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, now-retired American actor and filmmaker, considered one of the greatest actors of the 20th century. Known for portraying rebellious characters, his career spanned five decades, garnering him numerous prestigious awards. These include three Academy Awards, three British Academy Film Awards, six Golden Globe Awards, and a Grammy Award, solidifying his legacy in the entertainment industry.
1950: Visit to California and MGM Job
In 1950, Nicholson first visited 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".
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 gained writing success with the screenplay for the counterculture film "The Trip".
1969: Oscar Nomination for Easy Rider
In 1969, Nicholson received an Oscar nomination for his role in "Easy Rider".
1969: Breakthrough Role in Easy Rider
In 1969, Nicholson's career had a break through when he played George Hanson in "Easy Rider", earning his first Oscar nomination.
1970: Film Adaptation of 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 role in "Five Easy Pieces".
1970: Starred in Five Easy Pieces
In 1970, Nicholson starred in "Five Easy Pieces", receiving an Academy Award nomination for his performance.
1971: Role in Carnal Knowledge
In 1971, Nicholson played a notable role in "Carnal Knowledge".
1973: Starred in The Last Detail
In 1973, Nicholson starred in "The Last Detail", winning Best Actor at Cannes Film Festival and earning an Oscar and Golden Globe nomination.
1974: Oscar Nomination for The Last Detail and Chinatown
In 1974, Nicholson received two Oscar nominations for his roles in "The Last Detail" and "Chinatown".
1974: Starred in Chinatown
In 1974, Nicholson starred in Roman Polanski's "Chinatown", receiving an Academy Award nomination.
1975: Starred in "The Passenger"
In 1975, Jack Nicholson also starred in Michelangelo Antonioni's "The Passenger" as David Locke, a journalist who assumes a new identity. 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, directed by Miloš Forman. Nicholson's portrayal of an anti-authoritarian patient in a mental hospital earned him his first Academy Award for Best Actor, with the film winning a total of five awards.
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 "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest".
1976: Starred in "The Missouri Breaks"
In 1976, Jack Nicholson took a role in Arthur Penn's western, "The Missouri Breaks", specifically to work with Marlon Brando. Nicholson was inspired by Brando's acting ability.
1978: Directed Goin' South
In 1978, Nicholson directed the film "Goin' South".
1980: Starred in "The Shining"
In 1980, Jack Nicholson starred as 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 help remain in an agitated state during the shoot. Nicholson also improvised the now-famous "Here's Johnny!" line.
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 the writer Eugene O'Neill.
1981: Role in Reds and Irish Identity
In 1981, Nicholson played Eugene O'Neill in the film "Reds" and identified with his Irish heritage.
1981: Oscar Nomination for Reds
In 1981, Nicholson received an Oscar nomination for his role in "Reds".
1982: Starred in "The Border"
In 1982, Jack Nicholson starred in Tony Richardson's "The Border" as an immigration enforcement agent. Richardson directed Nicholson to play the role less expressively 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 James L. Brooks' "Terms of Endearment".
1983: Academy Award for Terms of Endearment
In 1983, Nicholson won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as an aging playboy in "Terms of Endearment".
1985: Starred in "Prizzi's Honor"
In 1985, Jack Nicholson starred in "Prizzi's Honor", directed by John Huston.
1985: Oscar Nomination for Prizzi's Honor
In 1985, Nicholson received an Oscar nomination for his role 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".
1987: Role in Broadcast News
In 1987, Nicholson played a notable role in "Broadcast News".
1987: Oscar Nomination for Ironweed
In 1987, Nicholson received an Oscar nomination for his role in "Ironweed".
1989: Played the Joker in "Batman"
In 1989, Jack Nicholson played the Joker in the "Batman" movie, earning a significant percentage of the box office gross.
1989: Role in Batman
In 1989, Nicholson played a notable role in "Batman".
1990: Directed The Two Jakes
In 1990, Nicholson directed the film "The Two Jakes".
1992: Starred in "A Few Good Men"
In 1992, Jack Nicholson received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Col. Nathan R. Jessup in "A Few Good Men".
1992: Razzie Nominations for "Man Trouble" and "Hoffa"
In 1992, Jack Nicholson was nominated for Razzie Awards for worst actor for "Man Trouble" and "Hoffa". However, his performance in "Hoffa" also earned him a Golden Globe nomination.
1992: Oscar Nomination for A Few Good Men
In 1992, Nicholson received an Oscar nomination for his role in "A Few Good Men".
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 Oscar for "As Good as It Gets"
In 1997, Jack Nicholson won his third Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Melvin Udall in "As Good as It Gets".
1997: Academy Award for As Good as It Gets
In 1997, Nicholson won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as a man with OCD in "As Good as It Gets".
2001: Received Stanislavsky Award and starred in "The Pledge"
In 2001, Jack Nicholson received the Stanislavsky Award at the Moscow International Film Festival and starred in "The Pledge" as retired police detective Jerry Black.
2002: Starred in "About Schmidt"
In 2002, Jack Nicholson starred in "About Schmidt", playing a retired actuary who questions his life.
2002: Oscar Nomination for About Schmidt
In 2002, Nicholson received an Oscar nomination for his role in "About Schmidt".
2003: Starred in "Anger Management"
In 2003, Jack Nicholson starred in "Anger Management" as an aggressive therapist assigned to help an overly pacifist man.
2003: Starred in "Something's Gotta Give"
In 2003, Jack Nicholson starred in "Something's Gotta Give" as an aging playboy who falls for the mother of his young girlfriend.
2003: Roles in Anger Management and Something's Gotta Give
In 2003, Nicholson appeared in "Anger Management" and "Something's Gotta Give".
2006: Starred in "The Departed"
In 2006, Jack Nicholson starred in Martin Scorsese's "The Departed", playing a nefarious Boston Irish Mob boss.
2007: Co-starred in "The Bucket List"
In 2007, Jack Nicholson co-starred with Morgan Freeman in Rob Reiner's "The Bucket List", playing a dying man who fulfills his list of goals.
2010: Starred in "How Do You Know"
In 2010, Jack Nicholson had a supporting role in the film "How Do You Know".
2010: Starred in How Do You Know and Retired
In 2010, Nicholson starred in "How Do You Know" and subsequently retired from acting.
September 2013: Nicholson discussed his career in Vanity Fair
In September 2013, Jack Nicholson stated in a Vanity Fair article that he was less driven to be actively working.
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: Declined appearance 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 declined.
October 2019: Declined Cameo in "Doctor Sleep"
In October 2019, director Mike Flanagan revealed that Jack Nicholson declined a cameo appearance in "Doctor Sleep", the sequel to "The Shining".
November 2, 2023: Lou Adler Shares Anecdote About Nicholson's Unofficial Retirement
On November 2, 2023, during an episode of Marc Maron's podcast, WTF with Marc Maron, Lou Adler, a longtime friend, mentioned that Jack Nicholson unofficially retired from acting 13 years after "How Do You Know", preferring a quiet life of reading and relaxation.
2023: "How Do You Know" remains Nicholson's last film role
As of 2023, "How Do You Know" remains Jack Nicholson's last film role, bringing his filmography to 80 films.
February 16, 2025: Appearance on SNL 50
On February 16, 2025, Jack Nicholson made a rare appearance on SNL 50, the 50th anniversary special of Saturday Night Live. He introduced Adam Sandler who performed a tribute song to the show.
Mentioned in this timeline
Kobe Bryant a celebrated American professional basketball player dedicated his...
Home Box Office HBO is a flagship American pay television...
Adam Sandler is an American actor and comedian known for...
Steven Spielberg is a highly successful American filmmaker who played...
Wells Fargo Company is a multinational financial services institution operating...
California is the most populous US state located on the...
Trending
26 minutes ago Cubs Discussed Contract Extension with Pete Crow-Armstrong; Talks Currently Shelved.
26 minutes ago Michelle Obama dismisses divorce rumors, Barack jokes about needing to improve relationship.
26 minutes ago Kyler Gordon Inks 3-Year Extension with Chicago Bears, Securing Future
26 minutes ago Noah and Tish Cyrus Reunite Amidst Family Drama Rumors, Share TikTok Dance
27 minutes ago Tommy Fleetwood's Son Steals Hearts at Masters with Adorable Interview and Golf Analysis.
1 hour ago Santos FC triumphs, securing the Copa Ibrachina Sub-20 championship title in thrilling victory.
Popular
Doug Ford is a Canadian politician and businessman currently serving...
Peter Navarro is an American economist and author known for...
Justin Trudeau served as the rd Prime Minister of Canada...
The Real ID Act of is a US federal law...
Donald John Trump is an American politician media personality and...
Michael Jordan also known as MJ is a celebrated American...