Early Life and Education of Jack Nicholson: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Jack Nicholson, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

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.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1909: Birth of Donald Rose

In 1909, Donald Rose, who married June Frances Nicholson, was born.

1918: Birth of June Frances Nicholson

In 1918, June Frances Nicholson, Jack Nicholson's mother, was born.

1936: Marriage of June Nicholson to Donald Furcillo

In 1936, June Nicholson married Italian-American showman Donald Furcillo (stage name Donald Rose).

April 22, 1937: Birth of John Joseph Nicholson

On April 22, 1937, John Joseph Nicholson was born in Neptune City, New Jersey, to June Frances Nicholson, who was a showgirl.

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.

1954: Class Clown

In 1954, Jack Nicholson was voted "Class Clown" by his class at Manasquan High School.

1957: Joined California Air National Guard

In 1957, Nicholson joined the California Air National Guard.

1961: Called up for extended active duty

During the Berlin Crisis of 1961, Nicholson was called up for several months of extended active duty in the Air National Guard.

1962: Marriage to Sandra Knight

In 1962, Jack Nicholson married Sandra Knight, his co-star in the movie "The Terror".

1962: Discharge from Air National Guard

In 1962, Nicholson was discharged from the Air National Guard at the end of his enlistment.

September 13, 1963: Birth of Daughter Jennifer

On September 13, 1963, Jack Nicholson's daughter Jennifer was born from his marriage to Sandra Knight.

1963: Death of Mother

In 1963, Jack Nicholson's mother passed away.

1963: Death of June Frances Nicholson

In 1963, June Frances Nicholson, Jack Nicholson's mother, passed away.

1966: Separation from Sandra Knight

In 1966, Jack Nicholson and Sandra Knight separated, though their divorce was finalized in 1968.

1968: Divorce from Sandra Knight

In 1968, Jack Nicholson's marriage to Sandra Knight ended, though they had separated in 1966.

September 26, 1970: Birth of Caleb Goddard

On September 26, 1970, Caleb Goddard was born. Susan Anspach contended that Caleb, whose legal father was Mark Goddard, was Nicholson's biological son.

1970: Lakers Season Ticket Holder

In 1970, Jack Nicholson became a Los Angeles Lakers season ticket holder, securing courtside seats near the opponent's benches.

1970: Death of Grandmother

In 1970, Jack Nicholson's grandmother passed away.

1972: Support for George McGovern

In 1972, Jack Nicholson supported George McGovern in the presidential election, identifying as a "lifelong Irish Democrat".

1972: Michelle Phillips Suffers Miscarriage

In 1972, during Jack Nicholson's relationship with Michelle Phillips, she suffered a miscarriage.

1974: Discovery of True Parentage

In 1974, Time magazine researchers informed Nicholson that his 'sister', June, was actually his mother, and his other 'sister', Lorraine, was really his aunt.

1977: Arrest of Roman Polanski at Nicholson's Home

In 1977, Roman Polanski was arrested at Nicholson's home for the sexual assault of a minor, Samantha Geimer.

1981: Role in Reds and Irish Identity

In 1981, Nicholson played Eugene O'Neill in the film "Reds" and identified with his Irish heritage.

January 26, 1982: Birth of Daughter Honey Hollman

On January 26, 1982, Jack Nicholson's daughter, Honey Hollman, was born to Danish model Winnie Hollman. It was later discovered that Honey's biological father is producer Lou Adler.

1984: Nicholson Addresses Paternity Claims

In 1984, Jack Nicholson stated he was not convinced that Caleb Goddard was his biological son.

1988: Support for Michael Dukakis

In 1988, Jack Nicholson supported Michael Dukakis in the presidential election.

April 16, 1990: Birth of Daughter Lorraine Nicholson

On April 16, 1990, Jack Nicholson and Rebecca Broussard's daughter, Lorraine Nicholson, was born.

February 20, 1992: Birth of Son Raymond Nicholson

On February 20, 1992, Jack Nicholson and Rebecca Broussard's son, Raymond Nicholson, was born.

1992: Nicholson's Views on Religion

In a 1992 Vanity Fair interview, Jack Nicholson expressed admiration for Catholicism but stated that he no longer believed in God, while envying those with faith.

August 15, 1994: Reported Birth of Daughter Tessa Gourin

On August 15, 1994, Jack Nicholson reportedly had a daughter, Tessa, with waitress Jeannine Gourin, though he has never publicly acknowledged her.

1995: Recognition as Art Collector

In 1995, artist Edward Ruscha commented that Jack Nicholson has "one of the best collections out here" of 20th-century and contemporary paintings.

1996: Caleb Goddard Claims Nicholson Recognized Him

In 1996, Caleb Goddard claimed that Jack Nicholson had privately recognized him as his son.

1997: Death of Donald Rose

In 1997, Donald Rose, who married June Frances Nicholson, passed away.

1998: Nicholson Publicly Acknowledges Caleb as His Son

By 1998, Jack Nicholson publicly acknowledged Caleb Goddard as his son and stated that they had a good relationship.

May 2003: Near Ejection from Lakers Playoff Game

In May 2003, Jack Nicholson was almost ejected from a Lakers playoff game after yelling at a referee.

2003: Publication of 'Kingdom of Fear'

In 2003, Hunter S. Thompson's autobiography, 'Kingdom of Fear', described Jack Nicholson's friendship with the author.

Kingdom of Fear: Loathsome Secrets of a Star-Crossed Child in the Final Days of the American Century

Check it on Amazon

2004: High School Reunion

In 2004, Nicholson attended his 50-year high school reunion accompanied by his aunt Lorraine.

2004: Purchase and Demolition of Marlon Brando's Bungalow

In 2004, after Marlon Brando's death, Jack Nicholson purchased Brando's bungalow for $6.1 million with the intention of demolishing it out of respect for Brando's legacy due to its derelict condition.

2005: Attendance at Hunter S. Thompson's Memorial Service

In 2005, after Hunter S. Thompson's death, Jack Nicholson, along with other actors, attended his private memorial service in Colorado.

2008: Support for Hillary Clinton

In 2008, Jack Nicholson supported Hillary Clinton in her presidential campaign.

2010: Starred in How Do You Know and Retired

In 2010, Nicholson starred in "How Do You Know" and subsequently retired from acting.

2011: Honorary Degree from Brown University

In 2011, Jack Nicholson received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Brown University, with the university's president, Ruth Simmons, praising him as "the most skilled actor of our lifetime".

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.

February 15, 2015: Appeared on SNL 40

On February 15, 2015, Jack Nicholson made a special appearance as a presenter on SNL 40, the 40th anniversary special of Saturday Night Live.

June 3, 2016: Interview on HBO about Muhammad Ali

Following the death of Muhammad Ali on June 3, 2016, Jack Nicholson appeared on HBO's "The Fight Game with Jim Lampley" for an exclusive interview about his friendship with Ali.

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".

January 2020: Reaction to Kobe Bryant's Death

In January 2020, after the death of Kobe Bryant, Jack Nicholson gave a rare phone interview expressing his grief to Los Angeles station KCBS-TV.

2020: Support for Bernie Sanders

In 2020, Jack Nicholson supported Bernie Sanders in the presidential election.

2021: Withdrawal from Public Appearances

By 2021, Jack Nicholson's regular attendance at Lakers games had stopped, as he withdrew from public appearances.

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.