The big screen will no longer feature a face which has been nominated for Oscars in every decade since the 1960’s. Many actors have retired early, or they start to lose their status in Hollywood by moving to independent films. There are also many actors who are known for roles which are played later in their lives. One man who has been a face, young and old, in movies is the one and only Jack Nicholson.

There are many films which have featured Nicholson in them, but there are a few iconic ones which many students are familiar with.

Nicholson received his big break in 1969 in the film Easy Rider. He played a lawyer battling alcoholism, and his performance also gave him his first Oscar nomination. A few other films which he has had a role include: The Bucket List (2007), Batman (1989), The Shining (1980), and arguably one of his best films A Few Good Men (1992).

A Few Good Men is studied by the juniors of Elder High School in Mr. Bell’s Moral Issues class. This movie deals with the order of a “code red.” A “code red” in the army is an unofficial punishment administered by members of a particular unit against one of their own, usually a misfit, someone not sufficiently squared away to meet the corps’ standards or deemed to be out of step. Jack Nicholson plays the colonel who ordered the “code red.” This movie also is where the phrase “You can’t handle the truth!” became iconic.

Nicholson has won three Oscars for his roles in the movies One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (1975), As Good as It Gets (1997), and Terms of Endearment (1983). His career has been filled with a mix of supporting and leading roles. He has won 84 awards during his tenure in Hollywood.

Nicholson can be seen at many Los Angeles Lakers games. He is normally seen giving Lakers high-fives as they come on and off the court. Nicholson has had season tickets since 1970, and he has been sitting on the court for the past 25 years. He has become a sports icon due to his loyalty to the purple and gold.

Reports broke on September 4th, 2013 that Jack Nicholson retired. He attributed his retirement to memory loss. The 76-year-old will still be sitting court side at the Staples Center, but he is packing the scripts away. One of the longest tenured acting careers has come to an end, and it is highly unlikely to see the career which he had reappear in Hollywood anytime soon.