Ray Nicholson Discusses Bond with Father Jack and Shift to Acting
Ray Nicholson said his shared love of basketball helped him connect with his father, Jack Nicholson, and described a turning point that led him to pursue a career in film.
Ray Nicholson, 34, spoke with his sister Lorraine Nicholson, 36, for Interview magazine about his relationship with their father, actor Jack Nicholson, who is 89. He said the two share a passion for basketball, noting that while they "can't talk about a lot, we can talk about the Lakers until kingdom come," the sport serves as a common language between them.
Ray recounted a serious injury in his youth that required hospital treatment for a staph infection that progressed to MRSA, after which he experienced a decisive moment that steered him toward acting. He told his sister, >\"I had a voice-of-god moment that was like, 'You don't want to do this. You want to be an actor.'\"
He said he was initially hesitant to tell his father about his new direction, but later attended USC, where he studied filmmaking and gained confidence in his own path. >\"My education really taught me that dad isn't god. He's a beautiful part of it, but a very small part. Making dad proud is high on my list, but this is a way of finding who I am.\"
A source close to the family said Jack Nicholson is focused on his children's well-being rather than industry projects, describing his priority as ensuring they are healthy and happy. The source added that Ray and Lorraine view their father as a personal hero and maintain frequent contact.