Jack Nicholson: The Biography

by John Parker

As he turns eighty, Jack Nicholson can look back on a career that has spanned over six decades. With iconic roles in Easy Rider, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, The Shining and The Departed to name but a few, he has exhibited an astonishing range in all and remains arguably our greatest living actor.

This comprehensive biography explores Nicholson's life with the help and co-operation of many of his Hollywood associates. Born in 1937 in New Jersey, he was raised, unbeknownst to him, by his grandparents, who had agreed to raise their teenage daughter's child. It was just the beginning of his journey from humble beginnings to award-winning success and multiple high-profile relationships with Hollywood's most glamorous women. The most nominated male actor in Academy Award history and a true bon viveur, Nicholson has lived the most extraordinary of lives.

John Parker delves into the life of this fascinating man, discovering that far more lies beneath the surface than one might think. The real Jack Nicholson and his legacy is examined in enthralling detail in this must-read for any film lover.

Genres: Biography, Film

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 6, 2017

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

John Parker is a former Fleet Street editor who has written many investigative books.

Reviews

[Sean Peters (A Good Thriller) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack Nicholson... Wild !

This fits his personal character perfect and also fits his film character.

With his untamed hair and shark's grin, his somewhat maniacal laugh, unmistakable smooth, low-pitched, drawling voice, an incredible talent.

It is so surprising that an actor with his talent spent many years in low budget "B" movies, horror movies, television guest appearances before hitting the big time with "Easy Rider".

Stardom, success, massive paydays big percentages and a well documented private life.

This book follows his film career, his private life up to 2004. History on a busy private life, his relationships, different, his long relationship with Angelica Huston, his friendships with Harry Dean Stanton, Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper.

We all know his great film career, his great success, his Academy Awards, his nominations his Life Achievement Awards, but his love for life. His work as a co-writer of scripts, his directing. His determination to never make television appearances, television talk shows. His love of the LA Lakers.

His love for sport, he loved playing tennis, loved skiing , he had two homes in Aspen one for him and one for Angelica Huston, or his girlfriend at the time.

Living close to his neighbour Marlon Brando, he bought his house after Brando's death.

This book covers the many scandals Nicholson was involved or not involved in !

Interesting book, a very interesting character, who now has enjoyed a twelve year retirement.

[Barry Hammond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whether trying to gain a foothold on Hollywood's ladder in the exploitation films of Roger Corman where, besides acting, he tried his hand at writing, directing, and various production skills, to the collaborative road films like Easy Rider or Five Easy Pieces, which first put him on the map, or in such defining classics as Chinatown, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, A Few Good Men, etc. that saw him achieve the pinnacle of the actor's craft, Jack Nicholson has been a leading light among actors who began their journey in the 1950s. His personal life has been as stellar and unconventional as his on-screen life, with much-publicized liaisons with Susan Anspach, Michelle Phillips, Angelica Houston, Rebecca Broussard, and many others, not to mention several scandals. Veteran journalist John Parker covers the whole life, from his early years to his ongoing work in the twenty-first century trying to keep a balanced view of what makes him both admired and despised in equal measure. Any student of cinema will find much in this work with stories both known and never-before-heard. A major work. - BH.

[Jonas Stephan Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good day all well this is i faith a good story through a splendid person god blees correct go in peace.

[Liedzeit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eine der besseren Heyne Filmbiographien, was nicht nur am Titelhelden liegt. Interessant die Polanski-Affäre, die im Hause Nicholsons stattfand.

[Smel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whilst I would rather read an autobiography, I thought this was pretty good. Super interesting, particularly Nicholson's early career. Now I'm gonna have to go and watch all his films :)

[Adèle Forissier · Rating 4 out of 5]

c’était cool, j’ai appris bcp pas que sur jack
il était un peu foufou je trouve
Pas contre le gros daron de 50 qui fini avec une meuf qui a l’âge de sa fille bon (miskina anjelica)

[Tom Ferguson · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. Made it 2/3s through. Reads like a Wikipedia article - boring.