What Was Jack Nicholson’s Final Role?
Jack Nicholson, arguably one of the most famous actors of all time, quietly stepped away from the spotlight over the past 15 years, after a career that spanned over half a century. Despite a professional renaissance in the late ’90s and early 2000s that included an Oscar-winning turn in As Good as It Gets (1997), a Golden Globe-winning performance in About Schmidt (2002) and an appearance in Best Picture Oscar winner The Departed (2006), Nicholson informally retired just a few years later, with a final film in 2010. Fans wonder if Nicholson, who turned 88 today, will ever return to the big screen. But do you remember what Nicholson’s final movie was?
James L. Brooks directed Nicholson’s final film, the rom-com How Do You Know, in 2010. In How Do You Know, Nicholson plays Charles, a wealthy, charming businessman who is also the father of George, played by Paul Rudd. The film centers on Lisa, a professional softball player played by Reese Witherspoon, who is caught in a love triangle with George and his friend Matty, played by Owen Wilson.
While the movie focuses more on the romantic dynamics between Witherspoon, Rudd and Wilson, Nicholson’s role still adds a layer of depth. Charles is a man who seems to have it all but is also grappling with personal issues as he deals with the fallout of his strained relationship with his daughter’s mother and tries to come to terms with his own legacy.
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In the years following the film’s release, whispers about Nicholson’s health began to surface. Reports suggested that he had been struggling with memory issues and had scaled back his public appearances. His decision to retire seemed less about a waning passion for acting and more about the realities of aging.
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However, in February 2025, Nicholson made a rare public appearance at the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special, introducing Adam Sandler, his costar from Anger Management. He was seen dressed in a stylish Giorgio Armani suit, a Yankees-logo beret and purple-tinted sunglasses. His appearance delighted fans and sparked speculation about a possible return to acting.
While fans still hold hope he comes back from retirement, his son, Ray Nicholson, has begun making his own mark in Hollywood. Much like his father, Ray has embraced acting, appearing in films such as Novocaine and Smile 2. Though comparisons are inevitable, Ray is focused on carving out his own path. It’s clear that Jack’s legacy lives on not only in his work but also in the new generation of actors he has influenced, including Ray, who continues to create his own mark in the industry.
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