Why Jack Nicholson took a European approach to a very American career
Jack Nicholson, who gave audiences such unforgettable characters as the Joker in Batman and Jack Torrance in The Shining, has always marched to the beat of his own drum.
When it comes to his career, Nicholson’s approach has been as unconventional as his most famous roles. While many American actors are caught in the relentless pursuit of the next big thing, Nicholson took a page out of the European playbook, one that’s more about savouring the journey than chasing the next big hit.
The three-time Academy Ward-winning icon certainly tasted the highs of Hollywood, especially when he allegedly offered Princess Margaret a bump of cocaine, but Hollywood is a strange beast, and Nicholson – with his deep understanding of the industry’s capricious nature – knows all too well the downside of fame.
It’s not uncommon for an actor to dazzle onscreen and then seemingly vanish, a phenomenon that often has more to do with industry trends and public perception than the actor’s actual talent. The infamous hell-raiser was caught reflecting on that very idea in an interview with Rolling Stone, noting that the pressure to replicate success can be one of the toughest aspects of being an American actor.
“Yeah, well, I wanted a long career. I’ve played against the traditional standard of beauty,” he said. In other words, rather than trying to look like a heartthrob or always aiming for the next big blockbuster, he chose a path that emphasised depth over dazzle. “I designed my career to be in the European model,” he explained. “Europeans tend to look more at an actor’s body of work, and there will be peaks and valleys in that.”
The American approach can often completely contrast with the European one, which often insists that each new project must be bigger and better than the last, like trying to top a fireworks show with a bigger bang every time. Nicholson, however, has been more interested in crafting a varied and rich portfolio where the quality of work trumps the need for constant escalation.
“With a body of work behind you – good work – you can afford to take on a project that entertains you, one that challenges you, but which may not be bigger and better in the American sense,” he said, and by sticking to his European-inspired approach, Nicholson embraced a wide variety of roles that really showed off his range.
From quirky comedies to intense dramas, he’s played characters that are as diverse as they are memorable. This has allowed him to build a career that isn’t just about chasing the next big hit but about doing work he is passionate about and having fun with it.
As any fan of his many iconic films can attest, it’s the perfect recipe for a career as enduring and distinctive as Nicholson’s.
