You Don’t Know Jack About Nicholson

A Hollywood rogue of the old school, Jack Nicholson has truly earned his spot in Hollywood’s pantheon of greats. A man of electric charisma, Nicholson has always made headlines for his supposedly debauched lifestyle. Even without his towering public persona, though, he would still be a household name on the strength of a career filled with some of the most acclaimed performances ever given on film. There’s a reason that he’s the most nominated man in Academy Award history (12 times!). Of course, in his several decades in the limelight, Jack Nicholson has accrued an incredible personal history filled with surprises. Here are some things you may not know about Hollywood’s greatest playboy.

1. His Sister Was Actually His Mother

Nicholson’s father and mother were wed, though it didn’t last on account of Nicholson’s father being a polygamist. As a result of their split and to preserve the family reputation, Nicholson was raised thinking that his grandparents were his parents and his mother was his sister. Nicholson went through 37 years not knowing the truth until TIME Magazine brought the news to the surface in 1974.

2. He and DeVito Were Jersey Boys Together

As it turns out, Jack Nicholson and Danny DeVito grew up in the same neighborhood in New Jersey. They’ve worked together on several films including One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Mars Attacks! and Hoffa.

3. He Was Almost a Cartoonist

Nicholson’s first job after he arrived in Hollywood was working in the office at MGM alongside William Hanna and Joseph Barbera (aka, perhaps the most influential animators who’ve ever lived outside Disney). The dynamic duo actually offered Nicholson a job as an artist, but he declined in order to pursue acting.