While I feel that Nicholson hasn’t had a quality performance in many, many years – aside from “The Departed” – I think that he is truly a landmark of an actor. Coming from the Roger Corman than BBS era of film, he is one of the most important figures in American cinema. I didn’t include him in my Top Ten Currently Working Actors post, and that was wrong of me. Jack Nicholson may be America’s finest actor. Ever. Where does one even begin to rank his best performances? I will, so you don’t have too.
- Bobby Dupea, “Five Easy Pieces”
- Buddusky, “The Last Detail”
- R.P. McMurphy, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”
- Garrett Breedlove, “Terms of Endearment”/”The Evening Star”
- Jack Torrence, “The Shinning”
- J.J. Gittes, “Chinatown”/”The Two Jakes”
- The Joker, “Batman”
- George Hanson, “Easy Rider”
- Jerry Black, “The Pledge”
- Freddy Gale, “The Crossing Guard”
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Tags: Jack Nicholson
Frank Mengarelli
Truly a great actor along with Jeff Bridges I don’t think those two (despite their Oscars) get the respect they deserve.
Look at DeNiro that guy receives heaps of praise even when he is completely cashing in. Nicholson and Bridges don’t get that type of acclaim.
Well you know how I feel about Bridges. What would your top ten Nicholson performances be?
Chinatown
The Pledge
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
A Few Good Men
The Shining
Five Easy Pieces
The Departed
Batman (1989)
As Good As It Gets
Mars Attacks!
That’s a pretty good list Fitz, I love the inclusion of “Mars Attacks!”
It’s a fun turn. What can I say?