Jack Nicholson - Actor Profile

Jack Nicholson

Acting
Updated: Apr 12, 2026
50Total Films
9.5 Highest Rated
Born: Apr 22, 1937
Birth Place: Manhattan, New York, USA

About Jack Nicholson

John Joseph "Jack" Nicholson (born April 22, 1937) is a retired American actor, film director, producer and writer. He is renowned for his often dark-themed portrayals of neurotic characters. Nicholson has been nominated for Academy Awards 12 times, winning Best Actor for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and for As Good as It Gets, and Best Supporting Actor for Terms of Endearment. He is tied with Walter Brennan for most acting wins by a male actor (three), and second to Katharine Hepburn for most acting wins overall (four). He is also one of only two actors nominated for an Academy Award for acting (either lead or supporting) in every decade from the 1960s to 2000s (the other one being Michael Caine). He has won seven Golden Globe Awards, and received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2001. In 1994, he became one of the youngest actors to be awarded the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award. Notable films in which he has starred include, Easy Rider, Chinatown, The Shining, Reds, Batman, A Few Good Men, About Schmidt, Something's Gotta Give, and The Departed.

Jack Nicholson Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Jack Nicholson reflects exceptional commercial consistency. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Jack Nicholson's work falls within the Documentary genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 94% of Jack Nicholson's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Close Up, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Jack Nicholson Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Jack Nicholson's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Jack Nicholson has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2025 John Candy: I Like Me Self - Actor (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2025 SNL50: The Homecoming Concert Self Hit Similar →
2022 Clint Eastwood: The Last Legend Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2021 Untold: Deal with the Devil Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2020 Kubrick by Kubrick Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2020 Joker: Put on a Happy Face Self Super Hit Similar →
2020 40 Years of Rocky: The Birth of a Classic Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2017 Jack Nicholson - The Devilish Smile of Hollywood Self Super Hit Similar →
2017 The Rolling Stones: From the Vault - Sticky Fingers Live at the Fonda Theatre 2015 Self - Audience Member Super Hit Similar →
2012 Roman Polanski: A Film Memoir Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2012 Close Up Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2011 Corman's World Self - Actor Hit Similar →
2007 The Bucket List Edward Periman Cole Hit Similar →
2007 View from the Overlook: Crafting 'The Shining' Self Hit Similar →
2007 The Visions of Stanley Kubrick Self Hit Similar →
2007 Lost Kubrick: The Unfinished Films of Stanley Kubrick Self Hit Similar →
2006 The Departed Costello Super Hit Similar →
2003 Something's Gotta Give Harry Sanborn Hit Similar →
2003 Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex 'n' Drugs 'n' Rock 'n' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood Self Hit Similar →
2002 About Schmidt Warren Schmidt Hit Similar →
2002 Paul McCartney: Back in the U.S. Self Hit Similar →
2001 Stanley Kubrick: A Life in Pictures Self Hit Similar →
2001 The Pledge Jerry Black Hit Similar →
1997 As Good as It Gets Melvin Udall Hit Similar →
1996 Mars Attacks! President Dale / Art Land Average Similar →
1995 The Rolling Stones: Totally Stripped Self Hit Similar →
1992 A Few Good Men Col. Nathan R. Jessep Super Hit Similar →
1989 Batman Jack Napier / The Joker Hit Similar →
1987 Broadcast News Bill Rorich Hit Similar →
1987 The Witches of Eastwick Daryl Van Horne Hit Similar →
1986 Barbra Streisand: One Voice Self - Audience Member (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1985 Live Aid Self Super Hit Similar →
1985 Prizzi's Honor Charley Partanna Average Similar →
1983 Terms of Endearment Garrett Breedlove Hit Similar →
1981 Reds Eugene O'Neill Hit Similar →
1981 The Postman Always Rings Twice Frank Chambers Hit Similar →
1980 Making 'The Shining' Self Hit Similar →
1980 The Shining Jack Torrance Super Hit Similar →
1976 The Missouri Breaks Tom Logan Hit Similar →
1975 One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Randle Patrick McMurphy Super Hit Similar →
1975 The Passenger David Locke Hit Similar →
1974 Chinatown J.J. 'Jake' Gittes Super Hit Similar →
1973 The Last Detail Buddusky Hit Similar →
1971 Carnal Knowledge Jonathan Hit Similar →
1970 Five Easy Pieces Robert Eroica Dupea Hit Similar →
1970 On a Clear Day You Can See Forever Tad Pringle Hit Similar →
1969 Easy Rider George Hanson Hit Similar →
1968 Targets Lt. Andre Duvalier (archive footage) (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1968 The Movie Orgy Self (archive footage) Average Similar →
1964 Ensign Pulver Yeoman Dolan Hit Similar →

Jack Nicholson - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Jack Nicholson?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Jack Nicholson is "Close Up" with a rating of 9.5/10.

How many movies has Jack Nicholson acted in?

Jack Nicholson has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Jack Nicholson?

Other notable films include "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", "The Departed", and "The Shining".

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