in The Cry Baby Killer (1958). He spent the next decade in low-budget films, many for Roger Corman, and also wrote screenplays including The Trip (1967).
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Breakthrough with Easy Rider
His supporting role as lawyer George Hanson in Easy Rider (1969) earned his first Oscar nomination. Five Easy Pieces (1970) and Chinatown (1974) followed, and in 1975 he won Best Actor for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
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Peak Years and Later Career
The Shining (1980) gave us an unforgettable horror performance, Terms of Endearment (1983) brought a second Oscar and Batman (1989) made him the Joker. He won a third Oscar for As Good as It Gets (1997) and later starred in About Schmidt (2002) and Scorsese's The Departed (2006).
A Record-Breaking Career
No male actor has more Oscar acting nominations than Jack: eight for Best Actor and four for Best Supporting Actor. Alongside his three wins, his nominated performances include The Last Detail, Reds, Prizzi's Honor, Ironweed, A Few Good Men and About Schmidt. His last film to date is How Do You Know (2010), and in February 2025 he made a rare appearance on the SNL50 anniversary special to introduce Adam Sandler. Fans still hope to see him on screen again one day.
Awards
Academy Awards (3 wins, 12 nominations)
- Best Actor: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and As Good as It Gets
- Best Supporting Actor: Terms of Endearment
Golden Globes and BAFTAs
- Six competitive Golden Globes plus the Cecil B. DeMille Award (1999)
- Three BAFTA Awards
Career Honours
- AFI Life Achievement Award (1994)
- Kennedy Center Honors (2001)
Away From the Spotlight
Jack has been a Los Angeles Lakers season-ticket holder since 1970, and his courtside seat became famous. He made a widely reported return to watch a Lakers playoff game in April 2023.
FAQs
How old is Jack Nicholson?
Jack Nicholson was born on 22 April 1937, so he is 89.
Where was Jack Nicholson born?
He was born in Neptune City, New Jersey, and grew up in New Jersey.
How many Oscars has Jack Nicholson won?
Three, from 12 nominations - a record number of acting nominations for a male actor.
What was Jack Nicholson's first film?
His film debut was The Cry Baby Killer (1958).
Is Jack Nicholson retired?
He has not acted since How Do You Know (2010) and rarely appears in public, but he has never formally announced his retirement.
Who did Jack Nicholson play in Batman?
He played the Joker in Tim Burton's Batman (1989).
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Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Al Pacino Career Story and Christopher Walken Career Story.
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