Jack Nicholson's 80th birthday: Top 10 iconic roles of the actor

With 12 Oscar nominations and three wins Jack Nicholson is the most nominated male actor in the history of Academy Awards As the legendary actor turns 80 today we look back at 10 of his iconic performances that catapulted him to success and acclaimOne Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest 1975Jack Nicholson in a still from One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest PicYouTubeJack Nicholson earned his first Oscar award for his portrayal of Randle Patrick McMurphy in this drama based on the 1962 novel of the same name Nicholson plays a criminal who gets himself transferred to a mental institution to avoid regular prison However on discovering how mental patients are being treated worse than prisoners by Nurse Ratched he turns a rebel championing to shake up the systemBatman 1989Jack Nicholson as The Joker in Batman PicYouTubeWho was better as The Joker Jack Nicholson or the late Heath Ledger This question is sure to find its way into your conversations and spark a raging debate Nicholson gives a cartoonish quirky and goofy spin to the costumed criminal while Ledgers portrayal on the contrary is dark brutal and that of a mentally disturbed psychopath Playing the Joker in Batman earned Nicholson the BAFTA and Golden Globe Award nominationsThe Shining 1980Jack Nicholson in a still from The Shining PicYouTubeThe reason why Jack Nicholson seems a perfect fit to any role that requires a terrifying and insane antagonist is because of his performance in this film Nicholsons frightening portrayal of a disturbed hotel caretaker in this Stanley Kubrickhelmed horror film is sure to send chills down your spineTerms of Endearment 1983Jack Nicholson and Shirley MacLaine in a still from Terms of Endearment PicYouTubeJack Nicholson starred alongside Shirley MacLaine and Debra Winger in this comedydrama about a mother and daughters search for true love He won his second Oscar this time for the Best Supporting Actor for his scenestealing role as the retired alcoholic astronaut Garrett Breedlove who strikes up an unexpectedly affectionate relationship with Shirley MacLaines grieving character Aurora GreenwayAs Good As It Gets 1997Helen Hunt Jack Nicholson and Greg Kinnear in lsquoAs Good As It Gets PicYouTube Jack Nicholson earned his third Oscar award for playing Melvin Udall a neurotic writer who develops an unlikely bond with a waitress Helen Hunt and a troubled neighbour Greg KinnearHoffa 1992Jack Nicholson in and as Hoffa PicYouTubeThis FrenchAmerican biographical film directed by Danny DeVito is based on the life of an American trade union leader Jimmy Hoffa essayed by Jack Nicholson His performance in the film received mixed reviews It is interesting to note that Nicholson earned himself a Golden Globe as well as a Razzie nomination for the same roleWolf 1994Jack Nicholson in Wolf PicYouTubeWe get to see yet another horrifying side of Jack Nicholson in this romantic horror film where he transforms into a werewolf and takes on nocturnal escapadesThe Witches of Eastwick 1987Jack Nicholson in a still from The Witches of Eastwick PicYouTubeJack Nicholson unleashes his devilish side in this film featuring Cher Susan Sarandon and Michelle Pfeiffer as three lonely women who are unaware they are witches Nicholson plays Daryl a mysterious man who seduces the women one by one leading to disastrous consequencesA Few Good Men 1992Jack Nicholson in lsquoA Few Good Men PicYouTubeIn this courtroom drama based on a play by Aaron Sorkin Jack Nicholson plays Colonel Nathan Jessup a base commander caught up in the trial of two US Marines accused of murder Best remembered for his dialogue ldquoYou cant handle the truthrdquo his role earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting ActorAbout Schmidt 2002Jack Nicholson in a still from About Schmidt PicYouTubeIn this moving comedydrama Jack Nicholson plays Warren Schmidt a lonely man who struggles to find meaning in his life post retirement Nicholsons portrayal is a far call from the typical neurotic dark roles we have seen him play and earned him an Oscar nomination for Best ActorWhich is your favourite Jack Nicholson film Tell us in comments below