Warner Bros. Pictures
For about 35 geezerhood , Jack Nicholson had a firm title for being the best histrion in Hollywood . After his find in 1969’sEasy Rider , it was clear that Nicholson would become a star . With a contagious smile , signature laugh , and irresistible charm , Nicholson had the looks and the talent that made him a Hollywood leading man . Yet , Nicholson also loved to slip the show as a supporting role player , as you ’ll see in the ranking below .
Nicholson ’s résumé speaks for itself . With 12 Oscar nominations , he is the most nominated male person actor in Academy Awards chronicle . Nicholson won three time , “ one for every decade , ” as he facetiously once enunciate . It ’s heavy to believe that Nicholson has not acted since 2010’sHow Do You experience . Yet , his bequest remains unmatched .
Warner Bros. Pictures
To abide by one of the greatest of all clock time , we did the impossible and ranked Nicholson ’s seven practiced picture show .
7. Batman (1989)
While Keaton play a gloomy , stoical Batman , Nicholson ’s Joker is a charismatic , over - the - top psychopath . Before Heath Ledger ’s turn inThe Dark Knight , Nicholson ’s Jokerwas the gold criterion for laughable book baddie . Quentin Tarantino magnificently saidMarvel actor are n’t movie stars , and for the most part , he ’s right . Nicholson is the opposite . His functioning defines the character , not vice versa .
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6. Easy Rider (1969)
This one is for oldD.H. Lawrence . Every do legend has a role that displays their potential for the first clock time . It ’s the transformative performance that people can indicate to as the minute that change their calling , like Brad Pitt inThelma & Louiseand Jodie Foster inTaxi Driver . For Nicholson , that purpose came inEasy Rider , the route drama starringPeter Fondaand Dennis Hopper as two bikers on a cross - country trip to find spiritual enlightenment . It ’s one of the most influential films of the counterculture movement , and Nicholson ’s George Hanson is one ofEasy Rider’slasting legacies .
Hanson is a foxy , alcohol-dependent lawyer who joins Wyatt ( Fonda ) and Billy ( Hopper ) on their trip to New Orleans . From the image of him on the back of a motorcycle fag a football game helmet to his marihuana - induce ranting about aliens , the theatrical role of Hanson iwa a “ star is born ” consequence for Nicholson . Though only in the film for a short time , Nicholson ’s memorable show result in his first Oscar nominating speech , for Best Supporting Actor .
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5. Terms of Endearment (1983)
term of Endearmentwill leave you in a puddle of crying . James L. Brooks ’ family drama star Shirley MacLaine as Aurora Greenway ( Shirley MacLaine ) , a widow woman who constantly butts heads with her malcontent girl , Emma ( The Ranch’sDebra Winger ) , after she marries a college professor and moves aside . The heart ofTerms of Endearmentis the relationship between Aurora and Emma , which tears at your emotion as the pic progresses .
meld in with the sadness are moments of gleefulness and laughter thanks to Jack Nicholson ’s Garrett Breedlove , the retired cosmonaut who lives next door to Aurora . Thanks to his abilirty to be sleazily charming , Garrett ’s presence provides a lovely rom - com detour from the heaviness of the family play . Nicholson ’s memorable carrying out leave in his second Oscar victory , his first for suffer Actor .
StreamTerms of EndearmentonParamount+ .
4. The Shining (1980)
If the most famous line from an iconic film is ad - libbed , you are a particular role player . That ’s the case for “ Heeeere ’s Johnny , ” which Nicholson improvised as an homage to Ed McMahon ’s introduction for Johnny Carson . Nicholson ’s Jack Torrance verbalise the famous set phrase after swing an ax like a wild valet de chambre as he tries to vote out his family , and his performance inStanley Kubrick’sThe Shiningis the histrion ’s scary part in his filmography .
Nicholson play a author and recoup boozer who slowly goes insane while serve as wintertime caretaker for the Overlook Hotel . It ’s a showy , forcible performance from Nicholson , whose violent outbursts and terrorize monologues still direct gelidity down one ’s spine . Even though Stephen King ( who wrote the book it ’s based on ) hat the film , Nicholson ’s attached performance is undeniable .
RentThe ShiningonPrime Video , Google , YouTube , orApple .
3. Chinatown (1974)
IfEasy Riderwas Nicholson ’s launching to stardom , Chinatowncemented him as one of the great . Roman Polanski ’s neo - noir boast Nicholson as Jake Gittes , a private investigator in the thirties Los Angeles hired by Evelyn Mulwray to investigate her married man ’s suspect activities . Jake eventually learns that an sham make believe to be Evelyn Mulwray ( Faye Dunaway ) hired him , lend further intrigue to the mystery story .
He eventually learns that Evelyn ’s begetter ( John Huston ) may be a suspect in a cryptic , more severe conspiracy . Robert Towne ’s Oscar - winning book is considered one of the best screenplay ever . However , this picture only work because of Nicholson , who elevates the already gravid material with wisdom , ignorance , and vulnerability .
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2. A Few Good Men (1992)
If you’re able to do by the truth , listen to this : Rob Reiner , who directed thecourtroom movieA Few Good Men , revealed what it was like direct the final courtroom scene when Nicholson ’s Colonel Jessup takes the base . Reiner make up one’s mind to film the reaction shots of the other characters in the room before twist the camera around on Nicholson . Despite being off - television camera , Reiner said Nicholson gave “ exactly the same execution that you see that ’s on camera . ”
When Reiner joked that Nicholson should “ save a little ” for the “ real ” take , Nicholson responded by saying how much he loves to act , which is why he was get an endeavor for every take . This mindset and dedication to the craft is what make Nicholson a genius . Nicholson versus Cruise in the court is an acting master year . Jessup is an evil , corrupt man with no redeeming qualities . Yet , I need to check his scenes the most , which is a will to Nicholson ’s endowment . A Few Good Menremains Nicholson ’s well supporting performance of his illustrious career .
RentA Few Good MenonPrime Video , Google , YouTube , orApple .
1. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
Everything you need in a Nicholson carrying into action is present inOne Flew Over the Cuckoo ’s Nest . Nicholson stars as Randle P. McMurphy , a convict who pretends to be insane so he can go to a mental institution instead of prison . Randle is a rambunctious troublemaker who injects life story into the facility , which go against the dictatorial atmosphere follow out byNurse Ratched ( Louise Fletcher ) , one of the good movie villain of all time .
Nicholson thrives as the antihero leading a uprising against the constitution . Randle is not a just guy , yet Nicholson ’s smile and charm are so infectious that you look the other way when he steals a few buck from his fellow patients . It ’s a triumphant portrayal of a tragic sub . Nicholson , who won the Oscar for Best Actor , has never been beneficial .
RentOne Flew Over the goofball ’s NestonPrime Video , Google , YouTube , orApple .
