The Talks interview
Nicholson gives an interview to The Talks. He discusses how often he thinks about dying, the positive aspects of aging, and the highlights of his life.
The first screening of Easy Rider in Cannes, because I had been there before sneaking around. When I was sitting in the screening I realized that I was actually going to be a movie star. When I was over there I was pretty much already thinking about directing because I had been doing movies for 10 or 12 years by then. And everybody said I was good, but being known and not having a big film success is almost tougher than being completely new. It just kind of turned my life around and was definitely a highlight.
Something’s Gotta Give
Nicholson plays Harry Sanborn, an aged music industry executive with a fondness for younger women, in this comedy directed by Nancy Meyers. When Harry suffers a heart attack at the home of his latest girlfriend’s mother, Erica, he convalesces at her home and finds himself falling for her with an unexpected rival in the form of his doctor. Co-starring Diane Keaton, Keanu Reeves, Frances McDormand and Amanda Peet.
One of the common conversations that I have with friends of all ages, once again, particularly mid-life people, is that whatever their situation, if they’re not in it, they all yearn for one more really romantic experience. That exalted, wonderful feeling that you say that you’ll never do again when you’re not in it, but nothing stands in the way of this. That’s what I think that this refers to.
Wins Grammy
McFerrin and Nicholson wins the Grammy for Best Recording For Children for The Elephant’s Child.
Wins Oscar
Nicholson wins the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of a psychiatric patient who rallies his fellow inmates to rebel against the ward’s head nurse Ratchet (Louise Fletcher) in Milos Forman’s adaptation of Ken Kesey’s novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Art Carney presents the award. Nicholson:
Well, I guess this proves there are as many nuts in the Academy as anywhere else. But, since you gave me the chance, I’m really happy to get an opportunity to thank Saul and Michael and Louise and Brad and Lawrence and Bo, and all of the guys in the company, all of the feebs brigade . . . (And) last but not least, my agent, who about ten years ago advised me that I had no business being an actor. Thank you.
