Ray Nicholson shared in a conversation with his sister Lorraine Nicholson published in Interview magazine that he “can’t talk about a lot” with his father, three-time Oscar winner Jack Nicholson, but that the two bond over their love of sports.
“I love sports so much. It’s also the language of love that me and dad share,” Ray said, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “We can’t talk about a lot, but we can talk about the f***ing Lakers until kingdom come.”
Jack Nicholson retired from acting following his 2010 movies I’m Still Here and How Do You Know. The 89-year-old actor was once a fixture sitting courtside at many Lakers games over the years. Ray Nicholson recently starred in the film “The Mosquito Bowl,” playing football player Tony Butkovich.
Jack shares Ray and Lorraine with former partner Rebecca Broussard. In recent years, Jack has taken a major step back from the public eye, though he made a surprise appearance at the Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary special in February 2025, where he introduced Adam Sandler’s musical performance.
He originally planned to go to Boston College and play football before a severe staph infection that turned into MRSA nearly required his arm to be amputated. After experiencing what the “Smile 2” star described as a “voice-of-god moment,” he decided to pursue acting instead, though he admitted he was initially “scared” to tell his father.
“I was really scared to tell dad,” Ray said. My education really taught me that dad isn’t god. He’s not the only thing in this film industry.
Michael Douglas recently shared an update on his longtime friend while promoting a memoir, stating that Jack is well and living quietly. Michael Douglas collaborated with Jack on 1975’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
“He’s not working any more. He’s well. He has disappeared. I know that,” Douglas said. “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.”
Ray and Jack were also photographed watching the Los Angeles Lakers together in May 2023.
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