Jack Nicholson’s son Ray Nicholson revealed that sports serve as a shared love language between him and his father, admitting in a new family interview that they cannot talk about much else aside from the Los Angeles Lakers.
Speaking with his sister, Lorraine Nicholson, in Interview magazine, the 34-year-old actor offered a rare glimpse into his relationship with the retired, three-time Academy Award winner Jack Nicholson.
“I love sports so much. It’s also the language of love that me and dad share. We can’t talk about a lot, but we can talk about the f—ing Lakers until kingdom come,” Ray Nicholson said.
The father-son pair have frequently been photographed together sitting courtside at Lakers games over the years. Jack Nicholson, 89, has largely stepped away from public life since starring in the 2010 film How Do You Know, though he made a surprise appearance at the Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary special in February 2025.
Jack shares Ray and his 36-year-old sister Lorraine with his ex-partner Rebecca Broussard. Over the years, the Oscar-winning actor has welcomed a total of six children with five different women, maintaining a singular marriage in his past when he wed Sandra Knight in 1962 before they welcomed daughter Jennifer Nicholson the following year.
Ray said that growing up surrounded by his father’s profession made his household unique. He recalled feeling that acting was the very thing that took his famous father away from their home during his childhood. Ray said that learning his father’s career made the iconic actor feel more human to him, deepening his affection.
He admitted he was initially terrified to share his career change with his father, worrying about how the legendary star of The Shining would react to his new ambition.
“My education really taught me that dad isn’t god. He’s not the only thing in this film industry. He’s a beautiful part of it, but a very small part,” Ray Nicholson said.