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1. Shard Calculation

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Response:

Calculated Shard: 62 (from laksa184)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa062.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Shining-film-by-Kubrick\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Shining-film-by-Kubrick\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/The-Shining-film-by-Kubrick","crawl_time":1775796378,"first_indexed_time":1513079126,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,britannica!www,\/topic\/The-Shining-film-by-Kubrick s443","src_root_hash":"5455945239613777662","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"The Shining | film by Kubrick [1980] | Britannica","meta_descriptions":["Other articles where The Shining is discussed: Stanley Kubrick: Films of the 1970s of Stanley Kubrick: …King’s updated gothic horror novel The Shining. Jack Nicholson played a writer who becomes increasingly deranged and eventually turns upon his wife and young son while acting as the winter caretaker of an isolated hotel. The Shining (1980) earned what had come to be the usual mixed critical reception for…"],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"News\n•\nTop Questions\nWho is Jack Nicholson?\nWhat is Jack Nicholson best known for?\nWhat are some famous movies Jack Nicholson has acted in?\nWhat awards has Jack Nicholson won during his career?\nHow has Jack Nicholson influenced American cinema?\nWhat are some unique traits or styles that make Jack Nicholson’s acting stand out?\nJack Nicholson\n(born April 22, 1937, Neptune,\nNew Jersey\n, U.S.) is one of the most prominent American motion-picture actors of his generation, especially noted for his\nversatile\nportrayals of unconventional, alienated outsiders.\nEarly life and career\nNicholson, whose father abandoned his family, grew up believing that his grandmother was his mother and that his mother was his older sister; it was not until he had attained fame that Nicholson himself learned the truth. After graduating from\nhigh school\n, he moved to\nCalifornia\n, where he took an office job in\nMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer\n’s animation department. During the years 1957–58 he performed on stage with the Players Ring Theater in\nLos Angeles\nand landed some small roles on\ntelevision\n. About this time he met\nB-film\nking\nRoger Corman\n, who offered him the leading role in his low-budget\nfilm\nThe Cry Baby Killer\n(1958). Nicholson spent the next decade playing major roles in B-films (including several more for Corman), occasional supporting roles in A-films (such as\nEnsign Pulver\n, 1964), and guest roles on such television series as\nThe Andy Griffith Show\n. He also dabbled in screenwriting, with his best-known credits being Corman’s\nLSD\n-hallucination film\nThe Trip\n(1967) and the surrealistic romp\nHead\n(1968), a box-office failure starring\nthe Monkees\nthat has since attracted a cult following.\nStardom:\nEasy Rider\n,\nFive Easy Pieces\n, and\nOne Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest\nNicholson’s big break finally came with\nEasy Rider\n(1969), a\nseminal\ncounterculture film starring\nPeter Fonda\nand\nDennis Hopper\nas drifting, drug-dealing bikers and Nicholson in a scene-stealing, Oscar-nominated supporting performance as an alcoholic lawyer. Nicholson’s newfound stardom was secured with his leading role in\nFive Easy Pieces\n(1970), an episodic,\nexistentialist\ndrama\nand a major entry in\nHollywood\n’s “art film” movement of the early 1970s. Nicholson’s portrayal of a man alienated from his family, friends, career, and lovers garnered him an Oscar nomination for best actor. His next successful film, director\nMike Nichols\n’s\nCarnal Knowledge\n(1971), was a darkly humorous condemnation of male sexual mores; it was perhaps mainstream Hollywood’s most sexually explicit film to date. Nicholson’s performance as an emotionally empty, predatory chauvinist showcased his talent for interjecting humor into serious situations as a means to underscore\ninherent\nirony—typically, his darkest characters are wickedly funny.\nBritannica Quiz\nBest Picture Movie Quote Quiz\nChinatown\nJohn Huston (left) and Jack Nicholson in\nChinatown\n(1974), directed by Roman Polanski.\nNicholson earned another Oscar nomination for\nThe Last Detail\n(1973), in which he portrayed a rowdy\nmilitary police\nofficer who reluctantly escorts a young sailor to military prison. He next starred in\nRoman Polanski\n’s\nChinatown\n(1974), an homage to the\nfilm noir\ndetective films of the 1940s and a widely acknowledged cinematic masterpiece. Nicholson’s brilliant performance as stylish private eye Jake Gittes, who realizes too late his impotence in the face of wealth and corruption, earned him a fourth Oscar nomination. The actor capped this highly successful period with his first Oscar win, for\nOne Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest\n(1975), in which his iconoclastic, free-spirited characterization of mental institution inmate R.P. McMurphy serves as a\nmetaphor\nfor the hopelessness of rebellion against established authority. Other notable Nicholson films from this period include\nMichelangelo Antonioni\n’s\nProfessione: reporter\n(1975;\nThe Passenger\n), in which Nicholson portrays a depressed reporter who assumes a dead man’s identity, and\nTommy\n(1975), director\nKen Russell\n’s garish production of\nthe Who\n’s rock opera, featuring Nicholson in a supporting singing role as the title character’s doctor.\nThe Shining\n,\nTerms of Endearment\n, and\nAs Good as It Gets\nThe Shining\nJack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall in\nThe Shining\n(1980), directed by Stanley Kubrick. The film was adapted from Stephen King's novel, published in 1977.\nHis stardom assured, Nicholson worked sporadically during the next few years. He costarred with\nMarlon Brando\nin the\nArthur Penn\nwestern\nThe Missouri Breaks\n(1976), an uneven yet compellingly quirky film; and he directed and starred in another revisionist western,\nGoin’ South\n(1978). His next notable role was in director\nStanley Kubrick\n’s\nThe Shining\n(1980); an\nadaptation\nof the\nStephen King\nnovel, it is a film over which critical opinion remains divided but the one with Nicholson’s ax-wielding rampage—culminating in his demonic cry of “Heeeere’s Johnny!”—that became one of the indelible cinematic images of the era.\nNicholson appeared in several quality films during the 1980s, garnering further Academy Award nominations for\nReds\n(1981),\nPrizzi’s Honor\n(1985), and\nIronweed\n(1987) and winning a\nbest supporting actor Oscar\nfor his role as a drunken-but-decent ex-\nastronaut\nin\nTerms of Endearment\n(1983). Two of his most popular performances of the decade came in\nThe Witches of Eastwick\n(1987) and\nBatman\n(1989), which featured Nicholson’s over-the-top comic turns as\nthe Devil\nand\nthe Joker\n, respectively.\nAs Good As It Gets\n(From left to right) Helen Hunt, Jack Nicholson, and Greg Kinnear in\nAs Good As It Gets\n(1997).\nBy the 1990s Nicholson was regarded as a screen icon. He began the decade by\ndirecting\nand starring in\nThe Two Jakes\n(1990), a sequel to\nChinatown\nthat generated\nlukewarm\nreviews. Better-received were\nHoffa\n(1992), in which he portrayed the controversial\nTeamsters\nboss\nJimmy Hoffa\n, and\nA Few Good Men\n(1992), in which his supporting performance as a dyspeptic marine colonel earned him his 10th Oscar nomination, an all-time record for a male actor. His 11th nomination, for his portrayal of a misanthropic writer in\nAs Good as It Gets\n(1997), resulted in Nicholson’s third Oscar (his second for best actor).\nGo beyond the basics with trusted, in-depth knowledge for professionals, students, and lifelong learners.\nSUBSCRIBE\nLater work\nThe Departed\nLeonardo DiCaprio (left) and Jack Nicholson in\nThe Departed\n(2006).\nAt the beginning of the 21st century, Nicholson continued to star in dramatic roles. After playing a world-weary former cop in\nSean Penn\n’s\nThe Pledge\n(2001), he scored another personal\ntriumph\nwith his much-lauded performance as the title character in\nAlexander Payne\n’s\nAbout Schmidt\n(2002), a movie about a retired widower seeking to mend his relationship with his daughter. Nicholson’s understated\nacting\nin the melancholic comedy earned him a 12th Academy Award nomination. In 2006 he appeared as Irish mobster Frank Costello in\nMartin Scorsese\n’s\nThe Departed\n.\nNicholson continued his success in comedic roles when he starred as an over-the-top psychiatrist in\nAnger Management\n(2003) and as an aging playboy who falls in love with a playwright (played by\nDiane Keaton\n) in\nSomething’s Gotta Give\n(2004). In\nThe Bucket List\n(2007) Nicholson and\nMorgan Freeman\nportray two terminally ill men who escape a hospital ward so they can accomplish everything they want to do before dying. He later appeared as an\nirascible\nfather in the\nromantic comedy\nHow Do You Know\n(2010), his fourth collaboration with director\nJames L. Brooks\n.\nQuick Facts\nOriginal name:\nJohn Joseph Nicholson\nAwards And Honors:\nKennedy Center Honors (2001)\nAcademy Award (1998)\nGrammy Award (1987)\nAcademy Award (1984)\nAcademy Award (1976)\nAcademy Award (1998): Actor in a Leading Role\nAcademy Award (1984): Actor in a Supporting Role\nAcademy Award (1976): Actor in a Leading Role\nCecil B. DeMille Award (1999)\nGolden Globe Award (2003): Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama\nGolden Globe Award (1998): Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy\nGolden Globe Award (1986): Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy\nGolden Globe Award (1984): Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture\nGolden Globe Award (1976): Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama\nGolden Globe Award (1975): Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama\nGrammy Award (1988): Best Recording for Children\nMarried To:\nSandra Knight (1962–1968)\nMovies\/Tv Shows (Acted In):\n\"The Shooting\" (1966)\n\"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest\" (1975)\n\"Hoffa\" (1992)\n\"On a Clear Day You Can See Forever\" (1970)\n\"I'm Still Here\" (2010)\n\"The Fortune\" (1975)\n\"Batman\" (1989)\n\"Psych-Out\" (1968)\n\"The Little Shop of Horrors\" (1960)\n\"Ironweed\" (1987)\n\"The Shining\" (1980)\n\"The Missouri Breaks\" (1976)\n\"The King of Marvin Gardens\" (1972)\n\"The Guns of Will Sonnett\" (1967)\n\"Prizzi's Honor\" (1985)\n\"Anger Management\" (2003)\n\"About Schmidt\" (2002)\n\"The Two Jakes\" (1990)\n\"Mars Attacks!\" (1996)\n\"Tales of Wells Fargo\" (1961)\n\"A Few Good Men\" (1992)\n\"How Do You Know\" (2010)\n\"Mr. Lucky\" (1960)\n\"The Rebel Rousers\" (1970)\n\"The Wild Ride\" (1960)\n\"Something's Gotta Give\" (2003)\n\"The Broken Land\" (1962)\n\"Studs Lonigan\" (1960)\n\"Bronco\" (1961)\n\"The Last Tycoon\" (1976)\n\"The Cry Baby Killer\" (1958)\n\"Reds\" (1981)\n\"Chinatown\" (1974)\n\"Matinee Theatre\" (1956)\n\"The Witches of Eastwick\" (1987)\n\"Wolf\" (1994)\n\"The Raven\" (1963)\n\"Sea Hunt\" (1961)\n\"Terms of Endearment\" (1983)\n\"The Departed\" (2006)\n\"The Border\" (1982)\n\"The Bucket List\" (2007)\n\"The Evening Star\" (1996)\n\"Back Door to Hell\" (1964)\n\"The Barbara Stanwyck Show\" (1960)\n\"As Good as It Gets\" (1997)\n\"Broadcast News\" (1987)\n\"The Pledge\" (2001)\n\"Carnal Knowledge\" (1971)\n\"A Safe Place\" (1971)\n\"The Last Detail\" (1973)\n\"Easy Rider\" (1969)\n\"Professione: reporter\" (1975)\n\"The Andy Griffith Show\" (1966–1967)\n\"The Crossing Guard\" (1995)\n\"The Terror\" (1963)\n\"Flight to Fury\" (1964)\n\"Five Easy Pieces\" (1970)\n\"The Postman Always Rings Twice\" (1981)\n\"Dr. Kildare\" (1966)\n\"Ensign Pulver\" (1964)\n\"Goin' South\" (1978)\n\"Too Soon to Love\" (1960)\n\"Man Trouble\" (1992)\n\"Ride in the Whirlwind\" (1966)\n\"Tommy\" (1975)\n\"Hells Angels on Wheels\" (1967)\n\"Heartburn\" (1986)\n\"Hawaiian Eye\" (1962)\n\"Blood and Wine\" (1996)\nMovies\/Tv Shows (Directed):\n\"Drive, He Said\" (1971)\n\"The Two Jakes\" (1990)\n\"Goin' South\" (1978)\nMovies\/Tv Shows (Writing\/Creator):\n\"Ride in the Whirlwind\" (1966)\n\"Drive, He Said\" (1971)\n\"Flight to Fury\" (1964)\n\"Thunder Island\" (1963)\n\"Head\" (1968)\n\"The Trip\" (1967)\nAlthough Nicholson’s widely imitated trademarks of a devilish smile and a slow, detached speaking style remained constant throughout the years, his screen persona mellowed in its\nmetamorphosis\nfrom iconoclastic leading man to mainstream character actor, and his roles of later years reflect in many ways the maturation of his generation. As he entered his later years, he often played men with a youthful rebellious streak but who have also learned the value of sensitivity. Nicholson was awarded the\nAmerican Film Institute\n’s Life Achievement Award in 1994.\nThis article was most recently revised and updated by\nWill Gosner\n.","attrs_markdown":"[![Encyclopedia Britannica](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel\/eb-logo\/MendelNewThistleLogo.png)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/)\n\n[![Encyclopedia Britannica](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel\/eb-logo\/MendelNewThistleLogo.png)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/)\n\n[SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/premium.britannica.com\/premium-membership\/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=global-nav&utm_campaign=blue-evergreen)\n\n[SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/premium.britannica.com\/premium-membership\/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=global-nav-mobile&utm_campaign=blue-evergreen)\n\nLogin\n\nhttps:\/\/premium.britannica.com\/premium-membership\/?utm\\_source=premium\\&utm\\_medium=nav-login-box\\&utm\\_campaign=evergreen\n\n[SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/premium.britannica.com\/premium-membership\/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=hamburger-menu&utm_campaign=blue)\n\n[Ask the Chatbot](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/chatbot)\n\n[Games & Quizzes](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/quiz\/browse) [History & Society](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/History-Society) [Science & Tech](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/Science-Tech) [Biographies](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/Biographies) [Animals & Nature](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/Animals-Nature) [Geography & Travel](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/Geography-Travel) [Arts & Culture](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/Arts-Culture) [ProCon](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/procon) [Money](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/money) [Videos](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/videos)\n\n[The Shining](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/The-Shining-film-by-Kubrick)\n\n[References](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/The-Shining-film-by-Kubrick)\n\n[Images](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/The-Shining-film-by-Kubrick\/images-videos)\n\n[![The Shining](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/19\/177219-004-44FD6E40\/Jack-Nicholson-The-Shining-Shelley-Duvall-Stanley.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/19\/177219-050-907DD0E7\/Jack-Nicholson-The-Shining-Shelley-Duvall-Stanley.jpg)\n\n![Britannica AI Icon](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel-resources\/3-179\/images\/chatbot\/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9)\n\nContents\n\nAsk Anything\n\n# The Shining\nfilm by Kubrick \\[1980\\]\n\nHomework Help\n\n![Britannica AI Icon](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel-resources\/3-179\/images\/chatbot\/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9) Britannica AI\n\nAsk Anything\n## **Learn about this topic** in these articles:\n### discussed in biography\n- ![Stanley Kubrick](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/20\/177220-050-05241222\/Stanley-Kubrick-filming-Barry-Lyndon.jpg?w=300)\n  In [Stanley Kubrick: Films of the 1970s of Stanley Kubrick](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Stanley-Kubrick\/Films-of-the-1970s#ref935529:~:text=King%E2%80%99s%20updated%20gothic%20horror%20novel%20The%20Shining.%20Jack%20Nicholson%20played%20a%20writer%20who%20becomes%20increasingly%20deranged%20and%20eventually%20turns%20upon%20his%20wife%20and%20young%20son%20while%20acting%20as%20the%20winter%20caretaker%20of%20an%20isolated%20hotel.%20The%20Shining%20%281980%29%20earned%20what%20had%20come%20to%20be%20the%20usual%20mixed%20critical%20reception%20for)\n  …King’s updated gothic horror novel *The Shining*. Jack Nicholson played a writer who becomes increasingly deranged and eventually turns upon his wife and young son while acting as the winter caretaker of an isolated hotel. *The Shining* (1980) earned what had come to be the usual mixed critical reception for…\n  [Read More](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Stanley-Kubrick\/Films-of-the-1970s#ref935529:~:text=King%E2%80%99s%20updated%20gothic%20horror%20novel%20The%20Shining.%20Jack%20Nicholson%20played%20a%20writer%20who%20becomes%20increasingly%20deranged%20and%20eventually%20turns%20upon%20his%20wife%20and%20young%20son%20while%20acting%20as%20the%20winter%20caretaker%20of%20an%20isolated%20hotel.%20The%20Shining%20%281980%29%20earned%20what%20had%20come%20to%20be%20the%20usual%20mixed%20critical%20reception%20for)\n\n### Nicholson’s role\n- ![Chinatown](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/44\/90544-050-8848B042\/Jack-Nicholson-Chinatown-Roman-Polanski.jpg?w=300)\n  In [Jack Nicholson: The Shining, Terms of Endearment, and As Good as It Gets](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Jack-Nicholson#ref749899:~:text=was%20in%20director%20Stanley%20Kubrick%E2%80%99s%20The%20Shining%20%281980%29%3B%20an%20adaptation%20of%20the%20Stephen%20King%20novel%2C%20it%20is%20a%20film%20over%20which%20critical%20opinion%20remains%20divided%20but%20the%20one%20with%20Nicholson%E2%80%99s%20ax-wielding%20rampage%E2%80%94culminating%20in%20his%20demonic%20cry%20of%20%E2%80%9CHeeeere%E2%80%99s%20Johnny%21%E2%80%9D%E2%80%94that%20became%20one%20of%20the%20indelible%20cinematic%20images%20of%20the%20era.)\n  …was in director Stanley Kubrick’s *The Shining* (1980); an adaptation of the Stephen King novel, it is a film over which critical opinion remains divided but the one with Nicholson’s ax-wielding rampage—culminating in his demonic cry of “Heeeere’s Johnny!”—that became one of the indelible cinematic images of the era.\n  [Read More](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Jack-Nicholson#ref749899:~:text=was%20in%20director%20Stanley%20Kubrick%E2%80%99s%20The%20Shining%20%281980%29%3B%20an%20adaptation%20of%20the%20Stephen%20King%20novel%2C%20it%20is%20a%20film%20over%20which%20critical%20opinion%20remains%20divided%20but%20the%20one%20with%20Nicholson%E2%80%99s%20ax-wielding%20rampage%E2%80%94culminating%20in%20his%20demonic%20cry%20of%20%E2%80%9CHeeeere%E2%80%99s%20Johnny%21%E2%80%9D%E2%80%94that%20became%20one%20of%20the%20indelible%20cinematic%20images%20of%20the%20era.)\n\n### novel by King\n- ![The master of chills and suspense](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/20\/217720-050-857D712B\/American-novelist-Stephen-King-2004.jpg?w=300)\n  In [Stephen King: Other novels](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Stephen-King#ref1275702:~:text=and%202004%29%3B%20The%20Shining%20%281977%3B%20film%201980%3B%20TV%20miniseries%201997%29%3B%20The%20Stand%20%281978%3B%20TV%20miniseries%201994%20and%202020%E2%80%9321%29%3B%20and%20The%20Dead%20Zone%20%281979%3B%20film%201983%3B%20TV%20series%202002%E2%80%9307%29.%20The%20Shining%2C%20a%20horror%20novel%20set%20in%20a%20haunted%20Colorado%20hotel%20in%20the%20winter%20offseason%2C%20was%20inspired%20by%20King%E2%80%99s%20one-night%20stay%20in)\n  and 2004); *The Shining* (1977; film 1980; TV miniseries 1997); *The Stand* (1978; TV miniseries 1994 and 2020–21); and *The Dead Zone* (1979; film 1983; TV series 2002–07). *The Shining*, a horror novel set in a haunted Colorado hotel in the winter offseason, was inspired by King’s one-night stay in…\n  [Read More](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Stephen-King#ref1275702:~:text=and%202004%29%3B%20The%20Shining%20%281977%3B%20film%201980%3B%20TV%20miniseries%201997%29%3B%20The%20Stand%20%281978%3B%20TV%20miniseries%201994%20and%202020%E2%80%9321%29%3B%20and%20The%20Dead%20Zone%20%281979%3B%20film%201983%3B%20TV%20series%202002%E2%80%9307%29.%20The%20Shining%2C%20a%20horror%20novel%20set%20in%20a%20haunted%20Colorado%20hotel%20in%20the%20winter%20offseason%2C%20was%20inspired%20by%20King%E2%80%99s%20one-night%20stay%20in)\n- ![The Shining](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/19\/177219-050-907DD0E7\/Jack-Nicholson-The-Shining-Shelley-Duvall-Stanley.jpg?w=300)\n  In [The Shining: Adaptations](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/The-Shining-novel-by-King#ref1275743:~:text=Stanley%20Kubrick%E2%80%99s%201980%20film%2C%20starring%20Jack%20Nicholson%20as%20Jack%20Torrance%20and%20Shelley%20Duvall%20as%20Wendy%2C%20is%20the%20most%20famous%20adaptation%20of%20King%E2%80%99s%20novel.%20It%20was%20one%20of%20Kubrick%E2%80%99s%20many%20film%20adaptations%20of%20books.%20Kubrick%E2%80%99s%20vision%20for%20the%20film%20differed%20significantly%20from%20King%E2%80%99s%3B%20in%20fact%2C%20Kubrick%20rejected%20the%20screenplay)\n  Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film, starring Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance and Shelley Duvall as Wendy, is the most famous adaptation of King’s novel. It was one of Kubrick’s many film adaptations of books. Kubrick’s vision for the film differed significantly from King’s; in fact, Kubrick rejected the screenplay…\n  [Read More](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/The-Shining-novel-by-King#ref1275743:~:text=Stanley%20Kubrick%E2%80%99s%201980%20film%2C%20starring%20Jack%20Nicholson%20as%20Jack%20Torrance%20and%20Shelley%20Duvall%20as%20Wendy%2C%20is%20the%20most%20famous%20adaptation%20of%20King%E2%80%99s%20novel.%20It%20was%20one%20of%20Kubrick%E2%80%99s%20many%20film%20adaptations%20of%20books.%20Kubrick%E2%80%99s%20vision%20for%20the%20film%20differed%20significantly%20from%20King%E2%80%99s%3B%20in%20fact%2C%20Kubrick%20rejected%20the%20screenplay)\n\n### screenplay by Johnson\n- In [Diane Johnson](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Diane-Johnson#ref1302021:~:text=She%20also%20wrote%20screenplays%2C%20including%20The%20Shining%20%281980%3B%20with%20Stanley%20Kubrick%29%3B%20a%20collection%20of%20essays%2C%20Terrorists%20and%20Novelists%20%281982%29%3B%20and%20Into%20a%20Paris%20Quartier%20%282005%29%2C%20about%20Paris%E2%80%99s%20Saint-Germain-des-Pr%C3%A9s%20neighbourhood.%20The%20memoir%20Flyover%20Lives%20was%20published%20in%202014.)\n  She also wrote screenplays, including *The Shining* (1980; with Stanley Kubrick); a collection of essays, *Terrorists and Novelists* (1982); and *Into a Paris Quartier* (2005), about Paris’s Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighbourhood. The memoir *Flyover Lives* was published in 2014.\n  [Read More](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Diane-Johnson#ref1302021:~:text=She%20also%20wrote%20screenplays%2C%20including%20The%20Shining%20%281980%3B%20with%20Stanley%20Kubrick%29%3B%20a%20collection%20of%20essays%2C%20Terrorists%20and%20Novelists%20%281982%29%3B%20and%20Into%20a%20Paris%20Quartier%20%282005%29%2C%20about%20Paris%E2%80%99s%20Saint-Germain-des-Pr%C3%A9s%20neighbourhood.%20The%20memoir%20Flyover%20Lives%20was%20published%20in%202014.)\n\n![Britannica AI Icon](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel-resources\/3-179\/images\/chatbot\/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9)Britannica AI\n\n*chevron\\_right*\n\nThe Shining\n\n*close*\n\n[AI-generated answers](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/about-britannica-ai) from Britannica articles. AI makes mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.\n\n[Jack Nicholson](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Jack-Nicholson)\n\n- [Introduction](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Jack-Nicholson)\n- [Early life and career](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Jack-Nicholson#ref327840)\n- [Stardom: *Easy Rider*, *Five Easy Pieces*, and *One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest*](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Jack-Nicholson#ref327841)\n- [*The Shining*, *Terms of Endearment*, and *As Good as It Gets*](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Jack-Nicholson#ref327842)\n- [Later work](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Jack-Nicholson#ref327843)\n\n[References & Edit History](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Jack-Nicholson\/additional-info)  [Quick Facts & Related Topics](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/facts\/Jack-Nicholson)\n\n[Images](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Jack-Nicholson\/images-videos)\n\n[![Chinatown](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/44\/90544-004-128EF4D3\/Jack-Nicholson-Chinatown-Roman-Polanski.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/44\/90544-050-8848B042\/Jack-Nicholson-Chinatown-Roman-Polanski.jpg)  [![Easy Rider](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/00\/176000-004-C3E26657\/Dennis-Hopper-Peter-Fonda-Jack-Nicholson-Easy.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/00\/176000-050-94B43894\/Dennis-Hopper-Peter-Fonda-Jack-Nicholson-Easy.jpg)  [![Five Easy Pieces](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/41\/177641-004-B774E8FC\/Jack-Nicholson-Five-Easy-Pieces-Bob-Rafelson.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/41\/177641-050-5ACD88E2\/Jack-Nicholson-Five-Easy-Pieces-Bob-Rafelson.jpg)  [![Scene from Carnal Knowledge](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/26\/90526-004-BB93B4A0\/Jack-Nicholson-Art-Garfunkel-Carol-Kane-Carnal.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/26\/90526-050-82148E68\/Jack-Nicholson-Art-Garfunkel-Carol-Kane-Carnal.jpg)  [![Chinatown](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/45\/177145-004-E2093C2D\/John-Huston-Chinatown-Jack-Nicholson-Roman-Polanski.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/45\/177145-050-E4CC92B8\/John-Huston-Chinatown-Jack-Nicholson-Roman-Polanski.jpg)  [![The Shining](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/19\/177219-004-44FD6E40\/Jack-Nicholson-The-Shining-Shelley-Duvall-Stanley.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/19\/177219-050-907DD0E7\/Jack-Nicholson-The-Shining-Shelley-Duvall-Stanley.jpg)  [![Terms of Endearment](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/62\/77162-004-3E9174EE\/Jack-Nicholson-Shirley-MacLaine-Terms-of-Endearment.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/62\/77162-050-312FFA4F\/Jack-Nicholson-Shirley-MacLaine-Terms-of-Endearment.jpg)  [![As Good As It Gets](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/12\/77312-004-FDABCCA5\/Helen-Hunt-Jack-Nicholson-As-Good-It.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/12\/77312-050-0A3C54D0\/Helen-Hunt-Jack-Nicholson-As-Good-It.jpg)  [![The Departed](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/90\/99190-004-61249490\/Leonardo-DiCaprio-The-Departed-Jack-Nicholson-Martin.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/90\/99190-050-A68AC8B1\/Leonardo-DiCaprio-The-Departed-Jack-Nicholson-Martin.jpg)  [![Something's Gotta Give](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/78\/191378-004-F7C1F326\/Diane-Keaton-Something-Jack-Nicholson-Gotta-Give.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/78\/191378-050-CC606B7C\/Diane-Keaton-Something-Jack-Nicholson-Gotta-Give.jpg)\n\nAt a Glance\n\n[![default image](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel-resources\/3-179\/images\/shared\/new-thistle.svg?v=3.179.9)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/summary\/Jack-Nicholson)\n\n[Jack Nicholson summary](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/summary\/Jack-Nicholson)\n\nQuizzes\n\n[![Empty movie theater and blank screen (theatre, motion pictures, cinema).](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/23\/114923-131-785286EA\/projection-screen-movie-theater-cinema.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/quiz\/oscar-worthy-movie-trivia)\n\n[Oscar-Worthy Movie Trivia](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/quiz\/oscar-worthy-movie-trivia)\n\n[![Publicity still with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman from the motion picture film \"Casablanca\" (1942); directed by Michael Curtiz. (cinema, movies)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/14\/240414-131-1042720D\/Casablanca-film.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/quiz\/best-picture-movie-quote-quiz)\n\n[Best Picture Movie Quote Quiz](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/quiz\/best-picture-movie-quote-quiz)\n\n[![USA 2006 - 78th Annual Academy Awards. Closeup of giant Oscar statue at the entrance of the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Hompepage blog 2009, arts and entertainment, film movie hollywood](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/65\/129465-131-8F637272\/USA-Annual-Academy-Awards-Closeup-entrance-statue-2009.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/quiz\/pop-culture-quiz)\n\n[Pop Culture Quiz](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/quiz\/pop-culture-quiz)\n\nRelated Questions\n\n- [What was the cause of death for Sage Stallone?](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/question\/What-was-the-cause-of-death-for-Sage-Stallone)\n- [What are Angelina Jolie’s notable movies?](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/question\/What-are-Angelina-Jolies-notable-movies)\n- [Who are Angelina Jolie’s children?](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/question\/Who-are-Angelina-Jolies-children)\n- [What is Leonardo DiCaprio known for?](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/question\/What-is-Leonardo-DiCaprio-known-for)\n- [Has Leonardo DiCaprio won an Academy Award?](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/question\/Has-Leonardo-DiCaprio-won-an-Academy-Award)\n\n![Britannica AI Icon](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel-resources\/3-179\/images\/chatbot\/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9)\n\nAsk Anything\n\nQuick Summary\n\n[Entertainment & Pop Culture](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/browse\/Entertainment-Pop-Culture)    [Movie, TV & Stage Directors](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/browse\/Movie-TV-Stage-Directors)\n\nCITE\n\nShare\n\nFeedback\n\nExternal Websites\n\n[![Chinatown](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/44\/90544-050-8848B042\/Jack-Nicholson-Chinatown-Roman-Polanski.jpg?w=400&h=300&c=crop)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/44\/90544-050-8848B042\/Jack-Nicholson-Chinatown-Roman-Polanski.jpg)\n\n[*Chinatown*](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/44\/90544-050-8848B042\/Jack-Nicholson-Chinatown-Roman-Polanski.jpg) Jack Nicholson in *Chinatown* (1974).\n\n(more)\n\n# Jack Nicholson\nAmerican actor\n\nHomework Help\n\nAlso known as: John Joseph Nicholson\n\nWritten and fact-checked by\n\n[Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/editor\/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica\/4419)\n\nBritannica Editors\n\nLast updated\n\nMar. 2, 2026\n\n•[History](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Jack-Nicholson\/additional-info#history)\n\n![Britannica AI Icon](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel-resources\/3-179\/images\/chatbot\/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9) Britannica AI\n\nAsk Anything\n\nQuick Summary\n\nTable of Contents\n\nTable of Contents\n\nQuick Summary\n\nAsk Anything\n\n## News •\n[Sean Penn Absent From 2026 Oscars](https:\/\/www.hollywoodreporter.com\/movies\/movie-news\/sean-penn-skips-2026-oscars-1236533826\/)\n\n• Mar. 15, 2026, 10:07 PM ET (The Hollywood Reporter)\n\n...(Show more)\n\n[Sean Penn Ties All-Time Record for Male Acting Wins at Oscars 2026](https:\/\/www.hollywoodreporter.com\/movies\/movie-news\/sean-penn-ties-male-acting-wins-record-oscars-2026-1236533190\/)  • Mar. 15, 2026, 8:28 PM ET (The Hollywood Reporter)\n\nShow less\n\nTop Questions\n\n- Who is Jack Nicholson?\n- What is Jack Nicholson best known for?\n- What are some famous movies Jack Nicholson has acted in?\n- What awards has Jack Nicholson won during his career?\n- How has Jack Nicholson influenced American cinema?\n- What are some unique traits or styles that make Jack Nicholson’s acting stand out?\n\nShow more\n\nShow less\n\n**Jack Nicholson** (born April 22, 1937, Neptune, [New Jersey](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/New-Jersey), U.S.) is one of the most prominent American motion-picture actors of his generation, especially noted for his [versatile](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/dictionary\/versatile) portrayals of unconventional, alienated outsiders.\n\n## Early life and career\nNicholson, whose father abandoned his family, grew up believing that his grandmother was his mother and that his mother was his older sister; it was not until he had attained fame that Nicholson himself learned the truth. After graduating from [high school](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/high-school), he moved to [California](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/California-state), where he took an office job in [Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/money\/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer-Inc)’s animation department. During the years 1957–58 he performed on stage with the Players Ring Theater in [Los Angeles](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Los-Angeles-California) and landed some small roles on [television](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/technology\/television-technology). About this time he met [B-film](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/art\/B-film) king [Roger Corman](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Roger-Corman), who offered him the leading role in his low-budget [film](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/art\/film) *[The Cry Baby Killer](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/The-Cry-Baby-Killer)* (1958). Nicholson spent the next decade playing major roles in B-films (including several more for Corman), occasional supporting roles in A-films (such as *[Ensign Pulver](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Ensign-Pulver)*, 1964), and guest roles on such television series as [*The Andy Griffith Show*](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/The-Andy-Griffith-Show). He also dabbled in screenwriting, with his best-known credits being Corman’s [LSD](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/LSD)\\-hallucination film *[The Trip](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/The-Trip)* (1967) and the surrealistic romp *[Head](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Head-film-by-Rafelson)* (1968), a box-office failure starring [the Monkees](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/the-Monkees-American-music-group) that has since attracted a cult following.\n\n## Stardom: *Easy Rider*, *Five Easy Pieces*, and *One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest*\n[![Easy Rider](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/00\/176000-050-94B43894\/Dennis-Hopper-Peter-Fonda-Jack-Nicholson-Easy.jpg?w=300)1 of 3](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/00\/176000-050-94B43894\/Dennis-Hopper-Peter-Fonda-Jack-Nicholson-Easy.jpg)\n\n[*Easy Rider*](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/00\/176000-050-94B43894\/Dennis-Hopper-Peter-Fonda-Jack-Nicholson-Easy.jpg)(From left to right) Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda, and Jack Nicholson in *Easy Rider* (1969), directed by Dennis Hopper.\n\n(more)\n\n[![Five Easy Pieces](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/41\/177641-050-5ACD88E2\/Jack-Nicholson-Five-Easy-Pieces-Bob-Rafelson.jpg?w=300)2 of 3](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/41\/177641-050-5ACD88E2\/Jack-Nicholson-Five-Easy-Pieces-Bob-Rafelson.jpg)\n\n[*Five Easy Pieces*](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/41\/177641-050-5ACD88E2\/Jack-Nicholson-Five-Easy-Pieces-Bob-Rafelson.jpg)Jack Nicholson (foreground) in *Five Easy Pieces* (1970), directed by Bob Rafelson.\n\n(more)\n\n[![Scene from Carnal Knowledge](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/26\/90526-050-82148E68\/Jack-Nicholson-Art-Garfunkel-Carol-Kane-Carnal.jpg?w=300)3 of 3](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/26\/90526-050-82148E68\/Jack-Nicholson-Art-Garfunkel-Carol-Kane-Carnal.jpg)\n\n[Scene from *Carnal Knowledge*](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/26\/90526-050-82148E68\/Jack-Nicholson-Art-Garfunkel-Carol-Kane-Carnal.jpg)(From left) Jack Nicholson, Art Garfunkel, and Carol Kane in *Carnal Knowledge* (1971).\n\n(more)\n\nNicholson’s big break finally came with [*Easy Rider*](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Easy-Rider) (1969), a [seminal](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/seminal) counterculture film starring [Peter Fonda](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Peter-Fonda) and [Dennis Hopper](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Dennis-Hopper) as drifting, drug-dealing bikers and Nicholson in a scene-stealing, Oscar-nominated supporting performance as an alcoholic lawyer. Nicholson’s newfound stardom was secured with his leading role in *[Five Easy Pieces](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Five-Easy-Pieces)* (1970), an episodic, [existentialist](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/existentialism) [drama](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/art\/theatre-art) and a major entry in [Hollywood](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Hollywood-California)’s “art film” movement of the early 1970s. Nicholson’s portrayal of a man alienated from his family, friends, career, and lovers garnered him an Oscar nomination for best actor. His next successful film, director [Mike Nichols](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Mike-Nichols)’s *[Carnal Knowledge](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Carnal-Knowledge)* (1971), was a darkly humorous condemnation of male sexual mores; it was perhaps mainstream Hollywood’s most sexually explicit film to date. Nicholson’s performance as an emotionally empty, predatory chauvinist showcased his talent for interjecting humor into serious situations as a means to underscore [inherent](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/inherent) irony—typically, his darkest characters are wickedly funny.\n\n[![Publicity still with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman from the motion picture film \"Casablanca\" (1942); directed by Michael Curtiz. (cinema, movies)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/14\/240414-131-1042720D\/Casablanca-film.jpg) Britannica Quiz Best Picture Movie Quote Quiz](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/quiz\/best-picture-movie-quote-quiz)\n\n[![Chinatown](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/45\/177145-050-E4CC92B8\/John-Huston-Chinatown-Jack-Nicholson-Roman-Polanski.jpg?w=300)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/45\/177145-050-E4CC92B8\/John-Huston-Chinatown-Jack-Nicholson-Roman-Polanski.jpg)\n\n[*Chinatown*](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/45\/177145-050-E4CC92B8\/John-Huston-Chinatown-Jack-Nicholson-Roman-Polanski.jpg)John Huston (left) and Jack Nicholson in *Chinatown* (1974), directed by Roman Polanski.\n\n(more)\n\nNicholson earned another Oscar nomination for *[The Last Detail](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/The-Last-Detail)* (1973), in which he portrayed a rowdy [military police](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/military-police) officer who reluctantly escorts a young sailor to military prison. He next starred in [Roman Polanski](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Roman-Polanski)’s [*Chinatown*](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Chinatown-film-by-Polanski) (1974), an homage to the [film noir](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/art\/film-noir) detective films of the 1940s and a widely acknowledged cinematic masterpiece. Nicholson’s brilliant performance as stylish private eye Jake Gittes, who realizes too late his impotence in the face of wealth and corruption, earned him a fourth Oscar nomination. The actor capped this highly successful period with his first Oscar win, for [*One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest*](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/One-Flew-over-the-Cuckoos-Nest-film-by-Forman) (1975), in which his iconoclastic, free-spirited characterization of mental institution inmate R.P. McMurphy serves as a [metaphor](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/metaphor) for the hopelessness of rebellion against established authority. Other notable Nicholson films from this period include [Michelangelo Antonioni](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Michelangelo-Antonioni)’s *Professione: reporter* (1975; *The Passenger*), in which Nicholson portrays a depressed reporter who assumes a dead man’s identity, and *[Tommy](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Tommy-film-by-Russell)* (1975), director [Ken Russell](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Ken-Russell)’s garish production of [the Who](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/the-Who)’s rock opera, featuring Nicholson in a supporting singing role as the title character’s doctor.\n\n## *The Shining*, *Terms of Endearment*, and *As Good as It Gets*\n[![The Shining](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/19\/177219-050-907DD0E7\/Jack-Nicholson-The-Shining-Shelley-Duvall-Stanley.jpg?w=300)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/19\/177219-050-907DD0E7\/Jack-Nicholson-The-Shining-Shelley-Duvall-Stanley.jpg)\n\n[*The Shining*](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/19\/177219-050-907DD0E7\/Jack-Nicholson-The-Shining-Shelley-Duvall-Stanley.jpg)Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall in *The Shining* (1980), directed by Stanley Kubrick. The film was adapted from Stephen King's novel, published in 1977.\n\n(more)\n\nHis stardom assured, Nicholson worked sporadically during the next few years. He costarred with [Marlon Brando](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Marlon-Brando) in the [Arthur Penn](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Arthur-Penn) [western](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/art\/western) *[The Missouri Breaks](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/The-Missouri-Breaks)* (1976), an uneven yet compellingly quirky film; and he directed and starred in another revisionist western, *Goin’ South* (1978). His next notable role was in director [Stanley Kubrick](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Stanley-Kubrick)’s *[The Shining](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/The-Shining-film-by-Kubrick)* (1980); an [adaptation](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/adaptation) of the [Stephen King](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Stephen-King) novel, it is a film over which critical opinion remains divided but the one with Nicholson’s ax-wielding rampage—culminating in his demonic cry of “Heeeere’s Johnny!”—that became one of the indelible cinematic images of the era.\n\n[![Terms of Endearment](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/62\/77162-050-312FFA4F\/Jack-Nicholson-Shirley-MacLaine-Terms-of-Endearment.jpg?w=300)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/62\/77162-050-312FFA4F\/Jack-Nicholson-Shirley-MacLaine-Terms-of-Endearment.jpg)\n\n[*Terms of Endearment*](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/62\/77162-050-312FFA4F\/Jack-Nicholson-Shirley-MacLaine-Terms-of-Endearment.jpg)Jack Nicholson and Shirley MacLaine in *Terms of Endearment* (1983).\n\n(more)\n\nNicholson appeared in several quality films during the 1980s, garnering further Academy Award nominations for *Reds* (1981), *Prizzi’s Honor* (1985), and *Ironweed* (1987) and winning a [best supporting actor Oscar](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/art\/Academy-Award-for-best-supporting-actor) for his role as a drunken-but-decent ex-[astronaut](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/astronaut) in *[Terms of Endearment](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Terms-of-Endearment-film-by-Brooks)* (1983). Two of his most popular performances of the decade came in *The Witches of Eastwick* (1987) and *Batman* (1989), which featured Nicholson’s over-the-top comic turns as [the Devil](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/devil) and [the Joker](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/the-Joker-fictional-character), respectively.\n\n[![As Good As It Gets](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/12\/77312-050-0A3C54D0\/Helen-Hunt-Jack-Nicholson-As-Good-It.jpg?w=300)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/12\/77312-050-0A3C54D0\/Helen-Hunt-Jack-Nicholson-As-Good-It.jpg)\n\n[*As Good As It Gets*](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/12\/77312-050-0A3C54D0\/Helen-Hunt-Jack-Nicholson-As-Good-It.jpg)(From left to right) Helen Hunt, Jack Nicholson, and Greg Kinnear in *As Good As It Gets* (1997).\n\n(more)\n\nBy the 1990s Nicholson was regarded as a screen icon. He began the decade by [directing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/art\/directing) and starring in *[The Two Jakes](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/The-Two-Jakes)* (1990), a sequel to *Chinatown* that generated [lukewarm](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/dictionary\/lukewarm) reviews. Better-received were *Hoffa* (1992), in which he portrayed the controversial [Teamsters](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Teamsters-Union) boss [Jimmy Hoffa](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Jimmy-Hoffa), and *[A Few Good Men](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/A-Few-Good-Men-film-by-Reiner)* (1992), in which his supporting performance as a dyspeptic marine colonel earned him his 10th Oscar nomination, an all-time record for a male actor. His 11th nomination, for his portrayal of a misanthropic writer in *[As Good as It Gets](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/As-Good-As-It-Gets)* (1997), resulted in Nicholson’s third Oscar (his second for best actor).\n\nExplore Britannica Premium\\!\n\nGo beyond the basics with trusted, in-depth knowledge for professionals, students, and lifelong learners.\n\n[SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/premium.britannica.com\/premium-membership\/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=basics-2026)\n\n![Penguin, ship, mountain, atlas](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-left.webp)\n\n![shohei ohtani, plants, andy wharhol art](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-right.webp)\n\n![Mobile](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-mobile.webp?w=400)\n\n## Later work\n[![The Departed](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/90\/99190-050-A68AC8B1\/Leonardo-DiCaprio-The-Departed-Jack-Nicholson-Martin.jpg?w=300)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/90\/99190-050-A68AC8B1\/Leonardo-DiCaprio-The-Departed-Jack-Nicholson-Martin.jpg)\n\n[*The Departed*](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/90\/99190-050-A68AC8B1\/Leonardo-DiCaprio-The-Departed-Jack-Nicholson-Martin.jpg)Leonardo DiCaprio (left) and Jack Nicholson in *The Departed* (2006).\n\n(more)\n\nAt the beginning of the 21st century, Nicholson continued to star in dramatic roles. After playing a world-weary former cop in [Sean Penn](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Sean-Penn)’s *[The Pledge](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/The-Pledge)* (2001), he scored another personal [triumph](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/dictionary\/triumph) with his much-lauded performance as the title character in [Alexander Payne](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Alexander-Payne)’s *[About Schmidt](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/About-Schmidt)* (2002), a movie about a retired widower seeking to mend his relationship with his daughter. Nicholson’s understated [acting](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/art\/acting) in the melancholic comedy earned him a 12th Academy Award nomination. In 2006 he appeared as Irish mobster Frank Costello in [Martin Scorsese](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Martin-Scorsese)’s *[The Departed](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/The-Departed)*.\n\nNicholson continued his success in comedic roles when he starred as an over-the-top psychiatrist in *[Anger Management](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Anger-Management)* (2003) and as an aging playboy who falls in love with a playwright (played by [Diane Keaton](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Diane-Keaton)) in *[Something’s Gotta Give](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Somethings-Gotta-Give)* (2004). In *[The Bucket List](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/The-Bucket-List)* (2007) Nicholson and [Morgan Freeman](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Morgan-Freeman) portray two terminally ill men who escape a hospital ward so they can accomplish everything they want to do before dying. He later appeared as an [irascible](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/irascible) father in the [romantic comedy](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/art\/romantic-comedy-film) *[How Do You Know](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/How-Do-You-Know)* (2010), his fourth collaboration with director [James L. Brooks](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/James-L-Brooks).\n\nQuick Facts\n\nOriginal name:\n\nJohn Joseph Nicholson\n\n*(Show more)*\n\nBorn:\n\nApril 22, 1937, Neptune, [New Jersey](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/New-Jersey), [U.S.](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/United-States) (age 88)\n\n*(Show more)*\n\nAwards And Honors:\n\n[Kennedy Center Honors (2001)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Kennedy-Center-Honors)\n\n[Academy Award (1998)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/art\/Academy-Award)\n\n[Grammy Award (1987)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/art\/Grammy-Award)\n\n[Academy Award (1984)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/art\/Academy-Award)\n\n[Academy Award (1976)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/art\/Academy-Award)\n\nAcademy Award (1998): Actor in a Leading Role\n\nAcademy Award (1984): Actor in a Supporting Role\n\nAcademy Award (1976): Actor in a Leading Role\n\nCecil B. DeMille Award (1999)\n\nGolden Globe Award (2003): Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama\n\nGolden Globe Award (1998): Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy\n\nGolden Globe Award (1986): Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy\n\nGolden Globe Award (1984): Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture\n\nGolden Globe Award (1976): Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama\n\nGolden Globe Award (1975): Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama\n\nGrammy Award (1988): Best Recording for Children\n\n*(Show more)*\n\nNotable Works:\n\n[“Goin’ South”](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Goin-South)\n\n[“The Two Jakes”](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/The-Two-Jakes)\n\n*(Show more)*\n\nMarried To:\n\nSandra Knight (1962–1968)\n\n*(Show more)*\n\nMovies\/Tv Shows (Acted In):\n\n\"The Shooting\" (1966)\n\n\"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest\" (1975)\n\n\"Hoffa\" (1992)\n\n\"On a Clear Day You Can See Forever\" (1970)\n\n\"I'm Still Here\" (2010)\n\n\"The Fortune\" (1975)\n\n\"Batman\" (1989)\n\n\"Psych-Out\" (1968)\n\n\"The Little Shop of Horrors\" (1960)\n\n\"Ironweed\" (1987)\n\n\"The Shining\" (1980)\n\n\"The Missouri Breaks\" (1976)\n\n\"The King of Marvin Gardens\" (1972)\n\n\"The Guns of Will Sonnett\" (1967)\n\n\"Prizzi's Honor\" (1985)\n\n\"Anger Management\" (2003)\n\n\"About Schmidt\" (2002)\n\n\"The Two Jakes\" (1990)\n\n\"Mars Attacks!\" (1996)\n\n\"Tales of Wells Fargo\" (1961)\n\n\"A Few Good Men\" (1992)\n\n\"How Do You Know\" (2010)\n\n\"Mr. Lucky\" (1960)\n\n\"The Rebel Rousers\" (1970)\n\n\"The Wild Ride\" (1960)\n\n\"Something's Gotta Give\" (2003)\n\n\"The Broken Land\" (1962)\n\n\"Studs Lonigan\" (1960)\n\n\"Bronco\" (1961)\n\n\"The Last Tycoon\" (1976)\n\n\"The Cry Baby Killer\" (1958)\n\n\"Reds\" (1981)\n\n\"Chinatown\" (1974)\n\n\"Matinee Theatre\" (1956)\n\n\"The Witches of Eastwick\" (1987)\n\n\"Wolf\" (1994)\n\n\"The Raven\" (1963)\n\n\"Sea Hunt\" (1961)\n\n\"Terms of Endearment\" (1983)\n\n\"The Departed\" (2006)\n\n\"The Border\" (1982)\n\n\"The Bucket List\" (2007)\n\n\"The Evening Star\" (1996)\n\n\"Back Door to Hell\" (1964)\n\n\"The Barbara Stanwyck Show\" (1960)\n\n\"As Good as It Gets\" (1997)\n\n\"Broadcast News\" (1987)\n\n\"The Pledge\" (2001)\n\n\"Carnal Knowledge\" (1971)\n\n\"A Safe Place\" (1971)\n\n\"The Last Detail\" (1973)\n\n\"Easy Rider\" (1969)\n\n\"Professione: reporter\" (1975)\n\n\"The Andy Griffith Show\" (1966–1967)\n\n\"The Crossing Guard\" (1995)\n\n\"The Terror\" (1963)\n\n\"Flight to Fury\" (1964)\n\n\"Five Easy Pieces\" (1970)\n\n\"The Postman Always Rings Twice\" (1981)\n\n\"Dr. Kildare\" (1966)\n\n\"Ensign Pulver\" (1964)\n\n\"Goin' South\" (1978)\n\n\"Too Soon to Love\" (1960)\n\n\"Man Trouble\" (1992)\n\n\"Ride in the Whirlwind\" (1966)\n\n\"Tommy\" (1975)\n\n\"Hells Angels on Wheels\" (1967)\n\n\"Heartburn\" (1986)\n\n\"Hawaiian Eye\" (1962)\n\n\"Blood and Wine\" (1996)\n\n*(Show more)*\n\nMovies\/Tv Shows (Directed):\n\n\"Drive, He Said\" (1971)\n\n\"The Two Jakes\" (1990)\n\n\"Goin' South\" (1978)\n\n*(Show more)*\n\nMovies\/Tv Shows (Writing\/Creator):\n\n\"Ride in the Whirlwind\" (1966)\n\n\"Drive, He Said\" (1971)\n\n\"Flight to Fury\" (1964)\n\n\"Thunder Island\" (1963)\n\n\"Head\" (1968)\n\n\"The Trip\" (1967)\n\n*(Show more)*\n\n[See all related content](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/facts\/Jack-Nicholson)\n\nShow More\n\nAlthough Nicholson’s widely imitated trademarks of a devilish smile and a slow, detached speaking style remained constant throughout the years, his screen persona mellowed in its [metamorphosis](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/metamorphosis) from iconoclastic leading man to mainstream character actor, and his roles of later years reflect in many ways the maturation of his generation. As he entered his later years, he often played men with a youthful rebellious streak but who have also learned the value of sensitivity. Nicholson was awarded the [American Film Institute](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/American-Film-Institute)’s Life Achievement Award in 1994.\n\n[The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/editor\/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica\/4419)\n\nThis article was most recently revised and updated by [Will Gosner](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/editor\/will-gosner\/9852049).\n\n![Britannica AI Icon](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel-resources\/3-179\/images\/chatbot\/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9)Britannica AI\n\n*chevron\\_right*\n\nJack Nicholson\n\n*close*\n\n[AI-generated answers](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/about-britannica-ai) from Britannica articles. AI makes mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.\n\nLoad Next Page\n\nFeedback\n\nThank you for your feedback\n\nOur editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.\n\n*print* Print\n\nPlease select which sections you would like to print:\n\n*verified*Cite\n\nWhile every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.\n\nSelect Citation Style\n\nBritannica Editors. \"Jack Nicholson\". *Encyclopedia Britannica*, 2 Mar. 2026, https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Jack-Nicholson. Accessed 10 April 2026.\n\nCopy Citation\n\nShare\n\nShare to social media\n\n[Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BRITANNICA\/) [X](https:\/\/x.com\/britannica)\n\nURL\n\n<https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Jack-Nicholson>\n\nExternal Websites\n\n- [BBC - Film '82: Jack Nicholson interview](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/videos\/clkmmpr0xkeo)\n- [Turner Classic Movies - Jack Nicholson](https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/person\/140981|75990\/Jack-Nicholson\/#overview)\n- [NPR - The Truth is Just As Tricky As Jack Nicholson Said It Was](https:\/\/www.npr.org\/sections\/talk\/2008\/02\/the_truth_is_just_as_tricky_as_1.html)\n- [The Kennedy Center - Jack Nicholson](https:\/\/www.kennedy-center.org\/artists\/n\/na-nn\/jack-nicholson\/)\n- [Golden Globes - Jack Nicholson](https:\/\/goldenglobes.com\/person\/jack-nicholson\/)\n\nBritannica Websites\n\nArticles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.\n\n- [Jack Nicholson - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)](https:\/\/kids.britannica.com\/students\/article\/Jack-Nicholson\/312715)","attrs_readable_markdown":"## News •\nTop Questions\n\n- Who is Jack Nicholson?\n- What is Jack Nicholson best known for?\n- What are some famous movies Jack Nicholson has acted in?\n- What awards has Jack Nicholson won during his career?\n- How has Jack Nicholson influenced American cinema?\n- What are some unique traits or styles that make Jack Nicholson’s acting stand out?\n\n**Jack Nicholson** (born April 22, 1937, Neptune, [New Jersey](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/New-Jersey), U.S.) is one of the most prominent American motion-picture actors of his generation, especially noted for his [versatile](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/dictionary\/versatile) portrayals of unconventional, alienated outsiders.\n\n## Early life and career\nNicholson, whose father abandoned his family, grew up believing that his grandmother was his mother and that his mother was his older sister; it was not until he had attained fame that Nicholson himself learned the truth. After graduating from [high school](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/high-school), he moved to [California](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/California-state), where he took an office job in [Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/money\/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer-Inc)’s animation department. During the years 1957–58 he performed on stage with the Players Ring Theater in [Los Angeles](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Los-Angeles-California) and landed some small roles on [television](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/technology\/television-technology). About this time he met [B-film](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/art\/B-film) king [Roger Corman](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Roger-Corman), who offered him the leading role in his low-budget [film](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/art\/film) *[The Cry Baby Killer](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/The-Cry-Baby-Killer)* (1958). Nicholson spent the next decade playing major roles in B-films (including several more for Corman), occasional supporting roles in A-films (such as *[Ensign Pulver](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Ensign-Pulver)*, 1964), and guest roles on such television series as [*The Andy Griffith Show*](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/The-Andy-Griffith-Show). He also dabbled in screenwriting, with his best-known credits being Corman’s [LSD](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/LSD)\\-hallucination film *[The Trip](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/The-Trip)* (1967) and the surrealistic romp *[Head](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Head-film-by-Rafelson)* (1968), a box-office failure starring [the Monkees](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/the-Monkees-American-music-group) that has since attracted a cult following.\n\n## Stardom: *Easy Rider*, *Five Easy Pieces*, and *One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest*\nNicholson’s big break finally came with [*Easy Rider*](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Easy-Rider) (1969), a [seminal](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/seminal) counterculture film starring [Peter Fonda](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Peter-Fonda) and [Dennis Hopper](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Dennis-Hopper) as drifting, drug-dealing bikers and Nicholson in a scene-stealing, Oscar-nominated supporting performance as an alcoholic lawyer. Nicholson’s newfound stardom was secured with his leading role in *[Five Easy Pieces](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Five-Easy-Pieces)* (1970), an episodic, [existentialist](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/existentialism) [drama](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/art\/theatre-art) and a major entry in [Hollywood](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Hollywood-California)’s “art film” movement of the early 1970s. Nicholson’s portrayal of a man alienated from his family, friends, career, and lovers garnered him an Oscar nomination for best actor. His next successful film, director [Mike Nichols](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Mike-Nichols)’s *[Carnal Knowledge](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Carnal-Knowledge)* (1971), was a darkly humorous condemnation of male sexual mores; it was perhaps mainstream Hollywood’s most sexually explicit film to date. Nicholson’s performance as an emotionally empty, predatory chauvinist showcased his talent for interjecting humor into serious situations as a means to underscore [inherent](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/inherent) irony—typically, his darkest characters are wickedly funny.\n\n[![Publicity still with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman from the motion picture film \"Casablanca\" (1942); directed by Michael Curtiz. (cinema, movies)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/14\/240414-131-1042720D\/Casablanca-film.jpg) Britannica Quiz Best Picture Movie Quote Quiz](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/quiz\/best-picture-movie-quote-quiz)\n\n[*Chinatown*](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/45\/177145-050-E4CC92B8\/John-Huston-Chinatown-Jack-Nicholson-Roman-Polanski.jpg)John Huston (left) and Jack Nicholson in *Chinatown* (1974), directed by Roman Polanski.\n\nNicholson earned another Oscar nomination for *[The Last Detail](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/The-Last-Detail)* (1973), in which he portrayed a rowdy [military police](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/military-police) officer who reluctantly escorts a young sailor to military prison. He next starred in [Roman Polanski](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Roman-Polanski)’s [*Chinatown*](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Chinatown-film-by-Polanski) (1974), an homage to the [film noir](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/art\/film-noir) detective films of the 1940s and a widely acknowledged cinematic masterpiece. Nicholson’s brilliant performance as stylish private eye Jake Gittes, who realizes too late his impotence in the face of wealth and corruption, earned him a fourth Oscar nomination. The actor capped this highly successful period with his first Oscar win, for [*One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest*](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/One-Flew-over-the-Cuckoos-Nest-film-by-Forman) (1975), in which his iconoclastic, free-spirited characterization of mental institution inmate R.P. McMurphy serves as a [metaphor](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/metaphor) for the hopelessness of rebellion against established authority. Other notable Nicholson films from this period include [Michelangelo Antonioni](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Michelangelo-Antonioni)’s *Professione: reporter* (1975; *The Passenger*), in which Nicholson portrays a depressed reporter who assumes a dead man’s identity, and *[Tommy](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Tommy-film-by-Russell)* (1975), director [Ken Russell](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Ken-Russell)’s garish production of [the Who](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/the-Who)’s rock opera, featuring Nicholson in a supporting singing role as the title character’s doctor.\n\n## *The Shining*, *Terms of Endearment*, and *As Good as It Gets*\n[*The Shining*](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/19\/177219-050-907DD0E7\/Jack-Nicholson-The-Shining-Shelley-Duvall-Stanley.jpg)Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall in *The Shining* (1980), directed by Stanley Kubrick. The film was adapted from Stephen King's novel, published in 1977.\n\nHis stardom assured, Nicholson worked sporadically during the next few years. He costarred with [Marlon Brando](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Marlon-Brando) in the [Arthur Penn](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Arthur-Penn) [western](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/art\/western) *[The Missouri Breaks](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/The-Missouri-Breaks)* (1976), an uneven yet compellingly quirky film; and he directed and starred in another revisionist western, *Goin’ South* (1978). His next notable role was in director [Stanley Kubrick](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Stanley-Kubrick)’s *[The Shining](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/The-Shining-film-by-Kubrick)* (1980); an [adaptation](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/adaptation) of the [Stephen King](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Stephen-King) novel, it is a film over which critical opinion remains divided but the one with Nicholson’s ax-wielding rampage—culminating in his demonic cry of “Heeeere’s Johnny!”—that became one of the indelible cinematic images of the era.\n\nNicholson appeared in several quality films during the 1980s, garnering further Academy Award nominations for *Reds* (1981), *Prizzi’s Honor* (1985), and *Ironweed* (1987) and winning a [best supporting actor Oscar](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/art\/Academy-Award-for-best-supporting-actor) for his role as a drunken-but-decent ex-[astronaut](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/astronaut) in *[Terms of Endearment](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Terms-of-Endearment-film-by-Brooks)* (1983). Two of his most popular performances of the decade came in *The Witches of Eastwick* (1987) and *Batman* (1989), which featured Nicholson’s over-the-top comic turns as [the Devil](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/devil) and [the Joker](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/the-Joker-fictional-character), respectively.\n\n[*As Good As It Gets*](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/12\/77312-050-0A3C54D0\/Helen-Hunt-Jack-Nicholson-As-Good-It.jpg)(From left to right) Helen Hunt, Jack Nicholson, and Greg Kinnear in *As Good As It Gets* (1997).\n\nBy the 1990s Nicholson was regarded as a screen icon. He began the decade by [directing](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/art\/directing) and starring in *[The Two Jakes](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/The-Two-Jakes)* (1990), a sequel to *Chinatown* that generated [lukewarm](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/dictionary\/lukewarm) reviews. Better-received were *Hoffa* (1992), in which he portrayed the controversial [Teamsters](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Teamsters-Union) boss [Jimmy Hoffa](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Jimmy-Hoffa), and *[A Few Good Men](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/A-Few-Good-Men-film-by-Reiner)* (1992), in which his supporting performance as a dyspeptic marine colonel earned him his 10th Oscar nomination, an all-time record for a male actor. His 11th nomination, for his portrayal of a misanthropic writer in *[As Good as It Gets](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/As-Good-As-It-Gets)* (1997), resulted in Nicholson’s third Oscar (his second for best actor).\n\nGo beyond the basics with trusted, in-depth knowledge for professionals, students, and lifelong learners.\n\n[SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/premium.britannica.com\/premium-membership\/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=basics-2026)\n\n![Penguin, ship, mountain, atlas](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-left.webp)\n\n![shohei ohtani, plants, andy wharhol art](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-right.webp)\n\n![Mobile](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-mobile.webp?w=400)\n\n## Later work\n[*The Departed*](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/90\/99190-050-A68AC8B1\/Leonardo-DiCaprio-The-Departed-Jack-Nicholson-Martin.jpg)Leonardo DiCaprio (left) and Jack Nicholson in *The Departed* (2006).\n\nAt the beginning of the 21st century, Nicholson continued to star in dramatic roles. After playing a world-weary former cop in [Sean Penn](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Sean-Penn)’s *[The Pledge](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/The-Pledge)* (2001), he scored another personal [triumph](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/dictionary\/triumph) with his much-lauded performance as the title character in [Alexander Payne](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Alexander-Payne)’s *[About Schmidt](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/About-Schmidt)* (2002), a movie about a retired widower seeking to mend his relationship with his daughter. Nicholson’s understated [acting](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/art\/acting) in the melancholic comedy earned him a 12th Academy Award nomination. In 2006 he appeared as Irish mobster Frank Costello in [Martin Scorsese](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Martin-Scorsese)’s *[The Departed](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/The-Departed)*.\n\nNicholson continued his success in comedic roles when he starred as an over-the-top psychiatrist in *[Anger Management](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Anger-Management)* (2003) and as an aging playboy who falls in love with a playwright (played by [Diane Keaton](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Diane-Keaton)) in *[Something’s Gotta Give](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Somethings-Gotta-Give)* (2004). In *[The Bucket List](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/The-Bucket-List)* (2007) Nicholson and [Morgan Freeman](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Morgan-Freeman) portray two terminally ill men who escape a hospital ward so they can accomplish everything they want to do before dying. He later appeared as an [irascible](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/irascible) father in the [romantic comedy](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/art\/romantic-comedy-film) *[How Do You Know](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/How-Do-You-Know)* (2010), his fourth collaboration with director [James L. Brooks](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/James-L-Brooks).\n\nQuick Facts\n\nOriginal name:\n\nJohn Joseph Nicholson\n\nAwards And Honors:\n\n[Kennedy Center Honors (2001)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Kennedy-Center-Honors)\n\n[Academy Award (1998)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/art\/Academy-Award)\n\n[Grammy Award (1987)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/art\/Grammy-Award)\n\n[Academy Award (1984)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/art\/Academy-Award)\n\n[Academy Award (1976)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/art\/Academy-Award)\n\nAcademy Award (1998): Actor in a Leading Role\n\nAcademy Award (1984): Actor in a Supporting Role\n\nAcademy Award (1976): Actor in a Leading Role\n\nCecil B. DeMille Award (1999)\n\nGolden Globe Award (2003): Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama\n\nGolden Globe Award (1998): Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy\n\nGolden Globe Award (1986): Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy\n\nGolden Globe Award (1984): Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture\n\nGolden Globe Award (1976): Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama\n\nGolden Globe Award (1975): Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama\n\nGrammy Award (1988): Best Recording for Children\n\nMarried To:\n\nSandra Knight (1962–1968)\n\nMovies\/Tv Shows (Acted In):\n\n\"The Shooting\" (1966)\n\n\"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest\" (1975)\n\n\"Hoffa\" (1992)\n\n\"On a Clear Day You Can See Forever\" (1970)\n\n\"I'm Still Here\" (2010)\n\n\"The Fortune\" (1975)\n\n\"Batman\" (1989)\n\n\"Psych-Out\" (1968)\n\n\"The Little Shop of Horrors\" (1960)\n\n\"Ironweed\" (1987)\n\n\"The Shining\" (1980)\n\n\"The Missouri Breaks\" (1976)\n\n\"The King of Marvin Gardens\" (1972)\n\n\"The Guns of Will Sonnett\" (1967)\n\n\"Prizzi's Honor\" (1985)\n\n\"Anger Management\" (2003)\n\n\"About Schmidt\" (2002)\n\n\"The Two Jakes\" (1990)\n\n\"Mars Attacks!\" (1996)\n\n\"Tales of Wells Fargo\" (1961)\n\n\"A Few Good Men\" (1992)\n\n\"How Do You Know\" (2010)\n\n\"Mr. Lucky\" (1960)\n\n\"The Rebel Rousers\" (1970)\n\n\"The Wild Ride\" (1960)\n\n\"Something's Gotta Give\" (2003)\n\n\"The Broken Land\" (1962)\n\n\"Studs Lonigan\" (1960)\n\n\"Bronco\" (1961)\n\n\"The Last Tycoon\" (1976)\n\n\"The Cry Baby Killer\" (1958)\n\n\"Reds\" (1981)\n\n\"Chinatown\" (1974)\n\n\"Matinee Theatre\" (1956)\n\n\"The Witches of Eastwick\" (1987)\n\n\"Wolf\" (1994)\n\n\"The Raven\" (1963)\n\n\"Sea Hunt\" (1961)\n\n\"Terms of Endearment\" (1983)\n\n\"The Departed\" (2006)\n\n\"The Border\" (1982)\n\n\"The Bucket List\" (2007)\n\n\"The Evening Star\" (1996)\n\n\"Back Door to Hell\" (1964)\n\n\"The Barbara Stanwyck Show\" (1960)\n\n\"As Good as It Gets\" (1997)\n\n\"Broadcast News\" (1987)\n\n\"The Pledge\" (2001)\n\n\"Carnal Knowledge\" (1971)\n\n\"A Safe Place\" (1971)\n\n\"The Last Detail\" (1973)\n\n\"Easy Rider\" (1969)\n\n\"Professione: reporter\" (1975)\n\n\"The Andy Griffith Show\" (1966–1967)\n\n\"The Crossing Guard\" (1995)\n\n\"The Terror\" (1963)\n\n\"Flight to Fury\" (1964)\n\n\"Five Easy Pieces\" (1970)\n\n\"The Postman Always Rings Twice\" (1981)\n\n\"Dr. Kildare\" (1966)\n\n\"Ensign Pulver\" (1964)\n\n\"Goin' South\" (1978)\n\n\"Too Soon to Love\" (1960)\n\n\"Man Trouble\" (1992)\n\n\"Ride in the Whirlwind\" (1966)\n\n\"Tommy\" (1975)\n\n\"Hells Angels on Wheels\" (1967)\n\n\"Heartburn\" (1986)\n\n\"Hawaiian Eye\" (1962)\n\n\"Blood and Wine\" (1996)\n\nMovies\/Tv Shows (Directed):\n\n\"Drive, He Said\" (1971)\n\n\"The Two Jakes\" (1990)\n\n\"Goin' South\" (1978)\n\nMovies\/Tv Shows (Writing\/Creator):\n\n\"Ride in the Whirlwind\" (1966)\n\n\"Drive, He Said\" (1971)\n\n\"Flight to Fury\" (1964)\n\n\"Thunder Island\" (1963)\n\n\"Head\" (1968)\n\n\"The Trip\" (1967)\n\nAlthough Nicholson’s widely imitated trademarks of a devilish smile and a slow, detached speaking style remained constant throughout the years, his screen persona mellowed in its [metamorphosis](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/metamorphosis) from iconoclastic leading man to mainstream character actor, and his roles of later years reflect in many ways the maturation of his generation. As he entered his later years, he often played men with a youthful rebellious streak but who have also learned the value of sensitivity. Nicholson was awarded the [American Film Institute](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/American-Film-Institute)’s Life Achievement Award in 1994.\n\nThis article was most recently revised and updated by [Will Gosner](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/editor\/will-gosner\/9852049).","meta_canonical":null}

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Meta Description	Other articles where The Shining is discussed: Stanley Kubrick: Films of the 1970s of Stanley Kubrick: …King’s updated gothic horror novel The Shining. Jack Nicholson played a writer who becomes increasingly deranged and eventually turns upon his wife and young son while acting as the winter caretaker of an isolated hotel. The Shining (1980) earned what had come to be the usual mixed critical reception for…
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Boilerpipe Text	News • Top Questions Who is Jack Nicholson? What is Jack Nicholson best known for? What are some famous movies Jack Nicholson has acted in? What awards has Jack Nicholson won during his career? How has Jack Nicholson influenced American cinema? What are some unique traits or styles that make Jack Nicholson’s acting stand out? Jack Nicholson (born April 22, 1937, Neptune, New Jersey , U.S.) is one of the most prominent American motion-picture actors of his generation, especially noted for his versatile portrayals of unconventional, alienated outsiders. Early life and career Nicholson, whose father abandoned his family, grew up believing that his grandmother was his mother and that his mother was his older sister; it was not until he had attained fame that Nicholson himself learned the truth. After graduating from high school , he moved to California , where he took an office job in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer ’s animation department. During the years 1957–58 he performed on stage with the Players Ring Theater in Los Angeles and landed some small roles on television . About this time he met B-film king Roger Corman , who offered him the leading role in his low-budget film The Cry Baby Killer (1958). Nicholson spent the next decade playing major roles in B-films (including several more for Corman), occasional supporting roles in A-films (such as Ensign Pulver , 1964), and guest roles on such television series as The Andy Griffith Show . He also dabbled in screenwriting, with his best-known credits being Corman’s LSD -hallucination film The Trip (1967) and the surrealistic romp Head (1968), a box-office failure starring the Monkees that has since attracted a cult following. Stardom: Easy Rider , Five Easy Pieces , and One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest Nicholson’s big break finally came with Easy Rider (1969), a seminal counterculture film starring Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper as drifting, drug-dealing bikers and Nicholson in a scene-stealing, Oscar-nominated supporting performance as an alcoholic lawyer. Nicholson’s newfound stardom was secured with his leading role in Five Easy Pieces (1970), an episodic, existentialist drama and a major entry in Hollywood ’s “art film” movement of the early 1970s. Nicholson’s portrayal of a man alienated from his family, friends, career, and lovers garnered him an Oscar nomination for best actor. His next successful film, director Mike Nichols ’s Carnal Knowledge (1971), was a darkly humorous condemnation of male sexual mores; it was perhaps mainstream Hollywood’s most sexually explicit film to date. Nicholson’s performance as an emotionally empty, predatory chauvinist showcased his talent for interjecting humor into serious situations as a means to underscore inherent irony—typically, his darkest characters are wickedly funny. Britannica Quiz Best Picture Movie Quote Quiz Chinatown John Huston (left) and Jack Nicholson in Chinatown (1974), directed by Roman Polanski. Nicholson earned another Oscar nomination for The Last Detail (1973), in which he portrayed a rowdy military police officer who reluctantly escorts a young sailor to military prison. He next starred in Roman Polanski ’s Chinatown (1974), an homage to the film noir detective films of the 1940s and a widely acknowledged cinematic masterpiece. Nicholson’s brilliant performance as stylish private eye Jake Gittes, who realizes too late his impotence in the face of wealth and corruption, earned him a fourth Oscar nomination. The actor capped this highly successful period with his first Oscar win, for One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975), in which his iconoclastic, free-spirited characterization of mental institution inmate R.P. McMurphy serves as a metaphor for the hopelessness of rebellion against established authority. Other notable Nicholson films from this period include Michelangelo Antonioni ’s Professione: reporter (1975; The Passenger ), in which Nicholson portrays a depressed reporter who assumes a dead man’s identity, and Tommy (1975), director Ken Russell ’s garish production of the Who ’s rock opera, featuring Nicholson in a supporting singing role as the title character’s doctor. The Shining , Terms of Endearment , and As Good as It Gets The Shining Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall in The Shining (1980), directed by Stanley Kubrick. The film was adapted from Stephen King's novel, published in 1977. His stardom assured, Nicholson worked sporadically during the next few years. He costarred with Marlon Brando in the Arthur Penn western The Missouri Breaks (1976), an uneven yet compellingly quirky film; and he directed and starred in another revisionist western, Goin’ South (1978). His next notable role was in director Stanley Kubrick ’s The Shining (1980); an adaptation of the Stephen King novel, it is a film over which critical opinion remains divided but the one with Nicholson’s ax-wielding rampage—culminating in his demonic cry of “Heeeere’s Johnny!”—that became one of the indelible cinematic images of the era. Nicholson appeared in several quality films during the 1980s, garnering further Academy Award nominations for Reds (1981), Prizzi’s Honor (1985), and Ironweed (1987) and winning a best supporting actor Oscar for his role as a drunken-but-decent ex- astronaut in Terms of Endearment (1983). Two of his most popular performances of the decade came in The Witches of Eastwick (1987) and Batman (1989), which featured Nicholson’s over-the-top comic turns as the Devil and the Joker , respectively. As Good As It Gets (From left to right) Helen Hunt, Jack Nicholson, and Greg Kinnear in As Good As It Gets (1997). By the 1990s Nicholson was regarded as a screen icon. He began the decade by directing and starring in The Two Jakes (1990), a sequel to Chinatown that generated lukewarm reviews. Better-received were Hoffa (1992), in which he portrayed the controversial Teamsters boss Jimmy Hoffa , and A Few Good Men (1992), in which his supporting performance as a dyspeptic marine colonel earned him his 10th Oscar nomination, an all-time record for a male actor. His 11th nomination, for his portrayal of a misanthropic writer in As Good as It Gets (1997), resulted in Nicholson’s third Oscar (his second for best actor). Go beyond the basics with trusted, in-depth knowledge for professionals, students, and lifelong learners. SUBSCRIBE Later work The Departed Leonardo DiCaprio (left) and Jack Nicholson in The Departed (2006). At the beginning of the 21st century, Nicholson continued to star in dramatic roles. After playing a world-weary former cop in Sean Penn ’s The Pledge (2001), he scored another personal triumph with his much-lauded performance as the title character in Alexander Payne ’s About Schmidt (2002), a movie about a retired widower seeking to mend his relationship with his daughter. Nicholson’s understated acting in the melancholic comedy earned him a 12th Academy Award nomination. In 2006 he appeared as Irish mobster Frank Costello in Martin Scorsese ’s The Departed . Nicholson continued his success in comedic roles when he starred as an over-the-top psychiatrist in Anger Management (2003) and as an aging playboy who falls in love with a playwright (played by Diane Keaton ) in Something’s Gotta Give (2004). In The Bucket List (2007) Nicholson and Morgan Freeman portray two terminally ill men who escape a hospital ward so they can accomplish everything they want to do before dying. He later appeared as an irascible father in the romantic comedy How Do You Know (2010), his fourth collaboration with director James L. Brooks . Quick Facts Original name: John Joseph Nicholson Awards And Honors: Kennedy Center Honors (2001) Academy Award (1998) Grammy Award (1987) Academy Award (1984) Academy Award (1976) Academy Award (1998): Actor in a Leading Role Academy Award (1984): Actor in a Supporting Role Academy Award (1976): Actor in a Leading Role Cecil B. DeMille Award (1999) Golden Globe Award (2003): Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama Golden Globe Award (1998): Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy Golden Globe Award (1986): Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy Golden Globe Award (1984): Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture Golden Globe Award (1976): Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama Golden Globe Award (1975): Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama Grammy Award (1988): Best Recording for Children Married To: Sandra Knight (1962–1968) Movies/Tv Shows (Acted In): "The Shooting" (1966) "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1975) "Hoffa" (1992) "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever" (1970) "I'm Still Here" (2010) "The Fortune" (1975) "Batman" (1989) "Psych-Out" (1968) "The Little Shop of Horrors" (1960) "Ironweed" (1987) "The Shining" (1980) "The Missouri Breaks" (1976) "The King of Marvin Gardens" (1972) "The Guns of Will Sonnett" (1967) "Prizzi's Honor" (1985) "Anger Management" (2003) "About Schmidt" (2002) "The Two Jakes" (1990) "Mars Attacks!" (1996) "Tales of Wells Fargo" (1961) "A Few Good Men" (1992) "How Do You Know" (2010) "Mr. Lucky" (1960) "The Rebel Rousers" (1970) "The Wild Ride" (1960) "Something's Gotta Give" (2003) "The Broken Land" (1962) "Studs Lonigan" (1960) "Bronco" (1961) "The Last Tycoon" (1976) "The Cry Baby Killer" (1958) "Reds" (1981) "Chinatown" (1974) "Matinee Theatre" (1956) "The Witches of Eastwick" (1987) "Wolf" (1994) "The Raven" (1963) "Sea Hunt" (1961) "Terms of Endearment" (1983) "The Departed" (2006) "The Border" (1982) "The Bucket List" (2007) "The Evening Star" (1996) "Back Door to Hell" (1964) "The Barbara Stanwyck Show" (1960) "As Good as It Gets" (1997) "Broadcast News" (1987) "The Pledge" (2001) "Carnal Knowledge" (1971) "A Safe Place" (1971) "The Last Detail" (1973) "Easy Rider" (1969) "Professione: reporter" (1975) "The Andy Griffith Show" (1966–1967) "The Crossing Guard" (1995) "The Terror" (1963) "Flight to Fury" (1964) "Five Easy Pieces" (1970) "The Postman Always Rings Twice" (1981) "Dr. Kildare" (1966) "Ensign Pulver" (1964) "Goin' South" (1978) "Too Soon to Love" (1960) "Man Trouble" (1992) "Ride in the Whirlwind" (1966) "Tommy" (1975) "Hells Angels on Wheels" (1967) "Heartburn" (1986) "Hawaiian Eye" (1962) "Blood and Wine" (1996) Movies/Tv Shows (Directed): "Drive, He Said" (1971) "The Two Jakes" (1990) "Goin' South" (1978) Movies/Tv Shows (Writing/Creator): "Ride in the Whirlwind" (1966) "Drive, He Said" (1971) "Flight to Fury" (1964) "Thunder Island" (1963) "Head" (1968) "The Trip" (1967) Although Nicholson’s widely imitated trademarks of a devilish smile and a slow, detached speaking style remained constant throughout the years, his screen persona mellowed in its metamorphosis from iconoclastic leading man to mainstream character actor, and his roles of later years reflect in many ways the maturation of his generation. As he entered his later years, he often played men with a youthful rebellious streak but who have also learned the value of sensitivity. Nicholson was awarded the American Film Institute ’s Life Achievement Award in 1994. This article was most recently revised and updated by Will Gosner .
Markdown	[![Encyclopedia Britannica](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel/eb-logo/MendelNewThistleLogo.png)](https://www.britannica.com/) [![Encyclopedia Britannica](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel/eb-logo/MendelNewThistleLogo.png)](https://www.britannica.com/) [SUBSCRIBE](https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=global-nav&utm_campaign=blue-evergreen) [SUBSCRIBE](https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=global-nav-mobile&utm_campaign=blue-evergreen) Login https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm\_source=premium\&utm\_medium=nav-login-box\&utm\_campaign=evergreen [SUBSCRIBE](https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=hamburger-menu&utm_campaign=blue) [Ask the Chatbot](https://www.britannica.com/chatbot) [Games & Quizzes](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/browse) [History & Society](https://www.britannica.com/History-Society) [Science & Tech](https://www.britannica.com/Science-Tech) [Biographies](https://www.britannica.com/Biographies) [Animals & Nature](https://www.britannica.com/Animals-Nature) [Geography & Travel](https://www.britannica.com/Geography-Travel) [Arts & Culture](https://www.britannica.com/Arts-Culture) [ProCon](https://www.britannica.com/procon) [Money](https://www.britannica.com/money) [Videos](https://www.britannica.com/videos) [The Shining](https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Shining-film-by-Kubrick) [References](https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Shining-film-by-Kubrick) [Images](https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Shining-film-by-Kubrick/images-videos) [![The Shining](https://cdn.britannica.com/19/177219-004-44FD6E40/Jack-Nicholson-The-Shining-Shelley-Duvall-Stanley.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/19/177219-050-907DD0E7/Jack-Nicholson-The-Shining-Shelley-Duvall-Stanley.jpg) ![Britannica AI Icon](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-179/images/chatbot/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9) Contents Ask Anything # The Shining film by Kubrick \[1980\] Homework Help ![Britannica AI Icon](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-179/images/chatbot/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9) Britannica AI Ask Anything ## Learn about this topic in these articles: ### discussed in biography - ![Stanley Kubrick](https://cdn.britannica.com/20/177220-050-05241222/Stanley-Kubrick-filming-Barry-Lyndon.jpg?w=300) In [Stanley Kubrick: Films of the 1970s of Stanley Kubrick](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Stanley-Kubrick/Films-of-the-1970s#ref935529:~:text=King%E2%80%99s%20updated%20gothic%20horror%20novel%20The%20Shining.%20Jack%20Nicholson%20played%20a%20writer%20who%20becomes%20increasingly%20deranged%20and%20eventually%20turns%20upon%20his%20wife%20and%20young%20son%20while%20acting%20as%20the%20winter%20caretaker%20of%20an%20isolated%20hotel.%20The%20Shining%20%281980%29%20earned%20what%20had%20come%20to%20be%20the%20usual%20mixed%20critical%20reception%20for) …King’s updated gothic horror novel The Shining. Jack Nicholson played a writer who becomes increasingly deranged and eventually turns upon his wife and young son while acting as the winter caretaker of an isolated hotel. The Shining (1980) earned what had come to be the usual mixed critical reception for… [Read More](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Stanley-Kubrick/Films-of-the-1970s#ref935529:~:text=King%E2%80%99s%20updated%20gothic%20horror%20novel%20The%20Shining.%20Jack%20Nicholson%20played%20a%20writer%20who%20becomes%20increasingly%20deranged%20and%20eventually%20turns%20upon%20his%20wife%20and%20young%20son%20while%20acting%20as%20the%20winter%20caretaker%20of%20an%20isolated%20hotel.%20The%20Shining%20%281980%29%20earned%20what%20had%20come%20to%20be%20the%20usual%20mixed%20critical%20reception%20for) ### Nicholson’s role - ![Chinatown](https://cdn.britannica.com/44/90544-050-8848B042/Jack-Nicholson-Chinatown-Roman-Polanski.jpg?w=300) In [Jack Nicholson: The Shining, Terms of Endearment, and As Good as It Gets](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jack-Nicholson#ref749899:~:text=was%20in%20director%20Stanley%20Kubrick%E2%80%99s%20The%20Shining%20%281980%29%3B%20an%20adaptation%20of%20the%20Stephen%20King%20novel%2C%20it%20is%20a%20film%20over%20which%20critical%20opinion%20remains%20divided%20but%20the%20one%20with%20Nicholson%E2%80%99s%20ax-wielding%20rampage%E2%80%94culminating%20in%20his%20demonic%20cry%20of%20%E2%80%9CHeeeere%E2%80%99s%20Johnny%21%E2%80%9D%E2%80%94that%20became%20one%20of%20the%20indelible%20cinematic%20images%20of%20the%20era.) …was in director Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining (1980); an adaptation of the Stephen King novel, it is a film over which critical opinion remains divided but the one with Nicholson’s ax-wielding rampage—culminating in his demonic cry of “Heeeere’s Johnny!”—that became one of the indelible cinematic images of the era. [Read More](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jack-Nicholson#ref749899:~:text=was%20in%20director%20Stanley%20Kubrick%E2%80%99s%20The%20Shining%20%281980%29%3B%20an%20adaptation%20of%20the%20Stephen%20King%20novel%2C%20it%20is%20a%20film%20over%20which%20critical%20opinion%20remains%20divided%20but%20the%20one%20with%20Nicholson%E2%80%99s%20ax-wielding%20rampage%E2%80%94culminating%20in%20his%20demonic%20cry%20of%20%E2%80%9CHeeeere%E2%80%99s%20Johnny%21%E2%80%9D%E2%80%94that%20became%20one%20of%20the%20indelible%20cinematic%20images%20of%20the%20era.) ### novel by King - ![The master of chills and suspense](https://cdn.britannica.com/20/217720-050-857D712B/American-novelist-Stephen-King-2004.jpg?w=300) In [Stephen King: Other novels](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Stephen-King#ref1275702:~:text=and%202004%29%3B%20The%20Shining%20%281977%3B%20film%201980%3B%20TV%20miniseries%201997%29%3B%20The%20Stand%20%281978%3B%20TV%20miniseries%201994%20and%202020%E2%80%9321%29%3B%20and%20The%20Dead%20Zone%20%281979%3B%20film%201983%3B%20TV%20series%202002%E2%80%9307%29.%20The%20Shining%2C%20a%20horror%20novel%20set%20in%20a%20haunted%20Colorado%20hotel%20in%20the%20winter%20offseason%2C%20was%20inspired%20by%20King%E2%80%99s%20one-night%20stay%20in) and 2004); The Shining (1977; film 1980; TV miniseries 1997); The Stand (1978; TV miniseries 1994 and 2020–21); and The Dead Zone (1979; film 1983; TV series 2002–07). The Shining, a horror novel set in a haunted Colorado hotel in the winter offseason, was inspired by King’s one-night stay in… [Read More](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Stephen-King#ref1275702:~:text=and%202004%29%3B%20The%20Shining%20%281977%3B%20film%201980%3B%20TV%20miniseries%201997%29%3B%20The%20Stand%20%281978%3B%20TV%20miniseries%201994%20and%202020%E2%80%9321%29%3B%20and%20The%20Dead%20Zone%20%281979%3B%20film%201983%3B%20TV%20series%202002%E2%80%9307%29.%20The%20Shining%2C%20a%20horror%20novel%20set%20in%20a%20haunted%20Colorado%20hotel%20in%20the%20winter%20offseason%2C%20was%20inspired%20by%20King%E2%80%99s%20one-night%20stay%20in) - ![The Shining](https://cdn.britannica.com/19/177219-050-907DD0E7/Jack-Nicholson-The-Shining-Shelley-Duvall-Stanley.jpg?w=300) In [The Shining: Adaptations](https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Shining-novel-by-King#ref1275743:~:text=Stanley%20Kubrick%E2%80%99s%201980%20film%2C%20starring%20Jack%20Nicholson%20as%20Jack%20Torrance%20and%20Shelley%20Duvall%20as%20Wendy%2C%20is%20the%20most%20famous%20adaptation%20of%20King%E2%80%99s%20novel.%20It%20was%20one%20of%20Kubrick%E2%80%99s%20many%20film%20adaptations%20of%20books.%20Kubrick%E2%80%99s%20vision%20for%20the%20film%20differed%20significantly%20from%20King%E2%80%99s%3B%20in%20fact%2C%20Kubrick%20rejected%20the%20screenplay) Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film, starring Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance and Shelley Duvall as Wendy, is the most famous adaptation of King’s novel. It was one of Kubrick’s many film adaptations of books. Kubrick’s vision for the film differed significantly from King’s; in fact, Kubrick rejected the screenplay… [Read More](https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Shining-novel-by-King#ref1275743:~:text=Stanley%20Kubrick%E2%80%99s%201980%20film%2C%20starring%20Jack%20Nicholson%20as%20Jack%20Torrance%20and%20Shelley%20Duvall%20as%20Wendy%2C%20is%20the%20most%20famous%20adaptation%20of%20King%E2%80%99s%20novel.%20It%20was%20one%20of%20Kubrick%E2%80%99s%20many%20film%20adaptations%20of%20books.%20Kubrick%E2%80%99s%20vision%20for%20the%20film%20differed%20significantly%20from%20King%E2%80%99s%3B%20in%20fact%2C%20Kubrick%20rejected%20the%20screenplay) ### screenplay by Johnson - In [Diane Johnson](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Diane-Johnson#ref1302021:~:text=She%20also%20wrote%20screenplays%2C%20including%20The%20Shining%20%281980%3B%20with%20Stanley%20Kubrick%29%3B%20a%20collection%20of%20essays%2C%20Terrorists%20and%20Novelists%20%281982%29%3B%20and%20Into%20a%20Paris%20Quartier%20%282005%29%2C%20about%20Paris%E2%80%99s%20Saint-Germain-des-Pr%C3%A9s%20neighbourhood.%20The%20memoir%20Flyover%20Lives%20was%20published%20in%202014.) She also wrote screenplays, including The Shining (1980; with Stanley Kubrick); a collection of essays, Terrorists and Novelists (1982); and Into a Paris Quartier (2005), about Paris’s Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighbourhood. The memoir Flyover Lives was published in 2014. [Read More](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Diane-Johnson#ref1302021:~:text=She%20also%20wrote%20screenplays%2C%20including%20The%20Shining%20%281980%3B%20with%20Stanley%20Kubrick%29%3B%20a%20collection%20of%20essays%2C%20Terrorists%20and%20Novelists%20%281982%29%3B%20and%20Into%20a%20Paris%20Quartier%20%282005%29%2C%20about%20Paris%E2%80%99s%20Saint-Germain-des-Pr%C3%A9s%20neighbourhood.%20The%20memoir%20Flyover%20Lives%20was%20published%20in%202014.) ![Britannica AI Icon](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-179/images/chatbot/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9)Britannica AI chevron\_right The Shining close [AI-generated answers](https://www.britannica.com/about-britannica-ai) from Britannica articles. AI makes mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. [Jack Nicholson](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jack-Nicholson) - [Introduction](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jack-Nicholson) - [Early life and career](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jack-Nicholson#ref327840) - [Stardom: Easy Rider, Five Easy Pieces, and One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jack-Nicholson#ref327841) - [The Shining, Terms of Endearment, and As Good as It Gets](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jack-Nicholson#ref327842) - [Later work](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jack-Nicholson#ref327843) [References & Edit History](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jack-Nicholson/additional-info) [Quick Facts & Related Topics](https://www.britannica.com/facts/Jack-Nicholson) [Images](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jack-Nicholson/images-videos) [![Chinatown](https://cdn.britannica.com/44/90544-004-128EF4D3/Jack-Nicholson-Chinatown-Roman-Polanski.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/44/90544-050-8848B042/Jack-Nicholson-Chinatown-Roman-Polanski.jpg) [![Easy Rider](https://cdn.britannica.com/00/176000-004-C3E26657/Dennis-Hopper-Peter-Fonda-Jack-Nicholson-Easy.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/00/176000-050-94B43894/Dennis-Hopper-Peter-Fonda-Jack-Nicholson-Easy.jpg) [![Five Easy Pieces](https://cdn.britannica.com/41/177641-004-B774E8FC/Jack-Nicholson-Five-Easy-Pieces-Bob-Rafelson.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/41/177641-050-5ACD88E2/Jack-Nicholson-Five-Easy-Pieces-Bob-Rafelson.jpg) [![Scene from Carnal Knowledge](https://cdn.britannica.com/26/90526-004-BB93B4A0/Jack-Nicholson-Art-Garfunkel-Carol-Kane-Carnal.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/26/90526-050-82148E68/Jack-Nicholson-Art-Garfunkel-Carol-Kane-Carnal.jpg) [![Chinatown](https://cdn.britannica.com/45/177145-004-E2093C2D/John-Huston-Chinatown-Jack-Nicholson-Roman-Polanski.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/45/177145-050-E4CC92B8/John-Huston-Chinatown-Jack-Nicholson-Roman-Polanski.jpg) [![The Shining](https://cdn.britannica.com/19/177219-004-44FD6E40/Jack-Nicholson-The-Shining-Shelley-Duvall-Stanley.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/19/177219-050-907DD0E7/Jack-Nicholson-The-Shining-Shelley-Duvall-Stanley.jpg) [![Terms of Endearment](https://cdn.britannica.com/62/77162-004-3E9174EE/Jack-Nicholson-Shirley-MacLaine-Terms-of-Endearment.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/62/77162-050-312FFA4F/Jack-Nicholson-Shirley-MacLaine-Terms-of-Endearment.jpg) [![As Good As It Gets](https://cdn.britannica.com/12/77312-004-FDABCCA5/Helen-Hunt-Jack-Nicholson-As-Good-It.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/12/77312-050-0A3C54D0/Helen-Hunt-Jack-Nicholson-As-Good-It.jpg) [![The Departed](https://cdn.britannica.com/90/99190-004-61249490/Leonardo-DiCaprio-The-Departed-Jack-Nicholson-Martin.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/90/99190-050-A68AC8B1/Leonardo-DiCaprio-The-Departed-Jack-Nicholson-Martin.jpg) [![Something's Gotta Give](https://cdn.britannica.com/78/191378-004-F7C1F326/Diane-Keaton-Something-Jack-Nicholson-Gotta-Give.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/78/191378-050-CC606B7C/Diane-Keaton-Something-Jack-Nicholson-Gotta-Give.jpg) At a Glance [![default image](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-179/images/shared/new-thistle.svg?v=3.179.9)](https://www.britannica.com/summary/Jack-Nicholson) [Jack Nicholson summary](https://www.britannica.com/summary/Jack-Nicholson) Quizzes [![Empty movie theater and blank screen (theatre, motion pictures, cinema).](https://cdn.britannica.com/23/114923-131-785286EA/projection-screen-movie-theater-cinema.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/oscar-worthy-movie-trivia) [Oscar-Worthy Movie Trivia](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/oscar-worthy-movie-trivia) [![Publicity still with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman from the motion picture film "Casablanca" (1942); directed by Michael Curtiz. (cinema, movies)](https://cdn.britannica.com/14/240414-131-1042720D/Casablanca-film.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/best-picture-movie-quote-quiz) [Best Picture Movie Quote Quiz](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/best-picture-movie-quote-quiz) [![USA 2006 - 78th Annual Academy Awards. Closeup of giant Oscar statue at the entrance of the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Hompepage blog 2009, arts and entertainment, film movie hollywood](https://cdn.britannica.com/65/129465-131-8F637272/USA-Annual-Academy-Awards-Closeup-entrance-statue-2009.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/pop-culture-quiz) [Pop Culture Quiz](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/pop-culture-quiz) Related Questions - [What was the cause of death for Sage Stallone?](https://www.britannica.com/question/What-was-the-cause-of-death-for-Sage-Stallone) - [What are Angelina Jolie’s notable movies?](https://www.britannica.com/question/What-are-Angelina-Jolies-notable-movies) - [Who are Angelina Jolie’s children?](https://www.britannica.com/question/Who-are-Angelina-Jolies-children) - [What is Leonardo DiCaprio known for?](https://www.britannica.com/question/What-is-Leonardo-DiCaprio-known-for) - [Has Leonardo DiCaprio won an Academy Award?](https://www.britannica.com/question/Has-Leonardo-DiCaprio-won-an-Academy-Award) ![Britannica AI Icon](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-179/images/chatbot/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9) Ask Anything Quick Summary [Entertainment & Pop Culture](https://www.britannica.com/browse/Entertainment-Pop-Culture) [Movie, TV & Stage Directors](https://www.britannica.com/browse/Movie-TV-Stage-Directors) CITE Share Feedback External Websites [![Chinatown](https://cdn.britannica.com/44/90544-050-8848B042/Jack-Nicholson-Chinatown-Roman-Polanski.jpg?w=400&h=300&c=crop)](https://cdn.britannica.com/44/90544-050-8848B042/Jack-Nicholson-Chinatown-Roman-Polanski.jpg) [Chinatown](https://cdn.britannica.com/44/90544-050-8848B042/Jack-Nicholson-Chinatown-Roman-Polanski.jpg) Jack Nicholson in Chinatown (1974). (more) # Jack Nicholson American actor Homework Help Also known as: John Joseph Nicholson Written and fact-checked by [Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....](https://www.britannica.com/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419) Britannica Editors Last updated Mar. 2, 2026 •[History](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jack-Nicholson/additional-info#history) ![Britannica AI Icon](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-179/images/chatbot/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9) Britannica AI Ask Anything Quick Summary Table of Contents Table of Contents Quick Summary Ask Anything ## News • [Sean Penn Absent From 2026 Oscars](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/sean-penn-skips-2026-oscars-1236533826/) • Mar. 15, 2026, 10:07 PM ET (The Hollywood Reporter) ...(Show more) [Sean Penn Ties All-Time Record for Male Acting Wins at Oscars 2026](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/sean-penn-ties-male-acting-wins-record-oscars-2026-1236533190/) • Mar. 15, 2026, 8:28 PM ET (The Hollywood Reporter) Show less Top Questions - Who is Jack Nicholson? - What is Jack Nicholson best known for? - What are some famous movies Jack Nicholson has acted in? - What awards has Jack Nicholson won during his career? - How has Jack Nicholson influenced American cinema? - What are some unique traits or styles that make Jack Nicholson’s acting stand out? Show more Show less Jack Nicholson (born April 22, 1937, Neptune, [New Jersey](https://www.britannica.com/place/New-Jersey), U.S.) is one of the most prominent American motion-picture actors of his generation, especially noted for his [versatile](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/versatile) portrayals of unconventional, alienated outsiders. ## Early life and career Nicholson, whose father abandoned his family, grew up believing that his grandmother was his mother and that his mother was his older sister; it was not until he had attained fame that Nicholson himself learned the truth. After graduating from [high school](https://www.britannica.com/topic/high-school), he moved to [California](https://www.britannica.com/place/California-state), where he took an office job in [Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer](https://www.britannica.com/money/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer-Inc)’s animation department. During the years 1957–58 he performed on stage with the Players Ring Theater in [Los Angeles](https://www.britannica.com/place/Los-Angeles-California) and landed some small roles on [television](https://www.britannica.com/technology/television-technology). About this time he met [B-film](https://www.britannica.com/art/B-film) king [Roger Corman](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Roger-Corman), who offered him the leading role in his low-budget [film](https://www.britannica.com/art/film) [The Cry Baby Killer](https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Cry-Baby-Killer) (1958). Nicholson spent the next decade playing major roles in B-films (including several more for Corman), occasional supporting roles in A-films (such as [Ensign Pulver](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ensign-Pulver), 1964), and guest roles on such television series as [The Andy Griffith Show](https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Andy-Griffith-Show). He also dabbled in screenwriting, with his best-known credits being Corman’s [LSD](https://www.britannica.com/science/LSD)\-hallucination film [The Trip](https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Trip) (1967) and the surrealistic romp [Head](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Head-film-by-Rafelson) (1968), a box-office failure starring [the Monkees](https://www.britannica.com/topic/the-Monkees-American-music-group) that has since attracted a cult following. ## Stardom: Easy Rider, Five Easy Pieces, and One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest [![Easy Rider](https://cdn.britannica.com/00/176000-050-94B43894/Dennis-Hopper-Peter-Fonda-Jack-Nicholson-Easy.jpg?w=300)1 of 3](https://cdn.britannica.com/00/176000-050-94B43894/Dennis-Hopper-Peter-Fonda-Jack-Nicholson-Easy.jpg) [Easy Rider](https://cdn.britannica.com/00/176000-050-94B43894/Dennis-Hopper-Peter-Fonda-Jack-Nicholson-Easy.jpg)(From left to right) Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda, and Jack Nicholson in Easy Rider (1969), directed by Dennis Hopper. (more) [![Five Easy Pieces](https://cdn.britannica.com/41/177641-050-5ACD88E2/Jack-Nicholson-Five-Easy-Pieces-Bob-Rafelson.jpg?w=300)2 of 3](https://cdn.britannica.com/41/177641-050-5ACD88E2/Jack-Nicholson-Five-Easy-Pieces-Bob-Rafelson.jpg) [Five Easy Pieces](https://cdn.britannica.com/41/177641-050-5ACD88E2/Jack-Nicholson-Five-Easy-Pieces-Bob-Rafelson.jpg)Jack Nicholson (foreground) in Five Easy Pieces (1970), directed by Bob Rafelson. (more) [![Scene from Carnal Knowledge](https://cdn.britannica.com/26/90526-050-82148E68/Jack-Nicholson-Art-Garfunkel-Carol-Kane-Carnal.jpg?w=300)3 of 3](https://cdn.britannica.com/26/90526-050-82148E68/Jack-Nicholson-Art-Garfunkel-Carol-Kane-Carnal.jpg) [Scene from Carnal Knowledge](https://cdn.britannica.com/26/90526-050-82148E68/Jack-Nicholson-Art-Garfunkel-Carol-Kane-Carnal.jpg)(From left) Jack Nicholson, Art Garfunkel, and Carol Kane in Carnal Knowledge (1971). (more) Nicholson’s big break finally came with [Easy Rider](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Easy-Rider) (1969), a [seminal](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seminal) counterculture film starring [Peter Fonda](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Peter-Fonda) and [Dennis Hopper](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Dennis-Hopper) as drifting, drug-dealing bikers and Nicholson in a scene-stealing, Oscar-nominated supporting performance as an alcoholic lawyer. Nicholson’s newfound stardom was secured with his leading role in [Five Easy Pieces](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Five-Easy-Pieces) (1970), an episodic, [existentialist](https://www.britannica.com/topic/existentialism) [drama](https://www.britannica.com/art/theatre-art) and a major entry in [Hollywood](https://www.britannica.com/place/Hollywood-California)’s “art film” movement of the early 1970s. Nicholson’s portrayal of a man alienated from his family, friends, career, and lovers garnered him an Oscar nomination for best actor. His next successful film, director [Mike Nichols](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mike-Nichols)’s [Carnal Knowledge](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Carnal-Knowledge) (1971), was a darkly humorous condemnation of male sexual mores; it was perhaps mainstream Hollywood’s most sexually explicit film to date. Nicholson’s performance as an emotionally empty, predatory chauvinist showcased his talent for interjecting humor into serious situations as a means to underscore [inherent](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inherent) irony—typically, his darkest characters are wickedly funny. [![Publicity still with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman from the motion picture film "Casablanca" (1942); directed by Michael Curtiz. (cinema, movies)](https://cdn.britannica.com/14/240414-131-1042720D/Casablanca-film.jpg) Britannica Quiz Best Picture Movie Quote Quiz](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/best-picture-movie-quote-quiz) [![Chinatown](https://cdn.britannica.com/45/177145-050-E4CC92B8/John-Huston-Chinatown-Jack-Nicholson-Roman-Polanski.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/45/177145-050-E4CC92B8/John-Huston-Chinatown-Jack-Nicholson-Roman-Polanski.jpg) [Chinatown](https://cdn.britannica.com/45/177145-050-E4CC92B8/John-Huston-Chinatown-Jack-Nicholson-Roman-Polanski.jpg)John Huston (left) and Jack Nicholson in Chinatown (1974), directed by Roman Polanski. (more) Nicholson earned another Oscar nomination for [The Last Detail](https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Last-Detail) (1973), in which he portrayed a rowdy [military police](https://www.britannica.com/topic/military-police) officer who reluctantly escorts a young sailor to military prison. He next starred in [Roman Polanski](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Roman-Polanski)’s [Chinatown](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Chinatown-film-by-Polanski) (1974), an homage to the [film noir](https://www.britannica.com/art/film-noir) detective films of the 1940s and a widely acknowledged cinematic masterpiece. Nicholson’s brilliant performance as stylish private eye Jake Gittes, who realizes too late his impotence in the face of wealth and corruption, earned him a fourth Oscar nomination. The actor capped this highly successful period with his first Oscar win, for [One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest](https://www.britannica.com/topic/One-Flew-over-the-Cuckoos-Nest-film-by-Forman) (1975), in which his iconoclastic, free-spirited characterization of mental institution inmate R.P. McMurphy serves as a [metaphor](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metaphor) for the hopelessness of rebellion against established authority. Other notable Nicholson films from this period include [Michelangelo Antonioni](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Michelangelo-Antonioni)’s Professione: reporter (1975; The Passenger), in which Nicholson portrays a depressed reporter who assumes a dead man’s identity, and [Tommy](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Tommy-film-by-Russell) (1975), director [Ken Russell](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ken-Russell)’s garish production of [the Who](https://www.britannica.com/topic/the-Who)’s rock opera, featuring Nicholson in a supporting singing role as the title character’s doctor. ## The Shining, Terms of Endearment, and As Good as It Gets [![The Shining](https://cdn.britannica.com/19/177219-050-907DD0E7/Jack-Nicholson-The-Shining-Shelley-Duvall-Stanley.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/19/177219-050-907DD0E7/Jack-Nicholson-The-Shining-Shelley-Duvall-Stanley.jpg) [The Shining](https://cdn.britannica.com/19/177219-050-907DD0E7/Jack-Nicholson-The-Shining-Shelley-Duvall-Stanley.jpg)Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall in The Shining (1980), directed by Stanley Kubrick. The film was adapted from Stephen King's novel, published in 1977. (more) His stardom assured, Nicholson worked sporadically during the next few years. He costarred with [Marlon Brando](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marlon-Brando) in the [Arthur Penn](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Arthur-Penn) [western](https://www.britannica.com/art/western) [The Missouri Breaks](https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Missouri-Breaks) (1976), an uneven yet compellingly quirky film; and he directed and starred in another revisionist western, Goin’ South (1978). His next notable role was in director [Stanley Kubrick](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Stanley-Kubrick)’s [The Shining](https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Shining-film-by-Kubrick) (1980); an [adaptation](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adaptation) of the [Stephen King](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Stephen-King) novel, it is a film over which critical opinion remains divided but the one with Nicholson’s ax-wielding rampage—culminating in his demonic cry of “Heeeere’s Johnny!”—that became one of the indelible cinematic images of the era. [![Terms of Endearment](https://cdn.britannica.com/62/77162-050-312FFA4F/Jack-Nicholson-Shirley-MacLaine-Terms-of-Endearment.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/62/77162-050-312FFA4F/Jack-Nicholson-Shirley-MacLaine-Terms-of-Endearment.jpg) [Terms of Endearment](https://cdn.britannica.com/62/77162-050-312FFA4F/Jack-Nicholson-Shirley-MacLaine-Terms-of-Endearment.jpg)Jack Nicholson and Shirley MacLaine in Terms of Endearment (1983). (more) Nicholson appeared in several quality films during the 1980s, garnering further Academy Award nominations for Reds (1981), Prizzi’s Honor (1985), and Ironweed (1987) and winning a [best supporting actor Oscar](https://www.britannica.com/art/Academy-Award-for-best-supporting-actor) for his role as a drunken-but-decent ex-[astronaut](https://www.britannica.com/topic/astronaut) in [Terms of Endearment](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Terms-of-Endearment-film-by-Brooks) (1983). Two of his most popular performances of the decade came in The Witches of Eastwick (1987) and Batman (1989), which featured Nicholson’s over-the-top comic turns as [the Devil](https://www.britannica.com/topic/devil) and [the Joker](https://www.britannica.com/topic/the-Joker-fictional-character), respectively. [![As Good As It Gets](https://cdn.britannica.com/12/77312-050-0A3C54D0/Helen-Hunt-Jack-Nicholson-As-Good-It.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/12/77312-050-0A3C54D0/Helen-Hunt-Jack-Nicholson-As-Good-It.jpg) [As Good As It Gets](https://cdn.britannica.com/12/77312-050-0A3C54D0/Helen-Hunt-Jack-Nicholson-As-Good-It.jpg)(From left to right) Helen Hunt, Jack Nicholson, and Greg Kinnear in As Good As It Gets (1997). (more) By the 1990s Nicholson was regarded as a screen icon. He began the decade by [directing](https://www.britannica.com/art/directing) and starring in [The Two Jakes](https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Two-Jakes) (1990), a sequel to Chinatown that generated [lukewarm](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/lukewarm) reviews. Better-received were Hoffa (1992), in which he portrayed the controversial [Teamsters](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Teamsters-Union) boss [Jimmy Hoffa](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jimmy-Hoffa), and [A Few Good Men](https://www.britannica.com/topic/A-Few-Good-Men-film-by-Reiner) (1992), in which his supporting performance as a dyspeptic marine colonel earned him his 10th Oscar nomination, an all-time record for a male actor. His 11th nomination, for his portrayal of a misanthropic writer in [As Good as It Gets](https://www.britannica.com/topic/As-Good-As-It-Gets) (1997), resulted in Nicholson’s third Oscar (his second for best actor). Explore Britannica Premium\! Go beyond the basics with trusted, in-depth knowledge for professionals, students, and lifelong learners. [SUBSCRIBE](https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=basics-2026) ![Penguin, ship, mountain, atlas](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-left.webp) ![shohei ohtani, plants, andy wharhol art](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-right.webp) ![Mobile](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-mobile.webp?w=400) ## Later work [![The Departed](https://cdn.britannica.com/90/99190-050-A68AC8B1/Leonardo-DiCaprio-The-Departed-Jack-Nicholson-Martin.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/90/99190-050-A68AC8B1/Leonardo-DiCaprio-The-Departed-Jack-Nicholson-Martin.jpg) [The Departed](https://cdn.britannica.com/90/99190-050-A68AC8B1/Leonardo-DiCaprio-The-Departed-Jack-Nicholson-Martin.jpg)Leonardo DiCaprio (left) and Jack Nicholson in The Departed (2006). (more) At the beginning of the 21st century, Nicholson continued to star in dramatic roles. After playing a world-weary former cop in [Sean Penn](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sean-Penn)’s [The Pledge](https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Pledge) (2001), he scored another personal [triumph](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/triumph) with his much-lauded performance as the title character in [Alexander Payne](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexander-Payne)’s [About Schmidt](https://www.britannica.com/topic/About-Schmidt) (2002), a movie about a retired widower seeking to mend his relationship with his daughter. Nicholson’s understated [acting](https://www.britannica.com/art/acting) in the melancholic comedy earned him a 12th Academy Award nomination. In 2006 he appeared as Irish mobster Frank Costello in [Martin Scorsese](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Martin-Scorsese)’s [The Departed](https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Departed). Nicholson continued his success in comedic roles when he starred as an over-the-top psychiatrist in [Anger Management](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Anger-Management) (2003) and as an aging playboy who falls in love with a playwright (played by [Diane Keaton](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Diane-Keaton)) in [Something’s Gotta Give](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Somethings-Gotta-Give) (2004). In [The Bucket List](https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Bucket-List) (2007) Nicholson and [Morgan Freeman](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Morgan-Freeman) portray two terminally ill men who escape a hospital ward so they can accomplish everything they want to do before dying. He later appeared as an [irascible](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irascible) father in the [romantic comedy](https://www.britannica.com/art/romantic-comedy-film) [How Do You Know](https://www.britannica.com/topic/How-Do-You-Know) (2010), his fourth collaboration with director [James L. Brooks](https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-L-Brooks). Quick Facts Original name: John Joseph Nicholson (Show more) Born: April 22, 1937, Neptune, [New Jersey](https://www.britannica.com/place/New-Jersey), [U.S.](https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States) (age 88) (Show more) Awards And Honors: [Kennedy Center Honors (2001)](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Kennedy-Center-Honors) [Academy Award (1998)](https://www.britannica.com/art/Academy-Award) [Grammy Award (1987)](https://www.britannica.com/art/Grammy-Award) [Academy Award (1984)](https://www.britannica.com/art/Academy-Award) [Academy Award (1976)](https://www.britannica.com/art/Academy-Award) Academy Award (1998): Actor in a Leading Role Academy Award (1984): Actor in a Supporting Role Academy Award (1976): Actor in a Leading Role Cecil B. DeMille Award (1999) Golden Globe Award (2003): Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama Golden Globe Award (1998): Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy Golden Globe Award (1986): Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy Golden Globe Award (1984): Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture Golden Globe Award (1976): Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama Golden Globe Award (1975): Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama Grammy Award (1988): Best Recording for Children (Show more) Notable Works: [“Goin’ South”](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Goin-South) [“The Two Jakes”](https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Two-Jakes) (Show more) Married To: Sandra Knight (1962–1968) (Show more) Movies/Tv Shows (Acted In): "The Shooting" (1966) "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1975) "Hoffa" (1992) "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever" (1970) "I'm Still Here" (2010) "The Fortune" (1975) "Batman" (1989) "Psych-Out" (1968) "The Little Shop of Horrors" (1960) "Ironweed" (1987) "The Shining" (1980) "The Missouri Breaks" (1976) "The King of Marvin Gardens" (1972) "The Guns of Will Sonnett" (1967) "Prizzi's Honor" (1985) "Anger Management" (2003) "About Schmidt" (2002) "The Two Jakes" (1990) "Mars Attacks!" (1996) "Tales of Wells Fargo" (1961) "A Few Good Men" (1992) "How Do You Know" (2010) "Mr. Lucky" (1960) "The Rebel Rousers" (1970) "The Wild Ride" (1960) "Something's Gotta Give" (2003) "The Broken Land" (1962) "Studs Lonigan" (1960) "Bronco" (1961) "The Last Tycoon" (1976) "The Cry Baby Killer" (1958) "Reds" (1981) "Chinatown" (1974) "Matinee Theatre" (1956) "The Witches of Eastwick" (1987) "Wolf" (1994) "The Raven" (1963) "Sea Hunt" (1961) "Terms of Endearment" (1983) "The Departed" (2006) "The Border" (1982) "The Bucket List" (2007) "The Evening Star" (1996) "Back Door to Hell" (1964) "The Barbara Stanwyck Show" (1960) "As Good as It Gets" (1997) "Broadcast News" (1987) "The Pledge" (2001) "Carnal Knowledge" (1971) "A Safe Place" (1971) "The Last Detail" (1973) "Easy Rider" (1969) "Professione: reporter" (1975) "The Andy Griffith Show" (1966–1967) "The Crossing Guard" (1995) "The Terror" (1963) "Flight to Fury" (1964) "Five Easy Pieces" (1970) "The Postman Always Rings Twice" (1981) "Dr. Kildare" (1966) "Ensign Pulver" (1964) "Goin' South" (1978) "Too Soon to Love" (1960) "Man Trouble" (1992) "Ride in the Whirlwind" (1966) "Tommy" (1975) "Hells Angels on Wheels" (1967) "Heartburn" (1986) "Hawaiian Eye" (1962) "Blood and Wine" (1996) (Show more) Movies/Tv Shows (Directed): "Drive, He Said" (1971) "The Two Jakes" (1990) "Goin' South" (1978) (Show more) Movies/Tv Shows (Writing/Creator): "Ride in the Whirlwind" (1966) "Drive, He Said" (1971) "Flight to Fury" (1964) "Thunder Island" (1963) "Head" (1968) "The Trip" (1967) (Show more) [See all related content](https://www.britannica.com/facts/Jack-Nicholson) Show More Although Nicholson’s widely imitated trademarks of a devilish smile and a slow, detached speaking style remained constant throughout the years, his screen persona mellowed in its [metamorphosis](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metamorphosis) from iconoclastic leading man to mainstream character actor, and his roles of later years reflect in many ways the maturation of his generation. As he entered his later years, he often played men with a youthful rebellious streak but who have also learned the value of sensitivity. Nicholson was awarded the [American Film Institute](https://www.britannica.com/topic/American-Film-Institute)’s Life Achievement Award in 1994. [The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419) This article was most recently revised and updated by [Will Gosner](https://www.britannica.com/editor/will-gosner/9852049). ![Britannica AI Icon](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-179/images/chatbot/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9)Britannica AI chevron\_right Jack Nicholson close [AI-generated answers](https://www.britannica.com/about-britannica-ai) from Britannica articles. AI makes mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. Load Next Page Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. print Print Please select which sections you would like to print: verifiedCite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Select Citation Style Britannica Editors. "Jack Nicholson". Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Mar. 2026, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jack-Nicholson. Accessed 10 April 2026. Copy Citation Share Share to social media [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/) [X](https://x.com/britannica) URL <https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jack-Nicholson> External Websites - [BBC - Film '82: Jack Nicholson interview](https://www.bbc.com/videos/clkmmpr0xkeo) - [Turner Classic Movies - Jack Nicholson](https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/140981\|75990/Jack-Nicholson/#overview) - [NPR - The Truth is Just As Tricky As Jack Nicholson Said It Was](https://www.npr.org/sections/talk/2008/02/the_truth_is_just_as_tricky_as_1.html) - [The Kennedy Center - Jack Nicholson](https://www.kennedy-center.org/artists/n/na-nn/jack-nicholson/) - [Golden Globes - Jack Nicholson](https://goldenglobes.com/person/jack-nicholson/) Britannica Websites Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. - [Jack Nicholson - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)](https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Jack-Nicholson/312715)
Readable Markdown	## News • Top Questions - Who is Jack Nicholson? - What is Jack Nicholson best known for? - What are some famous movies Jack Nicholson has acted in? - What awards has Jack Nicholson won during his career? - How has Jack Nicholson influenced American cinema? - What are some unique traits or styles that make Jack Nicholson’s acting stand out? Jack Nicholson (born April 22, 1937, Neptune, [New Jersey](https://www.britannica.com/place/New-Jersey), U.S.) is one of the most prominent American motion-picture actors of his generation, especially noted for his [versatile](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/versatile) portrayals of unconventional, alienated outsiders. ## Early life and career Nicholson, whose father abandoned his family, grew up believing that his grandmother was his mother and that his mother was his older sister; it was not until he had attained fame that Nicholson himself learned the truth. After graduating from [high school](https://www.britannica.com/topic/high-school), he moved to [California](https://www.britannica.com/place/California-state), where he took an office job in [Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer](https://www.britannica.com/money/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer-Inc)’s animation department. During the years 1957–58 he performed on stage with the Players Ring Theater in [Los Angeles](https://www.britannica.com/place/Los-Angeles-California) and landed some small roles on [television](https://www.britannica.com/technology/television-technology). About this time he met [B-film](https://www.britannica.com/art/B-film) king [Roger Corman](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Roger-Corman), who offered him the leading role in his low-budget [film](https://www.britannica.com/art/film) [The Cry Baby Killer](https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Cry-Baby-Killer) (1958). Nicholson spent the next decade playing major roles in B-films (including several more for Corman), occasional supporting roles in A-films (such as [Ensign Pulver](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ensign-Pulver), 1964), and guest roles on such television series as [The Andy Griffith Show](https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Andy-Griffith-Show). He also dabbled in screenwriting, with his best-known credits being Corman’s [LSD](https://www.britannica.com/science/LSD)\-hallucination film [The Trip](https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Trip) (1967) and the surrealistic romp [Head](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Head-film-by-Rafelson) (1968), a box-office failure starring [the Monkees](https://www.britannica.com/topic/the-Monkees-American-music-group) that has since attracted a cult following. ## Stardom: Easy Rider, Five Easy Pieces, and One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest Nicholson’s big break finally came with [Easy Rider](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Easy-Rider) (1969), a [seminal](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seminal) counterculture film starring [Peter Fonda](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Peter-Fonda) and [Dennis Hopper](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Dennis-Hopper) as drifting, drug-dealing bikers and Nicholson in a scene-stealing, Oscar-nominated supporting performance as an alcoholic lawyer. Nicholson’s newfound stardom was secured with his leading role in [Five Easy Pieces](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Five-Easy-Pieces) (1970), an episodic, [existentialist](https://www.britannica.com/topic/existentialism) [drama](https://www.britannica.com/art/theatre-art) and a major entry in [Hollywood](https://www.britannica.com/place/Hollywood-California)’s “art film” movement of the early 1970s. Nicholson’s portrayal of a man alienated from his family, friends, career, and lovers garnered him an Oscar nomination for best actor. His next successful film, director [Mike Nichols](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mike-Nichols)’s [Carnal Knowledge](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Carnal-Knowledge) (1971), was a darkly humorous condemnation of male sexual mores; it was perhaps mainstream Hollywood’s most sexually explicit film to date. Nicholson’s performance as an emotionally empty, predatory chauvinist showcased his talent for interjecting humor into serious situations as a means to underscore [inherent](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inherent) irony—typically, his darkest characters are wickedly funny. [![Publicity still with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman from the motion picture film "Casablanca" (1942); directed by Michael Curtiz. (cinema, movies)](https://cdn.britannica.com/14/240414-131-1042720D/Casablanca-film.jpg) Britannica Quiz Best Picture Movie Quote Quiz](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/best-picture-movie-quote-quiz) [Chinatown](https://cdn.britannica.com/45/177145-050-E4CC92B8/John-Huston-Chinatown-Jack-Nicholson-Roman-Polanski.jpg)John Huston (left) and Jack Nicholson in Chinatown (1974), directed by Roman Polanski. Nicholson earned another Oscar nomination for [The Last Detail](https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Last-Detail) (1973), in which he portrayed a rowdy [military police](https://www.britannica.com/topic/military-police) officer who reluctantly escorts a young sailor to military prison. He next starred in [Roman Polanski](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Roman-Polanski)’s [Chinatown](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Chinatown-film-by-Polanski) (1974), an homage to the [film noir](https://www.britannica.com/art/film-noir) detective films of the 1940s and a widely acknowledged cinematic masterpiece. Nicholson’s brilliant performance as stylish private eye Jake Gittes, who realizes too late his impotence in the face of wealth and corruption, earned him a fourth Oscar nomination. The actor capped this highly successful period with his first Oscar win, for [One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest](https://www.britannica.com/topic/One-Flew-over-the-Cuckoos-Nest-film-by-Forman) (1975), in which his iconoclastic, free-spirited characterization of mental institution inmate R.P. McMurphy serves as a [metaphor](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metaphor) for the hopelessness of rebellion against established authority. Other notable Nicholson films from this period include [Michelangelo Antonioni](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Michelangelo-Antonioni)’s Professione: reporter (1975; The Passenger), in which Nicholson portrays a depressed reporter who assumes a dead man’s identity, and [Tommy](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Tommy-film-by-Russell) (1975), director [Ken Russell](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ken-Russell)’s garish production of [the Who](https://www.britannica.com/topic/the-Who)’s rock opera, featuring Nicholson in a supporting singing role as the title character’s doctor. ## The Shining, Terms of Endearment, and As Good as It Gets [The Shining](https://cdn.britannica.com/19/177219-050-907DD0E7/Jack-Nicholson-The-Shining-Shelley-Duvall-Stanley.jpg)Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall in The Shining (1980), directed by Stanley Kubrick. The film was adapted from Stephen King's novel, published in 1977. His stardom assured, Nicholson worked sporadically during the next few years. He costarred with [Marlon Brando](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marlon-Brando) in the [Arthur Penn](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Arthur-Penn) [western](https://www.britannica.com/art/western) [The Missouri Breaks](https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Missouri-Breaks) (1976), an uneven yet compellingly quirky film; and he directed and starred in another revisionist western, Goin’ South (1978). His next notable role was in director [Stanley Kubrick](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Stanley-Kubrick)’s [The Shining](https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Shining-film-by-Kubrick) (1980); an [adaptation](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adaptation) of the [Stephen King](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Stephen-King) novel, it is a film over which critical opinion remains divided but the one with Nicholson’s ax-wielding rampage—culminating in his demonic cry of “Heeeere’s Johnny!”—that became one of the indelible cinematic images of the era. Nicholson appeared in several quality films during the 1980s, garnering further Academy Award nominations for Reds (1981), Prizzi’s Honor (1985), and Ironweed (1987) and winning a [best supporting actor Oscar](https://www.britannica.com/art/Academy-Award-for-best-supporting-actor) for his role as a drunken-but-decent ex-[astronaut](https://www.britannica.com/topic/astronaut) in [Terms of Endearment](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Terms-of-Endearment-film-by-Brooks) (1983). Two of his most popular performances of the decade came in The Witches of Eastwick (1987) and Batman (1989), which featured Nicholson’s over-the-top comic turns as [the Devil](https://www.britannica.com/topic/devil) and [the Joker](https://www.britannica.com/topic/the-Joker-fictional-character), respectively. [As Good As It Gets](https://cdn.britannica.com/12/77312-050-0A3C54D0/Helen-Hunt-Jack-Nicholson-As-Good-It.jpg)(From left to right) Helen Hunt, Jack Nicholson, and Greg Kinnear in As Good As It Gets (1997). By the 1990s Nicholson was regarded as a screen icon. He began the decade by [directing](https://www.britannica.com/art/directing) and starring in [The Two Jakes](https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Two-Jakes) (1990), a sequel to Chinatown that generated [lukewarm](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/lukewarm) reviews. Better-received were Hoffa (1992), in which he portrayed the controversial [Teamsters](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Teamsters-Union) boss [Jimmy Hoffa](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jimmy-Hoffa), and [A Few Good Men](https://www.britannica.com/topic/A-Few-Good-Men-film-by-Reiner) (1992), in which his supporting performance as a dyspeptic marine colonel earned him his 10th Oscar nomination, an all-time record for a male actor. His 11th nomination, for his portrayal of a misanthropic writer in [As Good as It Gets](https://www.britannica.com/topic/As-Good-As-It-Gets) (1997), resulted in Nicholson’s third Oscar (his second for best actor). Go beyond the basics with trusted, in-depth knowledge for professionals, students, and lifelong learners. [SUBSCRIBE](https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=basics-2026) ![Penguin, ship, mountain, atlas](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-left.webp) ![shohei ohtani, plants, andy wharhol art](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-right.webp) ![Mobile](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-mobile.webp?w=400) ## Later work [The Departed](https://cdn.britannica.com/90/99190-050-A68AC8B1/Leonardo-DiCaprio-The-Departed-Jack-Nicholson-Martin.jpg)Leonardo DiCaprio (left) and Jack Nicholson in The Departed (2006). At the beginning of the 21st century, Nicholson continued to star in dramatic roles. After playing a world-weary former cop in [Sean Penn](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sean-Penn)’s [The Pledge](https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Pledge) (2001), he scored another personal [triumph](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/triumph) with his much-lauded performance as the title character in [Alexander Payne](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexander-Payne)’s [About Schmidt](https://www.britannica.com/topic/About-Schmidt) (2002), a movie about a retired widower seeking to mend his relationship with his daughter. Nicholson’s understated [acting](https://www.britannica.com/art/acting) in the melancholic comedy earned him a 12th Academy Award nomination. In 2006 he appeared as Irish mobster Frank Costello in [Martin Scorsese](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Martin-Scorsese)’s [The Departed](https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Departed). Nicholson continued his success in comedic roles when he starred as an over-the-top psychiatrist in [Anger Management](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Anger-Management) (2003) and as an aging playboy who falls in love with a playwright (played by [Diane Keaton](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Diane-Keaton)) in [Something’s Gotta Give](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Somethings-Gotta-Give) (2004). In [The Bucket List](https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Bucket-List) (2007) Nicholson and [Morgan Freeman](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Morgan-Freeman) portray two terminally ill men who escape a hospital ward so they can accomplish everything they want to do before dying. He later appeared as an [irascible](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irascible) father in the [romantic comedy](https://www.britannica.com/art/romantic-comedy-film) [How Do You Know](https://www.britannica.com/topic/How-Do-You-Know) (2010), his fourth collaboration with director [James L. Brooks](https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-L-Brooks). Quick Facts Original name: John Joseph Nicholson Awards And Honors: [Kennedy Center Honors (2001)](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Kennedy-Center-Honors) [Academy Award (1998)](https://www.britannica.com/art/Academy-Award) [Grammy Award (1987)](https://www.britannica.com/art/Grammy-Award) [Academy Award (1984)](https://www.britannica.com/art/Academy-Award) [Academy Award (1976)](https://www.britannica.com/art/Academy-Award) Academy Award (1998): Actor in a Leading Role Academy Award (1984): Actor in a Supporting Role Academy Award (1976): Actor in a Leading Role Cecil B. DeMille Award (1999) Golden Globe Award (2003): Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama Golden Globe Award (1998): Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy Golden Globe Award (1986): Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy Golden Globe Award (1984): Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture Golden Globe Award (1976): Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama Golden Globe Award (1975): Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama Grammy Award (1988): Best Recording for Children Married To: Sandra Knight (1962–1968) Movies/Tv Shows (Acted In): "The Shooting" (1966) "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1975) "Hoffa" (1992) "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever" (1970) "I'm Still Here" (2010) "The Fortune" (1975) "Batman" (1989) "Psych-Out" (1968) "The Little Shop of Horrors" (1960) "Ironweed" (1987) "The Shining" (1980) "The Missouri Breaks" (1976) "The King of Marvin Gardens" (1972) "The Guns of Will Sonnett" (1967) "Prizzi's Honor" (1985) "Anger Management" (2003) "About Schmidt" (2002) "The Two Jakes" (1990) "Mars Attacks!" (1996) "Tales of Wells Fargo" (1961) "A Few Good Men" (1992) "How Do You Know" (2010) "Mr. Lucky" (1960) "The Rebel Rousers" (1970) "The Wild Ride" (1960) "Something's Gotta Give" (2003) "The Broken Land" (1962) "Studs Lonigan" (1960) "Bronco" (1961) "The Last Tycoon" (1976) "The Cry Baby Killer" (1958) "Reds" (1981) "Chinatown" (1974) "Matinee Theatre" (1956) "The Witches of Eastwick" (1987) "Wolf" (1994) "The Raven" (1963) "Sea Hunt" (1961) "Terms of Endearment" (1983) "The Departed" (2006) "The Border" (1982) "The Bucket List" (2007) "The Evening Star" (1996) "Back Door to Hell" (1964) "The Barbara Stanwyck Show" (1960) "As Good as It Gets" (1997) "Broadcast News" (1987) "The Pledge" (2001) "Carnal Knowledge" (1971) "A Safe Place" (1971) "The Last Detail" (1973) "Easy Rider" (1969) "Professione: reporter" (1975) "The Andy Griffith Show" (1966–1967) "The Crossing Guard" (1995) "The Terror" (1963) "Flight to Fury" (1964) "Five Easy Pieces" (1970) "The Postman Always Rings Twice" (1981) "Dr. Kildare" (1966) "Ensign Pulver" (1964) "Goin' South" (1978) "Too Soon to Love" (1960) "Man Trouble" (1992) "Ride in the Whirlwind" (1966) "Tommy" (1975) "Hells Angels on Wheels" (1967) "Heartburn" (1986) "Hawaiian Eye" (1962) "Blood and Wine" (1996) Movies/Tv Shows (Directed): "Drive, He Said" (1971) "The Two Jakes" (1990) "Goin' South" (1978) Movies/Tv Shows (Writing/Creator): "Ride in the Whirlwind" (1966) "Drive, He Said" (1971) "Flight to Fury" (1964) "Thunder Island" (1963) "Head" (1968) "The Trip" (1967) Although Nicholson’s widely imitated trademarks of a devilish smile and a slow, detached speaking style remained constant throughout the years, his screen persona mellowed in its [metamorphosis](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metamorphosis) from iconoclastic leading man to mainstream character actor, and his roles of later years reflect in many ways the maturation of his generation. As he entered his later years, he often played men with a youthful rebellious streak but who have also learned the value of sensitivity. Nicholson was awarded the [American Film Institute](https://www.britannica.com/topic/American-Film-Institute)’s Life Achievement Award in 1994. This article was most recently revised and updated by [Will Gosner](https://www.britannica.com/editor/will-gosner/9852049).
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