NICHOLSON, JACK

born April 22, 1937, Neptune, N.J., U.S. American motion-picture actor noted for his versatile portrayals of unconventional outsiders. After graduating from high school, Nicholson drifted into stage and motion-picture acting in Hollywood. He played a string of undistinguished roles in low-budget horror and motorcycle-gang films in the late 1950s and '60s before his performance as the easygoing Southern lawyer companion of the two main characters in Easy Rider (1969) brought him nationwide acclaim. He then went on to leading roles in a number of highly successful motion pictures, including Five Easy Pieces (1970), Carnal Knowledge (1971), The Last Detail (1973), Chinatown (1974), and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), the last film winning him an Academy Award for best actor. After a hiatus of several years, he resumed his career. Notable films include The Shining (1980), The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981), Prizzi's Honor (1985), The Witches of Eastwick (1987), Batman (1989), and Wolf (1994). He won an Academy Award for best supporting actor for his performance in Terms of Endearment (1983). Nicholson himself directed Drive, He Said (1971) and directed and starred in Goin' South (1978) and The Two Jakes (1990).