The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission.
Five Easy Decades, By Dennis McDougal
Support truly
independent journalism
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
![Louise Thomas](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/support-us/louise-thomas.png)
Louise Thomas
Editor
It was not so easy at the start for Jack Nicholson. "To fathom Nicholson, we must first understand that no-one ever gave him a damned thing," declares McDougal in this machine-tooled biography of the actor. Like Eric Clapton, he grew up believing that his mother was his sister.
After paying his dues in films like Hell's Angels on Wheels and Psych-Out, this dedicated dope-smoker showed his mettle in Easy Rider and Chinatown, which mirrored his childhood with its themes of "illegitimacy and a corrupt father".
As his performances became ever more OTT from The Shining to The Departed, the ardent dopehead became a devoted breadhead.
The star might have preferred a more diplomatic portrait ("Jack couldn't keep it in his trousers"), but for the rest of us, McDougal does a great job.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments