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1937: A Young Jack Nicholson

Nicholson was born in Neptune, New Jersey on April 22, 1937. Growing up near the Jersey Shore, he was raised by his father, John, who worked in a department store and his mother, Ethel May, who was a hairdresser, alongside his sister, June.

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1954: Headed for Hollywood

After high school, Nicholson didn't want to attend college. "I wasn't filled with a burning desire to make something of myself," he said in Hollywood Hellraisers by Robert Sellers. Instead, he secured local jobs as a lifeguard and a movie theater attendant before finally joining his sister in Los Angeles in the summer of 1954.

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1954: Finding Film

Nicholson took a job at MGM studios in the animation department, where he was exposed to Hollywood's film business for the first time. He landed his first audition by chance, which didn't go well, but ended up earning him a place in Jeff Corey's acting class, as well as a job at the Players Ring Theater.

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1958: His First Film

Nicholson landed his first film role in The Cry Baby Killer. The low budget film wasn't a huge hit, but it did introduce the actor to a steady stream of roles in horror films.

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1960: Paying His Dues

Throughout the '60s, Nicholson mostly appeared in low budget horror movies, as well as guest spots on television.

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1962: Getting Married

After meeting on the set of the horror movie The Terror, Nicholson and Sandra Knight married in 1962. "The real Jack is a loving, caring, giving person," Knight told Closer Weekly. "We had a very beautiful, sweet marriage."

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1962: His First Child

Jennifer Nicholson was born in 1962, the actor's first child and his only one with Knight. Here, Jack is seen with Jennifer (age 11) on set in 1974.

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1967: Writing 'The Trip'

Nicholson debuted his screenwriting ability in the 1967 film The Trip, starring Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper. The movie, dubbed as a counter culture classic, has since become one of the most recognized films of the decade.

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1968: Getting Divorced

Knight left Nicholson in 1968, a heartbreak that some say ruined the actor's notion of marriage forever. "I could see Jack was going to become a big star and have lots of temptations. I couldn't go along for the ride. He's different from the Jack Nicholson image," Knight told Express.

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1969: His Breakthrough Role

Even though he'd been acting for more than a decade, Nicholson finally earned the role that shot his career into the stratosphere with Easy Rider. Peter Fonda was his costar and the movie was a huge success. Nicholson was nominated for his first Academy Award for his performance.

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1970: Emulating Marlon Brando

Nicholson grew up idolizing Marlon Brando after first watching him in On the Waterfront. "He was spellbinding, a genius. There was no way to follow in his footsteps. He was just too large and just too far out of sight,” Nicholson said in Hollywood Hellraisers by Sellers.

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1970: Becoming a Star

Nicholson followed up his Easy Rider success with Five Easy Pieces in 1970, which earned him another Academy Award nomination. Suddenly, he had attained the persona of Hollywood's tough guy—becoming the man that men wanted to be and women gravitated toward.

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1970: A New Relationship

In 1970, Nicholson was linked to actress Michelle Phillips. It was his first public relationship since his divorce. The couple is seen here in New York City.

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1971: Taking Over as Director

After his acting success, Nicholson wound up in the director's chair for the first time in 1971. His film, Drive, He Said, which he also wrote, was not a huge hit, but gained him a following of loyal fans.

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1971: 'Carnal Knowledge'

In addition to his directorial debut in 1971, Nicholson appeared in the hit film Carnal Knowledge, alongside major stars of the day, Ann-Margret, Candice Bergen, and Art Garfunkel.

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1972: A Hollywood Playboy

Nicholson ran in a crowd of stars that were lauded for their playboy exploits—think Warren Beatty and Dennis Hopper—and whose affairs and love children didn't result in career ending scandals, but rather added to their cool-guy image. As a result, he earned a reputation as a Lothario and womanizer.

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1973: Another Hit

After appearing as a U.S. Navy officer in The Last Detail, Nicholson earned his third Oscar nomination. Here, he's seen filming a scene with a young Carol Kane, who plays a prostitute in the movie.

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1973: Falling in Love (Again)

Nicholson and Anjelica Huston revealed their relationship in 1973. The couple moved in together and remained partners for 16 years, although they never married.

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1974: A Powerhouse Career

Mimicking the rise and success of his hero, Brando, Nicholson continued to deliver stunning performances in some of the biggest films. After delivering back-to-back command performances in Chinatown in 1974 and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest in 1975, Nicholson earned his first Academy Award for Best Actor for the latter.

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1980: A Return to Horror

In 1980, Nicholson returned to the genre he so often appeared in before his breakout success, and delivered a spine chilling performance as Jack Torrance in the film adaption of Stephen King's novel, The Shining.

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