Jack Nicholson – A legendary actor

Learn about one of the most nominated Oscar-winning actors of all time.

Through the art of re-enactment, actors dramatize conflict. The actors in the film Chinatown portray characters that struggle to solve the mystery of the water shortage in Los Angeles. Because film actors bring these characters to life, such actors must immerse themselves into the roles they play in order to make their characters believable. Actors not only have to make their characters believable, but give them a sense of life and identity as they transition to playing a character to actually becoming that same character. Through numerous performances in films ranging from the dramatic Chinatown to light-hearted comedies like As Good As It Gets, Jack Nicholson is a versatile actor who not only embodies the roles that he plays, but is also an auteur that defines his characters as he brings them to life on film.

Born on April 22, 1937, Jack Nicholson had a turbulent early life. While growing up in Neptune City, he believed that two of his grandparents were his actual parents. Even with this complication and distortion of reality, Nicholson eventually developed the ability to create unforgettable characters through his work in film. His gifted acting talents eventually allowed him to portray memorable roles, such as Jake Gittes in Chinatown. However, Jack Nicholson had to struggle before achieving the legacy that he currently possesses.

Jack Nicholson did not gain fame instantly. In fact, his first film was an average production entitled, The Cry Baby Killer. It took some time before Nicholson had his big break in the film industry. All of that changed, however, once he met a director for the film Easy Rider. With such passion for this narrative, Jack Nicholson was determined to play his character in the best way possible. His performance would then help him achieve notoriety as a film actor as he transitioned from a regular actor to an unforgettable one.

During the production of the film Easy Rider, Jack Nicholson did his best to push the boundaries of what was possible in terms of film acting. In spite of Crosse’s credibility in the acting field, Jack Nicholson’s break-out performance in Easy Rider earned him his first nomination. Interestingly, neither Nicholson nor Crosse won the Best Supporting Actor Academy Award in 1970 because the winner was Gig Young for They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? Even without a win, Nicholson proved himself to be a credible actor with his first nomination.

With his next film, Five Easy Pieces, Nicholson proved to be an auteur even though he, at the time, only previously acted in a few other films. The fact that Jack Nicholson was a part of this film reveals how he transformed himself from an average film actor to one who can give insight to the characters that he plays. His performance as Robert Dupea in this particular film also earned him his second Academy Award nomination. Furthermore, it helped mold Jack Nicholson into a versatile actor as his character struggles to find himself as he meanders through the oil-rigs while searching for an identity. Jack Nicholson gave his character its own voice through his ability to portray a man that yearns to find himself in spite of internal and external conflicts. Therefore, Jack Nicholson did more than merely play a character. Instead, he essentially molded himself into another person in order to bring this fictional character to life on film.

To emphasize how Jack Nicholson became a film actor that defines his roles in a distinctive manner, Jack Nicholson attempted to create unique characters without delivering stereotypical performances. Such determination to give his characters a sense of identity reveals how Jack Nicholson would prefer not to create the same character with each successive film. It also reveals how Jack Nicholson does his best to create individualized characters rather than delivering typical performances. This reveals how Nicholson tries to make each character distinctive in spite of the demands of filmmakers in the industry that want him to star in their films. Thus, Jack Nicholson does his best to play characters the way he perceives that they should be portrayed.

Jack Nicholson would later take his talents as an auteur to another level with his portrayal of Jake Gitties in the film Chinatown. In this film, Nicholson plays a detective who searches to solve a mystery that plagues Los Angeles in regards to a water shortage. With his performance in the ending of Chinatown, Jack Nicholson was able to portray the struggles that his character goes through as he realizes that some pursuits are not worth undertaking.

Jack Nicholson hit a high point in his career with his performance in one of the most acclaimed films of all time. In this film, Jack Nicholson brings Ken Kesey’s literary character, a mental health patient named R.P. McMurphy, to life as he struggles to survive a mental institution that is run by the villainous Nurse Ratched. This Academy Award-winning film proved to be a timeless classic because it holds the distinction of winning all five of the top awards offered by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Nicholson also won an Academy Award for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Furthermore, the film’s cultural significance allowed Jack Nicholson to solidify himself as a memorable actor through an unforgettable performance. Thus, Jack Nicholson’s performance not only earned him an Academy Award, but helped define him as an auteur capable of playing very distinct roles.

Jack Nicholson not only holds acclaim for dramatic performances, but also able to playing comedic roles. In 1997, Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt both starred and won Academy Awards for their performances in a film entitled As Good As It Gets. Nicholson’s ability to play an anti-hero, and make that same character appeal to a wide audience, reveals how his acting skills allow him to showcase a character that struggles like everyone else in the real world. Therefore, As Good As It Gets proved to be a sensational film even though it is an atypical comedy.

In the present-day Jack Nicholson still continues to work in the film industry, which he has been a part of for almost fifty years. He recently appeared in the 85^th annual Academy Awards to present the Best Picture Academy Award to the film Argo, along with the help of the current First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama. In addition, he continues to maintain his legacy as an actor as audiences continue to enjoy his films. Despite the fact that he is not currently working on any film projects, his memorable performances and contributions to film continue to inspire the people that enjoy his work.

Through an extensive career, Jack Nicholson proved to a versatile actor who is capable to portraying characters that undergo both comedic and dramatic struggles. His accumulation of Academy Award nominations also rivals that of Meryl Streep, who is currently the most nominated actress in cinematic history. Jack Nicholson’s legacy endures as audiences enjoy his various performances in film. Because of his ability to play different roles, and bringing each character to life on screen, he does more than just play a character. Instead, he gives his characters a sense of life and identity as he shifts from being an actor playing a role to actually embodying that same role. Therefore, Jack Nicholson’s performances inspire those that watch his films as he continues to dramatize conflict through the art of re-enactment.