Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jack Nicholson
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Jack Nicholson made an impact.
Jack Nicholson is a highly acclaimed and now-retired American actor and filmmaker, celebrated for his portrayals of rebellious characters. His career spanned five decades, during which he earned widespread recognition as one of the greatest actors of the 20th century. He has received numerous awards, including three Academy Awards, three British Academy Film Awards, six Golden Globe Awards, and a Grammy Award, solidifying his legacy in the film industry.
1950: Moved to California
In 1950, at the age of 13, Nicholson first came to California and took a job as an office worker for animation directors William Hanna and Joseph Barbera at the MGM cartoon studio.
May 5, 1955: First Day as a Working Actor
On May 5, 1955, Nicholson had his first day as a working actor on "Tales of Wells Fargo", a date he considered lucky because 5 was the jersey number of his boyhood idol, Joe DiMaggio.
1958: Film Debut in The Cry Baby Killer
In 1958, Nicholson made his film debut in the low-budget teen drama "The Cry Baby Killer", playing the title role.
1960: Starred in The Wild Ride
In 1960, Nicholson starred as a rebellious dirt-track race driver in the film "The Wild Ride".
1967: Screenplay for The Trip
In 1967, Nicholson wrote the screenplay for the counterculture film "The Trip", directed by Roger Corman, starring Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper, marking his first real taste of writing success.
1969: Oscar Nomination for Easy Rider
In 1969, Nicholson received an Oscar nomination for his role in "Easy Rider", marking a significant milestone in his career.
1969: Role in Easy Rider
In 1969, Nicholson's big acting break came with the role of alcoholic lawyer George Hanson in "Easy Rider", earning him his first Oscar nomination and elevating him to a counter-culture hero.
1970: Appearance in On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
In 1970, Nicholson appeared in the film adaptation of "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever", although most of his performance was cut.
1970: Oscar Nomination for Five Easy Pieces
In 1970, Nicholson received an Oscar nomination for his performance in "Five Easy Pieces", further establishing his reputation as a talented actor.
1970: Starred in Five Easy Pieces
In 1970, Nicholson starred in "Five Easy Pieces" alongside Karen Black, a role that defined his persona. Both Nicholson and Black were nominated for Academy Awards for their performances.
1971: Role in Carnal Knowledge
In 1971, Nicholson played a notable role in "Carnal Knowledge", a comedy-drama directed by Mike Nichols.
1972: Presented Academy Award for Best Picture
In 1972, Jack Nicholson presented the Academy Award for Best Picture.
1973: Starred in The Last Detail
In 1973, Nicholson starred in Hal Ashby's "The Last Detail", alongside Randy Quaid, for which he won Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival and received nominations for an Oscar and a Golden Globe.
1974: Oscar Nominations for The Last Detail and Chinatown
In 1974, Nicholson received Oscar nominations for his performances in "The Last Detail" and "Chinatown", showcasing his versatility as an actor.
1974: Starred in Chinatown
In 1974, Nicholson starred in Roman Polanski's noir thriller "Chinatown", receiving another Academy Award nomination for his role as Jake Gittes.
1975: Starred in 'The Passenger'
In 1975, Jack Nicholson also starred in Michelangelo Antonioni's 'The Passenger', playing journalist David Locke who assumes a dead man's identity, only to find that he was a weapons smuggler. Nicholson thought so highly of the film that he bought the world rights and recorded a reminiscence of working with Antonioni.
1975: Starred in 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'
In 1975, Jack Nicholson starred as Randle P. McMurphy in 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest', a film adaptation of Ken Kesey's novel. Nicholson played an anti-authoritarian patient in a mental hospital, becoming an inspiring leader. The role earned him his first Academy Award for Best Actor.
1975: Academy Award for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
In 1975, Nicholson won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Randle McMurphy in the film "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest".
1976: Starred in 'The Missouri Breaks'
In 1976, Jack Nicholson took a less sympathetic role in Arthur Penn's western 'The Missouri Breaks' specifically to work with Marlon Brando. Nicholson was inspired by Brando's acting ability, having idolized him since his youth.
1977: Presented Academy Award for Best Picture
In 1977, Jack Nicholson presented the Academy Award for Best Picture.
1978: Presented Academy Award for Best Picture
In 1978, Jack Nicholson presented the Academy Award for Best Picture.
1978: Direction of Goin' South
In 1978, Nicholson directed the film "Goin' South", marking one of his directorial efforts.
1980: Starred in 'The Shining'
In 1980, Jack Nicholson starred as writer Jack Torrance in Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of Stephen King's 'The Shining'. Nicholson drew upon his own experiences as a writer and slept short hours to remain in an agitated state for the role. He improvised the famous "Here's Johnny!" line.
1981: Nicholson in Reds
In 1981, Jack Nicholson played Eugene O'Neill in the film Reds, and identified with his Irish heritage.
1981: Starred in 'The Postman Always Rings Twice' and 'Reds'
In 1981, Jack Nicholson starred in 'The Postman Always Rings Twice' and 'Reds', where he portrayed writer Eugene O'Neill.
1981: Oscar Nomination for Reds
In 1981, Nicholson received an Oscar nomination for his role in the film "Reds".
1982: Starred in 'The Border'
In 1982, Jack Nicholson starred in 'The Border' as an immigration enforcement agent directed by Tony Richardson. He was instructed to portray his role less expressively than in previous roles and to wear reflecting sunglasses.
1983: Won Oscar for 'Terms of Endearment'
In 1983, Jack Nicholson won his second Oscar, an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, for his role as retired astronaut Garrett Breedlove in 'Terms of Endearment'. His scenes with Shirley MacLaine were particularly noted for giving the film its "buoyant edge".
1983: Academy Award for Terms of Endearment
In 1983, Nicholson won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for playing an aging playboy in the film "Terms of Endearment".
1985: Starred in 'Prizzi's Honor'
In 1985, Jack Nicholson starred in 'Prizzi's Honor', directed by John Huston. Huston praised Nicholson's performance, stating that he illuminated the book.
1985: Oscar Nomination for Prizzi's Honor
In 1985, Nicholson received an Oscar nomination for his performance in "Prizzi's Honor".
1986: Starred in 'Heartburn'
In 1986, Jack Nicholson starred in 'Heartburn'.
1987: Starred in 'The Witches of Eastwick', 'Broadcast News', and 'Ironweed'
In 1987, Jack Nicholson starred in 'The Witches of Eastwick', 'Broadcast News', and 'Ironweed'. He received Oscar nominations for 'Ironweed'.
1987: Role in Broadcast News
In 1987, Nicholson played a notable role in "Broadcast News", a romantic comedy-drama film.
1987: Oscar Nomination for Ironweed
In 1987, Nicholson received an Oscar nomination for his role in "Ironweed", adding to his list of critically acclaimed performances.
1989: Played the Joker in 'Batman'
In 1989, Jack Nicholson played the Joker in the 'Batman' movie. The film was a smash hit and earned him an estimated $60 to $90 million from a percentage of the box office gross. Nicholson stated that he was "particularly proud" of his performance and considered it a piece of pop art.
1989: Role in Batman
In 1989, Nicholson played a notable role in "Batman", a superhero film directed by Tim Burton.
1990: Presented Academy Award for Best Picture
In 1990, Jack Nicholson presented the Academy Award for Best Picture.
1990: Direction of The Two Jakes
In 1990, Nicholson directed the film "The Two Jakes", adding to his directorial credits.
1992: Nominated for Academy Award for 'A Few Good Men'
In 1992, Jack Nicholson received another Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Col. Nathan R. Jessup in 'A Few Good Men'. His performance was described as "spellbinding" and portraying "the essence of the quintessential military mindset".
1992: Nominated for Razzie Awards for 'Man Trouble' and 'Hoffa'
In 1992, Jack Nicholson was nominated for Razzie Awards as worst actor for 'Man Trouble' and 'Hoffa'. However, his performance in Hoffa also earned him a Golden Globe nomination.
1992: Role in Hoffa
In 1992, Nicholson played a notable role in "Hoffa", a biographical crime drama film.
1992: Oscar Nomination for A Few Good Men
In 1992, Nicholson received an Oscar nomination for his performance in "A Few Good Men".
1993: Presented Academy Award for Best Picture
In 1993, Jack Nicholson presented the Academy Award for Best Picture.
1996: Starred in 'Mars Attacks!'
In 1996, Jack Nicholson collaborated with Tim Burton on 'Mars Attacks!', playing two characters: President James Dale and Art Land.
1997: Won Academy Award for 'As Good as It Gets'
In 1997, Jack Nicholson won his Academy Award for Best Actor in 'As Good as It Gets', playing Melvin Udall, a novelist with obsessive-compulsive disorder. The film was a box-office success, grossing $314 million.
2001: Received Stanislavsky Award and starred in 'The Pledge'
In 2001, Jack Nicholson received the Stanislavsky Award at the 23rd Moscow International Film Festival. That same year, he starred in 'The Pledge', playing a retired police detective.
2002: Starred in 'About Schmidt'
In 2002, Jack Nicholson acted in Alexander Payne's 'About Schmidt', playing a retired actuary. His performance earned him nominations for several awards.
2002: Oscar Nomination for About Schmidt
In 2002, Nicholson received an Oscar nomination for his role in "About Schmidt", continuing his streak of acclaimed performances.
2003: Starred in 'Anger Management'
In 2003, Jack Nicholson played an aggressive therapist in 'Anger Management', alongside Adam Sandler.
2003: Starred in 'Something's Gotta Give'
In 2003, Jack Nicholson starred in 'Something's Gotta Give', a romantic comedy directed by Nancy Meyers, playing an aging playboy. He was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance.
2003: Roles in Anger Management and Something's Gotta Give
In 2003, Nicholson played roles in both "Anger Management" and "Something's Gotta Give", showcasing his versatility in comedy and romantic comedy genres.
2006: Presented Academy Award for Best Picture
In 2006, Jack Nicholson presented the Academy Award for Best Picture.
2006: Starred in 'The Departed'
In 2006, Jack Nicholson starred in Martin Scorsese's 'The Departed', playing Frank Costello, a Boston Irish Mob boss. The role earned him critical praise and a Golden Globe nomination.
2007: Co-starred in 'The Bucket List'
In 2007, Jack Nicholson co-starred with Morgan Freeman in Rob Reiner's 'The Bucket List', portraying a dying man fulfilling his goals. He researched the role by visiting a hospital.
2007: Presented Academy Award for Best Picture
In 2007, Jack Nicholson presented the Academy Award for Best Picture.
2010: Starred in 'How Do You Know'
In 2010, Jack Nicholson played a supporting role in the film 'How Do You Know'.
2010: Starring in How Do You Know and Retirement from Acting
In 2010, Nicholson starred in "How Do You Know" and subsequently retired from acting, marking the end of his on-screen performances.
September 2013: Indicated less drive to work
In September 2013, Jack Nicholson stated in a Vanity Fair article that he did not consider himself retired, but was less driven to "be out there anymore".
2013: Co-presented Academy Award for Best Picture
In 2013, Jack Nicholson co-presented the Academy Award for Best Picture with First Lady Michelle Obama, marking the eighth time he presented the award.
2017: Toni Erdmann Remake Abandoned
In 2017, Jack Nicholson was reported to be starring in an English-language remake of Toni Erdmann opposite Kristen Wiig, but the project was later abandoned.
2018: Turned down role in 'Ready Player One'
In 2018, Jack Nicholson had previously been approached to appear in Steven Spielberg's science-fiction film Ready Player One, but he declined.
October 2019: Declined cameo in 'Doctor Sleep'
In October 2019, with the release of 'The Shining' sequel 'Doctor Sleep', director Mike Flanagan revealed he approached Jack Nicholson for a cameo appearance, but Nicholson declined.
November 2, 2023: Lou Adler discusses Nicholson's unofficial retirement
On November 2, 2023, record producer Lou Adler mentioned on Marc Maron's podcast that Nicholson had unofficially retired from acting and prefers a quiet life, enjoying reading and eating as he pleases.
2023: 'How Do You Know' remains Nicholson's last film role
As of 2023, Jack Nicholson's last film role remains 'How Do You Know', bringing his filmography to 80 films.
February 16, 2025: Nicholson appears on SNL 50
On February 16, 2025, Jack Nicholson made a rare appearance on the 50th anniversary special of Saturday Night Live (SNL 50), where he introduced Adam Sandler, who performed a tribute song to the show.
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