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Jack Nicholson is one of the greatest actors of all-time. He has played a variety of roles from the Clown Price of Crime, the Joker to haunting his family in the Shinning to acting crazy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. You better not ask him for his opinion because you wouldn’t be able to handle the truth. In the span of five decades, Nicholson has won three Academy Awards but holds the record for most nominations with twelve. He is one of only three male actors to win three Academy Awards, and one of only two actors to be nominated for an Academy Award for acting in films made in every decade from the 1960s to the 2000s. Let’s give this wonderful actor a standing ovation. He will always still be the coolest guy in the room.
Jack Napier/The Joker- Batman (1989)
Jack Nicholson stole the show as the Joker. His impact is felt throughout the whole movie as you want to see more and more of him. Before his transformation, Nicholson played Jack Napier as a cool but sadistic mobster. He liked the finer things in life but spoke calmly. He was just cool. When Napier changed into the Joker, Nicholson brought more of his A-game and acting abilities, completely flipping to the opposite extreme. He was loud, funny, always laughing, and having a grand time while causing chaos.
Melvin Udall- As Good as It Gets (1997)
What can I say about the great Jack Nicholson? This was one of his best roles ever, and he has done a lot of roles. As Melvin, he just seemed to bring a type of personality and mannerisms to this character that you want to hate so much. In his own way, Nicholson made you almost care about Melvin at the end of the film through the changes he made.
Randal McMurphy- One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
Nicholson was such fun to watch in his role as Mac. He was such a pain in the a** for the staff but truly a role model that the men needed. Nicholson was charismatic, funny, and spectacular in his role. He had no regard for authority and wanted to see his fellow inmates treated with respect and have fun while they were in the mental hospital.
Colonel Nathan Jessup- A Few Good Men (1992)
You Can’t Handle the Truth!!! One of the most iconic lines ever delivered on screen and it was thanks to the one and only Jack Nicholson. I read that Nicholson practiced this scene every time to make sure he got it just right. As Colonel Jessup, Nicholson is intense as a man who commands his troops to the highest level and wants to weed out the weaklings. He demands respect and speaks his mind.
Jack Torrance- The Shining (1980)
In Stanley Kubrick’s psychological horror film, Nicholson goes full blown crazy mode towards the end of the film. Nicholson plays Jack Torrance, an aspiring writer and recovering alcoholic. He accepts a position as the off-season caretaker at the isolated historic Overlook Hotel in the Colorado Rockies. He brings his wife Wendy and young son Danny who has a gift. As the winter storm hits, Jack loses his mind. Nicholson does a fantastic job with showing his character submit to the hotel. The ax scene will forever live on in movie history.
Frank Costello- The Departed (2006)
Jack Nicholson as Frank Costello was freakin awesome. I like a lot of Nicholson work and it is hard to believe that after such an illustrious career, this is his first time working with Scorsese. Nicholson was a crazy fool in this film. Sometimes when he got that look in his eye, you knew someone was about to die.
Garrett Breedlove- Terms of Endearment (1983)
Jack Nicholson as Garrett Breedlove was just as cool as the other side of the pillow. He just has a way of making all his roles just seem so cool and effortless. I don’t know how he won, but maybe because he was just doing his thing while having that iconic Nicholson smile.
J. J. “Jake” Gittes- Chinatown (1974)
Considered one of the greatest films of all time, the film was nominated for 11 Oscars. The film was inspired by the California water wars. Nicholson is at his best as Jake, a private investigator hired to trail Evelyn’s husband Hollis, whom she suspects of infidelity. This film has one of the biggest twists in history and Nicholson is great through the whole film.
Daryl Van Horne- The Witches of Eastwick (1987)
Starring alongside Cher, Michelle Pfeiffer and Susan Sarandon as the titular witches. Nicholson plays Daryl Van Horne, a man who appears to fulfill their desires. Nicholson is charming, cool and a person that oozes confidence even if he is the Devil. Nicholson is also hilarious as the women get the one up on his character and he has to go into a church to complain.
President James Dale/Art Land- Mars Attack (1996)
In this wild, hilarious over the top film that shows what happens when Mars comes and attacks the world. The whole movie is insane and watching Nicholson act as the President is hilarious. He went out strangely but the whole film is insane also. It is fun to always watch Nicholson in a comedic role. He is hilarious when he wants to be.
