Michael Douglas reveals why Jack Nicholson ‘disappeared’ from Hollywood
Michael Douglas has shared a rare insight into the real reason fellow actor Jack Nicholson ‘disappeared’ from Hollywood more than a decade ago.
Speaking at a recent appearance to promote his new memoir One Helluva Ride, Douglas, 82, confessed one of the few things he regrets about his acting career is that he didn’t get to share the screen with Nicholson, 89. Now he’ll never get the chance.
Michael Douglas admitted he’s sad he never got to share the screen with Jack Nicholson. Kevin Winter/Getty
“He’s not working any more. He’s well. He has disappeared. I know that,” Douglas said, per The Independent.
“I still see him, but he is fine. He is up there by his house and walking around in his slippers.
“It happens. He deserves it. I understand. He is a few years older than me, but I understand.”
Nicholson last acted in 2010, when he starred in the comedy How Do You Know alongside Paul Rudd and Reese Witherspoon. After that, he stepped back from the spotlight.
Douglas did get the chance to work with Nicholson in the ’70s, when Douglas produced One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, which went on to become known as one of Nicholson career-defining films, but they never acted together.
Nicholson has rarely been seen in public in the nearly 16 years since he retired from acting.
He declined a cameo in The Shining’s 2019 sequel Doctor Sleep, according to director Mike Flanagan, but agreed to make a rare appearance on the 50th anniversary special of Saturday Night Live to introduce Adam Sandler.
The legendary actor reportedly has six children from five different relationships, and has said in the past that he missed out on precious time with some of them due to his career.
Nicholson his son and Ray Nicholson are close, and Ray has followed in his father’s footsteps to pursue acting. nna\gabrielle.oehlmann
It appears that he has used his retirement to strengthen his relationships with some of them, including Jennifer Nicholson, 62, Lorraine Nicholson, 36, and Ray Nicholson, 34.
He publicly denied paternity of Caleb Goddard, 55, whom he allegedly conceived with actress Susan Anspach, and has never publicly claimed Tessa Gourin, 32, whom he shares with Jennine Gourin.
Little is known about his relationship with daughter Honey Hollman, 44, who was raised by her model mother Winnie Hollman in Copenhagen, Denmark.
It was recently revealed that actor Tom Cruise “punched” Nicholson on the set of A Few Good Men, but it’s not what it sounds like.
Actor Kevin Pollak said on Steve Kmetko’s Still Here Hollywood podcast that Nicholson teased Cruise by pulling clown faces while Cruise was filming his part of the famous “You can’t handle the truth!” courtroom scene.
Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise in their most iconic scene from A Few Good Men. Columbia Pictures
“Jack is doing this, making the most ridiculous clown face you’ve ever seen,” Pollak said.
“And Tom stayed in the pocket and finished the scene and then punched Jack Nicholson in the shoulder.”
Fortunately, the punch was in good humour and both stars started laughing as soon as the cameras stopped rolling, breaking the tension on set.
Want more entertainment? We've got you.
- Watch: Dan and Dani predict their winners of The Block
- Read: Patrick Stewart’s estranged son honours Star Trek, X-Men star without a single word
- Recap: Love Island Australia - Horrified Islander spots familiar face as bombshell crashes show
- Front Row: Cody Simpson’s wild midnight Sydney outing and NRL tough guy’s red-faced stage moment
Get the news you need straight to your inbox. Sign up for our nine.com.au newsletter.
Most viewed in Celebrity
Chrissie Swan gives health update after ‘pretty tough two weeks’: ‘Healing is not linear’
Patrick Stewart’s estranged son honours Star Trek, X-Men star without a single word
Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise’s son Connor Cruise makes rare public outing
Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen lead Patrick Stewart tributes as Hollywood mourns legend
