You Don’t Know Jack About Nicholson

4. The First Person To See Jack For Jack

The man who put the most faith in Jack Nicholson early in his career was legendary director Roger Corman. Nicholson made his film debut as the lead in Corman’s The Cry Baby Killer, and the actor’s earliest part that earned him acclaim was a role as a masochistic dental patient in Corman’s Little Shop of Horrors.

5. His Lucky Break

Thank goodness for the drama that Dennis Hopper is difficult to work with. Originally, Nicholson’s role in Easy Rider was written for Rip Torn. Torn, however, quit the film after a heated exchanged with Hopper, who directed and starred in the film. Jack took over the role and his career soared.

6. He Wasn’t the First Choice to Play McMurphy

One of Nicholson’s most beloved roles is his turn as mental patient Randle P. McMurphy in the Milos Forman directed adaptation of Ken Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. He only got the part after Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Burt Reynolds and James Caan passed. Throughout shooting, Forman allowed Nicholson to improvise, especially during the group therapy scenes. The film earned Nicholson his first Oscar for Best Actor.