This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Has Jack Nicholson Retired From Acting? [UPDATED]
Jack Nicholson presents the Best Picture award during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2013 in Hollywood. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Has Jack Nicholson quietly retired? RadarOnline.com is reporting that the acting legend has made his last film.
"Jack has—without fanfare—retired," a "well-placed Hollywood film insider" tells the site.
"There is a simple reason behind his decision—it's memory loss," claims the source. "Quite frankly, at 76, Jack has memory issues and can no longer remember the lines being asked of him. His memory isn't what it used to be."
The star of such classic films as One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, The Shining and Chinatown has not made a film since 2010's How Do You Know with Reese Witherspoon, which was a box-office disappointment.
According to RadarOnline, Nicholson turned down a juicy role in the upcoming film Nebraska, about an aging, alcoholic father who makes the trip from Montana to Nebraska with his estranged son to claim a million dollar sweepstakes prize. The role went instead to Bruce Dern.
However, Nicholson, who just presented Best Picture at this year's Oscars, reportedly hasn't ruled out appearances like that (there is a TelePrompter after all) and will still attend his beloved Lakers games.
"He's not retiring from public life, at all. He just doesn't want a tribute," added the insider. "He's happy to tacitly join the retirees club like Sean Connery."
Sponsored message
Speaking of Connery, Michael Caine recently took issue with a German magazine that quoted him as saying his old The Man Who Would Be King co-star also suffered from memory issues, namely, Alzheimer's disease. Caine told The Daily Record, "It's completely preposterous, bull****. This stuff about Alzheimer's is just nonsense."
Connery, who is now 83, announced his retirement in 2011.
Nicholson holds the record for most Oscar nominations for an actor (12) and won three, for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Terms of Endearment and As Good As It Gets. He was last nominated for 2002's About Schmidt.
UPDATED, 8:03 P.M. E! Online reports that NBC's Maria Shriver (who is also the former First Lady of California and a friend of the actor's) says the rumors of Nicholson retiring and having memory loss are "100 percent false."
A different source than the one who talked to RadarOnline says that Nicholson is "actively reading scripts" and looking forward to his next project, whatever it may be.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
