Ray Nicholson Says He and Dad Jack Avoid Many Topics
WHO:
Yahoo - Ray Nicholson, 34, discussed his relationship with his father, actor Jack Nicholson, 89, in an interview with his sister Lorraine Nicholson, 36.
Yahoo - Jack Nicholson’s children include Jennifer, 62, with ex-wife Sandra Knight; Caleb, 56, with Susan Anspach; Honey, 44, with Winnie Hollman; and Ray and Lorraine with Rebecca Broussard. The article also identifies an estranged daughter, Tessa, 32, with Jennine Gourin.
US Magazine - Ray Nicholson spoke with his sister Lorraine Nicholson about their father.
NY Post - Ray Nicholson sat down for an interview with his sister, Lorraine.
WHAT:
The Hollywood Reporter - Ray Nicholson said he had been “really scared” to tell his father he wanted to pursue acting.
The Hollywood Reporter - Ray said he had expected to attend Boston College and play football.
The Hollywood Reporter - Ray described the football loss that preceded his arm symptoms as a “4th and 1” moment.
The Hollywood Reporter - Michael Douglas said Jack Nicholson is no longer working, is well, and has “disappeared”; Douglas added that he still sees him.
The Hollywood Reporter - Douglas said Jack was walking around in slippers near his house and “deserves” to have stepped away.
Yahoo - Ray said that he and his father “can’t talk about a lot,” but share a passion for sports and can “talk about the [expletive] Lakers until kingdom come.”
US Magazine - Ray said he and his father “can’t talk about a lot” and share an interest in sports.
Yahoo - Ray said he had expected to play football in college before choosing acting. He recalled that after a game, he lost feeling in his arm; a hospital sent him home after diagnosing a staph infection that developed into MRSA. He said he needed 24-hour nurses and that doctors marked his arm with a warning: “If it gets past here, we’re cutting your arm.”
Yahoo - Ray described having a “voice-of-god moment” telling him, “You don’t want to do this. You want to be an actor.”
Yahoo - Ray said he attended USC and learned to love filmmaking. He said his education taught him that his father “isn’t god” and is “a beautiful part” of the film industry, “but a very small part.”
Yahoo - Ray said making his father proud is important, but acting is also a way to find his own identity, and he feels he is on the right path.
Yahoo - A source described Jack as focused on whether his children are “healthy, happy and in good spirits,” rather than on the scripts they read or meetings they get. The source said being “a great and normal dad” is his final mission in life.
Yahoo - A source said Ray and Lorraine view Jack as their personal hero, check in on one another, and are supportive of their father.
WHERE:
The Hollywood Reporter - Douglas said Jack was near his house.
Yahoo - Ray said he attended the University of Southern California (USC).
WHEN:
The Hollywood Reporter - The article said one of Jack Nicholson’s last public appearances was at the *Saturday Night Live* 50th anniversary special.
WHY:
The Hollywood Reporter - Douglas said Jack had earned the chance to step away from work.
Yahoo - Ray said his education helped him understand that his father was not the only figure in the film industry and that pursuing acting helps him find who he is.
HOW:
Yahoo - Ray said his arm infection worsened into MRSA after he lost feeling in his arm following a game; he said he required round-the-clock nursing care.
Yahoo - Ray’s comments were made in a conversation with Lorraine for Interview magazine.
US Magazine - Ray’s remarks appeared in an interview with Lorraine for Interview magazine.
(UPDATED November 13, 2026 19:03 UTC)
Ray Nicholson says he was scared to tell his father, Jack, he wanted to act. A serious arm infection derailed his football plans before he pursued filmmaking at USC. Ray says they bond over sports, while acting helps him build his own identity.
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(UPDATED November 13, 2026 15:01 UTC)
Ray Nicholson says he and father Jack share little conversation beyond their love of Lakers basketball. A serious football injury and MRSA infection helped steer Ray toward acting instead. Studying filmmaking at USC helped him build his own identity beyond his famous father.