One of the most iconic actors in Hollywood celebrates his 79th birthday today. The great Jack Nicholson, with his edgy style and wicked smile, has been captivating audiences for more than 50 years and has a wealth of awards under his belt. Born in New Jersey in 1937, Nicholson was voted class clown at his high school, Manasquan, and found his way to Hollywood in 1954 at the tender age of 17. Nicholson's first acting credit on the Internet Movie Database is a single-episode appearance in the 1956 TV series "Matinee Theatre," followed by his cinematic debut as Jimmy Wallace in "The Cry Baby Killer" (1958).
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| Jack Nicholson |
Most Nicholson-related collectibles come in the form of signed memorabilia and photos, but here are a few outside-the-box goodies:
The Shining poster by Spoke Art/Joshua Budich (2012)
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| "The Shining" poster by Joshua Budich |
Another stunning, limited-edition print from poster-artist extraordinaire Joshua Budich, done for Spoke Art gallery to commemorate a screening at the Castro Theatre in 2012.
The Joker DX figure, Hot Toys (2012)
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| The Joker DX figure by Hot Toys |
This intricately detailed, 1/6-scale figure from Hong Kong manufacturer Hot Toys features a cornucopia of articulation points and cool accessories, and looks just like Jack from his 1989 "Batman" performance.
Rolling Stone #201 (1975)
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| Rolling Stone #201 |
Nicholson earns his first-ever Rolling Stone cover appearance in the Dec. 4, 1975, issue, courtesy of artist Kim Whitesides.
And of course, Jack has given the movie-going public a smorgasbord of memorable roles. In honor of our favorite Lakers-loving man behind the shades, here are our top 10.
TOP 10 JACK NICHOLSON MOVIES
10. Wolf (1994)
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| "Wolf" (1994) |
Nicholson gets the werewolf treatment with this atmospheric horror/drama that also stars Michelle Pfeiffer and a wonderfully sinister James Spader.
9. Easy Rider (1969)
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| "Easy Rider" (1969) |
Cult classic about two hippie bikers and their ill-fated road trip has Nicholson blazing up alongside Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper.
8. About Schmidt (2002)
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| "About Schmidt" (2002) |
Nicholson is a retiree who takes a soul-searching trip to visit his estranged daughter in this well-written comedy from director Alexander Payne ("Sideways").
7. The Departed (2006)
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| "The Departed" (2006) |
Nicholson plays Irish-American mobster Frank Costello (based loosely on real-life gangster Whitey Bulger) in director Martin Scorsese's edgy thriller. Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon co-star.
6. A Few Good Men (1992)
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| "A Few Good Men" (1992) |
Military court drama pits attorney Tom Cruise against crooked colonel Nicholson. This film immortalized the line: "You can't handle the truth!"
5. As Good as It Gets (1997)
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| "As Good as It Gets" (1997) |
Charming Oscar winner about a prickly author (Nicholson), a gay artist (Greg Kinnear), a working mother (Helen Hunt) and an adorable dog. Directed by James L. Brooks of "Simpsons" fame.
4. Batman (1989)
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| "Batman" (1989) |
Director Tim Burton's beloved superhero actioner pits the caped crusader (Michael Keaton) against the Joker (Nicholson) with the fate of Gotham on the line.
3. Chinatown (1974)
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| "Chinatown" (1974) |
Roman Polanski directs Nicholson as a private detective who becomes embroiled in a deadly plot in this Oscar winner for Best Screenplay. Faye Dunaway co-stars.
2. The Shining (1980)
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| "The Shining" (1980) |
Nicholson delivers his famous "Here's Johnny!" line in this brilliant and disturbing thriller from director Stanley Kubrick. Based on the novel by Stephen King.
1. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
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| "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1975) |
Nicholson is at his manic best in this highly praised (and awarded) adaptation of the Ken Kesey novel about the patients of a mental hospital and their devious nurse.
Happy birthday, Jack!
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