Jack's Life: A Biography of Jack Nicholson

by Patrick McGilligan

Book Overview

No male American film star of the post-Brando era has demonstrated the talent, charisma, the larger-than-life audacity, and the string of screen triumphs of Jack Nicholson. Now one of America's finest film historians has produced the definitive biography of this most private and public of stars. Photos. Second serial to Cosmopolitan.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393034828
• ISBN13: 9780393034820
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 478 Pages
• Weight: 2.14 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.6" x 6.5" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

AND, THERE'S A GREAT DEAL MORE TO COME.....

While many of us think Jack Nicholson burst into cinematic celebrity with his role in "Easy Rider," the truth is he had already put in ten long years of trying to make it in Hollywood, In fact, 1969 found Nicholson throwing himself into writing and producing until Rip Torn, who was slated for the role in "Easy Rider," left after a contractual dispute and Nicholson stepped in. We could say the rest is history, but it is not for despite the countless interviews Nicholson has given there is still much to be learned about this baffling and brilliant actor. The author of biographies of George Cukor, James Cagney and Robert Altman, Patrick McGilligan knows how to document a life. Renowned for playing estranged loners ("Five Easy Pieces," "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest), Nicholson was born in 1937 and raised to believe that his mother was his sister. He was never certain who his father was. Despite the question of his parents, he seems to have had a rather conventional upbringing in New Jersey. Much found in Nicholson's past can be sighted in his present: He was succored by the women who raised him as he has been by his many romantic relationships; he followed professional sports as a youth and attended games with a cadre of his buddies; he was careful with money - today he is one of Hollywood's richest actors. Nicholson and his close friends declined conversation with the author. Thus, McGilligan has relied on already published material, albeit written with a fresh slant. "Jack's Life" is entertaining, yet the career of one of our most gifted actors is still ongoing. I'm waiting - after all, everyone who saw "Batman" knows that the Joker will return. - Gail Cooke

The Standard-Setting Biography Of Jack Nicholson

This book covers Jack's life from birth to age 57. Jack Nicholson has such a gift for acting that it is, for me, almost unbelievable. This book will let you in on his life so that you, the reader, can understand how this amazing talent came about. Thank you, Jack, for all of your great work.

Nothing exceeds this man

He is Plutonian regeneration. A shining star in a world full of mediocrity. Thanks Jack. Thanks for the inspiration.