Last updated on: December 2, 2024

Jack Nicholson, born on April 22, 1937, in Neptune City, New Jersey, is a legendary American actor and filmmaker known for his intense and rebellious roles. Starting with minor parts in the late 1950s, Nicholson’s big break came in Easy Rider (1969), where he played an alcoholic lawyer, earning his first Oscar nomination.

Over his career, he’s won three Academy Awards—for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, As Good as It Gets, and Terms of Endearment—and holds a record 12 nominations, more than any other male actor. With unforgettable roles in films like The Shining, Chinatown, A Few Good Men, and The Departed, Nicholson’s charisma and unique blend of charm and menace have solidified his place as a Hollywood icon. His trademark grin and distinct voice make him one of the most recognizable faces in cinema.

As of December 2024, Jack Nicholson is 87 years and 7 months old, his estimated net worth is $400 million, and he stands at a height of 5 feet 9¾ inches (177 cm or 1.77 m) tall.

Bio / Wiki

Full Name

John Joseph Nicholson

Nickname

Mulholland Man, Nick, Jack

Profession

Actor, Filmmaker

Career

Debut

Film

The Cry Baby Killer (1958)

TV Show

NBC Matinee Theater (1956)

Best Known for

Jack Nicholson is best known for his iconic roles in films like One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, The Shining, and Chinatown, for his intense acting style.

Awards

Full list

Personal Profile and Background Details

Date of Birth

April 22, 1937

Age

As of today, Jack is 87 years, 7 months, and 29 days old.

Zodiac sign

Taurus

Signature

Nationality

American

Birth Place

Neptune City, New Jersey, United States of America

Residence

Los Angeles, California, United States of America

School / College / University

Jack Nicholson enrolled in Manasquan High School, New Jersey, but soon set the mold as the “Class Clown” of 1954. With decent grades that had now bumped him into college scholarship possibilities, Jack just didn’t have the interest in going to school and instead decided perhaps he could always return later. He took the leap and left for California to pursue his acting ambitions. For a living, he took odd jobs notably at the animation department of MGM-until squeezing in classes to hone his craft.

Religion

Jack Nicholson was born into a Catholic family but does not go to church anymore, having given it up when he was a teen. Although he is culturally Catholic, he is rather cynical about religion. In interviews, he indicated, “I don’t believe in God now,” and yet claimed an admiration for people with faith.

Race / Ethnicity

Irish, with smaller amounts of Scottish, English, Pennsylvania Dutch/German, and Welsh descents.

Food Habits

Jack Nicholson’s food habits are as unique as he is. He starts his day around 11 AM with breakfast in bed—usually orange juice, coffee with cream and sugar, and sometimes a diet chocolate pudding on weekends. While filming The Shining, director Stanley Kubrick had him eat cheese sandwiches (which Nicholson dislikes) for two weeks straight to fuel his discomfort for the role. Back in the day, Jack was also known for his late-night peanut butter snacks, joking that they kept his energy up!

Hobbies

Gardening

Physical Attributes and Measurements

Height

• In feet – 5′ 9¾”
• In Centimeters – 177 cm
• In meters – 1.77 m

Weight

• In kilograms – 78 kg
• In Pounds – 172 lbs

Body Measurements

• Chest Size: 42″
• Biceps Size: 16″
• Waist Size: 37″

Shoe size

11 (US)

Eye color

Green

Hair Color

Gray

Family

Jack Nicholson’s family story is filled with twists. Born on April 22, 1937, he grew up thinking his grandparents were his parents, and his real mom, June Frances Nicholson—a young showgirl—was his sister. Jack only discovered the truth about his family in 1974, thanks to a journalist. His biological father remains unknown, though it’s speculated to be one of two showmen, Donald Furcillo or Eddie King.

Jack was married once, to Sandra Knight, with whom he has a daughter, Jennifer. He has five more children from other relationships: Caleb with actress Susan Anspach, Honey with Danish model Winnie Hollman, Lorraine and Ray with actress Rebecca Broussard, and Tessa with Jennine Marie Gourin, though he’s not publicly acknowledged Tessa.

Wife

Sandra Knight (1962–1968)

Father

Donald Furcillo

Mother

June Frances Nicholson

Siblings

None

Children

Lorraine Nicholson (Daughter) (Born on April 16, 1990)

Jack Nicholson and Rebecca Broussard welcomed their daughter Lorraine on April 16, 1990. Lorraine and her dad were close, often seen together at Lakers games and dinners, and he even took her to the Golden Globes in 2007. Jack has a sweet nickname for her, “Perf,” short for perfect. After graduating from Brown University, Lorraine entered the film world, acting in Soul Surfer (2011) and making her directorial debut with her short film Life Boat at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival.

Raymond Nicholson (Son) (Born on February 20, 1992)

Ray Nicholson, born in 1992 to Jack Nicholson and Rebecca Broussard, is the spitting image of his dad and is making his own mark in Hollywood. Fans loved his creepy grin in Smile 2, a clear nod to Jack’s iconic The Shining smirk. A lifelong Lakers fan, Ray shares a close bond with his dad, who he calls his hero. Off-screen, he’s dating model Sara Sampaio and carving his own path as an actor, just like his legendary father.

Caleb James Goddard (Son) (Born on September 26, 1970)

Caleb Goddard, Jack Nicholson and Susan Anspach’s son had a rocky start, with Jack publicly denying paternity despite privately supporting him financially, even covering his Georgetown tuition. Born in 1970 during his parents’ work on Five Easy Pieces, Caleb took the last name of his mother’s then-husband, Mark Goddard.

Eventually, Caleb embraced his parents’ Hollywood legacy, working as a producer and writer. Now living a quiet life with his wife, Katerine Pouget, and their two kids, he often shares sweet family moments online. Though he mourns his mother’s passing, he cherishes the simple joys with his own family.

 

Jennifer Nicholson (Daughter) (Born on September 13, 1963)

Born in 1963, Jennifer Nicholson spent her childhood in Hawaii with her mom. Being Jack Nicholson’s daughter came with unique pressures, as she shared in 2003, but she’s proud of her dad. After studying art history, Jennifer wore many hats: movie set designer, actor, interior designer, and even fashion designer. She launched a collection at New York Fashion Week in 2003, worn by stars like Jennifer Love Hewitt and Naomi Campbell. Jennifer has two sons, Duke and Sean, with her ex-husband Mark Norfleet. Following in his grandfather’s footsteps, Duke appeared in the 2018 film Us.

Honey Hollman (Daughter) (Born in 1981)

Honey Hollman, daughter of Jack Nicholson and Danish model Winnie Hollman, once pursued acting like her parents. Born on January 26, 1982, in Copenhagen, Honey starred in a Danish film but later left Hollywood behind. She now lives in Ireland with her husband, Peter Duffy, an Irish pub owner, and their three kids: Walter, Hank, and Daisy.

She is the Owner and Founder of CULT: ZERO. She has chosen a quieter life, running an organic grocery store and sharing glimpses of her family life online. With a close-knit family and dual nationality, Honey’s life reflects her unique roots in Hollywood and Denmark.

Tessa Gourin (Daughter)

Tessa Gourin, born on August 15, 1994, is Jack Nicholson’s youngest child, but he’s never publicly acknowledged her. In a 2023 Newsweek article, Tessa opened up about growing up without a relationship with her famous father. She described their rare meetings as distant and lacking connection, comparing it to a bad date. While she doesn’t hide that Nicholson is her dad, she’s never led with it, feeling the sting of his absence even more as he stays active in his other kids’ lives. Tessa has likened her experience to Orphan Annie, growing up with a powerful yet distant parent.

Recently, she’s spoken about the “nepo baby” debate, wishing she had the same industry access as other celebrity kids but using her experiences as fuel for her work. With acting and directing projects on the horizon, Tessa is determined to make her own mark.

Relationship & More

Marital Status

Single

Marriage Date

June 17, 1962

Dating History

Melanie Griffith

Georgianna Carter (1957-1960)

Sandra Knight (1960-1968)

Mimi Machu (1967-1971)

Susan Anspach (1969-1970)

Michelle Phillips (1970-1972)

Veruschka Von Lehndorff (1972)

Joni Mitchell (1972)

Anjelica Huston (1973-1990)

Jill St. John (1976-1977)

Margaret Trudeau (1978)

Kelly LeBrock (1979-1980)

Winnie Hollman (1980-1985)

Christina Onassis (1980)

Veronica Cartwright (1987)

Rita Moreno

Rebecca Broussard (1989-1994)

Tracy Richman (1990-1991)

Julie Delpy (1992)

Angie Everhart (1993)

Amber Smith (1993-1994)

Sharon Stone (1996)

Cynthia Basinet (1997-1999)

Lara Flynn Boyle (1999-2003)

Kate Moss (2004)

Favorite Things

• Favorite Food – Italian
• Music – Pop
• Favorite Sport – Yoga/Meditation

Net worth 2024

$400 million

As of December 2024, it’s estimated that Jack Nicholson has a net worth of about $400 million, based on information from different reliable sources. He has amassed substantial wealth through various avenues:

1. Acting Career:

Nicholson’s primary income source has been his prolific acting career, spanning over six decades with more than 60 films. His earnings per film have varied, reflecting his growing stature in the industry:

• Early Roles: For Chinatown (1974), he earned $500,000.
• Mid-Career: He received $1.25 million for The Shining (1980) and $1 million for Terms of Endearment (1983).
• Later Roles: His salary increased to $10–$15 million per film in the 1990s. Notably, he earned $10 million each for The Departed (2006) and The Bucket List (2007). [The Richest]

2. Backend Deals and Profit Participation:

Nicholson’s savvy negotiations often included profit-sharing arrangements:

• Batman (1989): He accepted a lower upfront salary of $6 million in exchange for a percentage of the film’s gross and merchandise sales. This deal reportedly netted him around $90 million, making it one of the most lucrative actor deals in history. [Collider]

3. Real Estate Investments:

Nicholson has invested significantly in real estate, contributing to his wealth:

• Property Portfolio: His holdings include a Malibu mansion worth $4.25 million, a $15 million property in Aspen, and Marlon Brando’s former house purchased for $6.1 million. [Just Richest]
• Total Value: His real estate assets are estimated at around $100 million. [Celebrity Net Worth]

4. Art Collection:

An avid art collector, Nicholson’s collection significantly enhances his net worth:

• Valuation: His art collection is estimated to be worth over $100 million, featuring works by renowned artists like Andy Warhol, Henri Matisse, and Jack Vettriano.

5. Other Ventures: While acting remains his primary income source, Nicholson has also earned from:

• Directing and Producing: He directed films such as Drive, He Said (1971) and The Two Jakes (1990), adding to his earnings.
• Endorsements and Appearances: Though less frequent, endorsements and public appearances have contributed to his income.

Car collection

1. Mercedes-Benz 600 Grosser
2. 1967 Volkswagen Beetle
3. Chevrolet Impala
4. Porsche 911
5. Ford Mustang Shelby
6. Rolls-Royce
7. Range Rover

Social Media Profiles

He is not active on social media