Jack Nicholson Officially Retires from Acting

Credit: Getty Images

The most nominated actor in Oscar history is putting his career behind him.

RadarOnline reports that Hollywood legend Jack Nicholson has retired from the movie business.

The 76-year-old icon has no intention of appearing in films again, ending a career spanning five decades.

“Jack has — without fanfare — retired,” a well-placed Hollywood film insider confirmed. “There is a simple reason behind his decision — it’s memory loss. Quite frankly, at 76, Jack has memory issues and can no longer remember the lines being asked of him."

The source adds, “His memory isn’t what it used to be.”

The three-time Academy Award winner has not appeared in a film since 2010's How Do You Know, co-starring Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd and Owen Wilson.

Despite his relatively low profile in recent years, it isn't as if Jack hasn't received his share of offers. Producers for the forthcoming film Nebraska had wanted him to play the key role of "an aging, booze-addled father who makes the trip from Montana to Nebraska with his estranged son in order to claim a million dollar Mega Sweepstakes Marketing prize." However, the role ultimately went to Bruce Dern after Nicholson passed on the role.

Further details via RadarOnline:

Nicholson began his Hollywood career in the 1950s, first working as a gofer for animation legends William Hanna and Joseph Barbera at the MGM cartoon studio. He left soon after to pursue his dream to star on screen.

The New Jersey-native made his film debut in a low-budget teen drama The Cry Baby Killer, in 1958, playing the title role.

He’s best remembered for his Academy Award winning roles as Best Actor for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and for As Good as It Gets. He also won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the 1983 film Terms of Endearment.

Nicholson has been nominated for a record-setting 12 Oscars, eight for Best Actor and four for Best Supporting Actor, making him the most nominated male actor in Academy Awards history.

Of course, while Nicholson's career is over, we haven't seen the last of ol' Jack.

“Jack has no intention of retiring from the limelight,” said the source, noting his regular appearances court side at Lakers games, his frequenting at Hollywood parties as well as his usual attendance at the Academy Awards.

“He’s not retiring from public life, at all. He just doesn’t want a tribute,” added the insider. “He’s happy to tacitly join the retirees club like Sean Connery.”