Ray Nicholson, son of Jack Nicholson, grew up as a charming, dimple-cheeked boy with a love for football. Now 32, he’s making waves in Hollywood with roles that highlight his unique talent and striking resemblance to his father.
Jack Nicholson is one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors, with a career spanning decades and iconic roles that defined an era. But these days, the spotlight is also on his son, Raymond “Ray” Nicholson, who is steadily carving out his own place in the industry.
Jack Nicholson at the 43rd Annual Academy Awards Governor’s Ball in 1971. | Source: Getty Images
The budding actor has also made waves for his appearance. From his days as an adorable boy to his evolution as a mature 32-year-old actor, take a closer look at the resemblance that had everyone talking.
Jack Nicholson on the set of “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” in 1975. | Source: Getty Images
Meet Ray Nicholson
Born in 1992 to iconic actor Jack Nicholson and actress Rebecca Broussard, Ray grew up in a family that blended Hollywood’s glamour with a relatively grounded upbringing. In his younger years, he stood out with his striking features — dark hair, piercing blue eyes, and an undeniable cuteness.
Rebecca Broussard and Jack Nicholson with their children Ray and Lorraine at the grand opening of Disney’s California Adventure at Disneyland on February 5, 2001. | Source: Getty Images
Jack, famously private about his personal life, once spoke candidly about his approach to fatherhood and his relationship with his children. “Well, it’s a divided parenthood, with their wonderful mother and myself,” he shared.
Ray Nicholson with his sister and father at the Los Angeles premiere of “About Schmidt” in 2002. | Source: Getty Images
“We’ve always gotten along. I want to be inspirational, or some kind of good influence on them without overburdening them. It’s their time of life to find out who they are,” the Hollywood star added.
Ray Nicholson at the premiere of “Something’s Gotta Give” in 2003 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
The iconic actor also described his efforts to expose Ray and his siblings to diverse experiences, saying, “I always read to them, from childhood on; I think that’s a father’s responsibility. I took them to things I knew they might not love — opera, ballet. They like going to the ball games with me.”
Jack and Ray Nicholson at Game 2 of the 2004 NBA Finals between the Detroit Pistons and the Los Angeles Lakers on June 8 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
His pride in Ray was unmistakable, particularly when discussing his son’s passion for football. “Ray is fab. He gave up a summer trip to the south of France to get himself in condition because he very much wanted to make the varsity football team, which he did,” Jack said.
Jack, Lorraine, and Ray Nicholson at The 78th Annual Academy Awards in 2006. | Source: Getty Images
“He’s the youngest guy on the varsity. But in the last practice, he broke his collarbone. And even with this, he got up every day at six, went to practice,” the “As Good as It Gets” star added.
“Ray might not tell you exactly what he’s up to, but once he’s got his mind set on something, he’s gonna stick to it and take care of business, no matter what me or anybody else says,” he continued.
Ray Nicholson with his dad at an NBA game at Staples Center on November 9, 2008, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Ray’s dedication paid off, leading him to play varsity footballduring his time at Brown University. However, as years passed, his aspirations shifted toward acting — a passion that had always lingered beneath the surface. “I always wanted to be an actor, you know?” he revealed during an interview.
Ray Nicholson at a basketball game at Staples Center on March 6, 2014, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
In his budding career, he worked as both an actor and assistant director, gaining recognition for roles in projects such as “The Benchwarmers” in 2006, “Licorice Pizza” in 2021, and “Out of the Blue” in 2022.
Jack and Ray Nicholson at Apollo in the Hamptons at The Creeks on August 16, 2014. | Source: Getty Images
Speaking about the latter, Ray expressed his enthusiasm for the script, saying, “[…] I got the scripts and I just thought it was incredible. […] It was so sexy, it was funny, it had these whole elements, and then I had the opportunity to work with [writer and director Neil LaBute] and [actress Diane Kruger].”
Jack and Ray Nicholson at a basketball game between the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers on October 28, 2014, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Jack and Ray Nicholson at a basketball game at Staples Center on March 6, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
More recently, Ray earned a role in the 2024 horror sequel “Smile 2,” which has fans buzzing. The film follows global pop star Skye Riley, played by Naomi Scott, as she contends with a haunting, sinister figure.
Jack and Ray Nicholson at a basketball game between the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on November 4, 2016. | Source: Getty Images
Ray Nicholson photographed at a basketball game on January 20, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Ray portrayed Paul Hudson, Skye’s boyfriend, and his character’s unnerving smile drew immediate comparisons to his father’s legendary performance in “The Shining.” While promoting “Smile 2,” Ray addressed questions about his resemblance to his father, particularly their shared sinister smile.
Jack and Ray Nicholson at a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors on January 21, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Ray Nicholson photographed on February 1, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Reflecting on these comparisons, Ray remarked, “Well, our faces do look alike, you know. We’re related, so…” He once also humorously noted, “My mom says, ‘Ray, you were such a beautiful boy, and then you started to look like your father.'”
Jack and Ray Nicholson at a basketball game on April 4, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Ray Nicholson at the Chanel dinner celebrating Gabrielle Chanel Essence With Margot Robbie event on September 12, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
The young star further opened up about having a Hollywood icon for a father and revealed, “My dad and I don’t talk that much about acting… I think it’s important for me to find my way.” “We’re very different people. I was born in 1992 [and] he was born in 1937,” Ray shared during an interview.
Ray Nicholson spotted on September 23, 2019, in Los Angeles. | Source: Getty Images
Ray Nicholson photographed on December 1, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
“The things that affect me don’t necessarily affect him. Obviously, I love him. He’s my inspiration. I ate dinner with him every night. I studied it, that’s how I learned to be a human being. So, of course, we’re gonna be kind of similar,” he continued.
Lou Adler and Ray Nicholson at a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on December 25, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Ray Nicholson at a basketball game on November 6, 2022, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Over the years, his appearance has evolved from the angelic, curly-haired boy of his youth, to a man whose features echo his father’s iconic look. As he jokingly admitted, his mother’s observation about his resemblance to Jack is spot on.
Ray Nicholson at game four of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs on April 24, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Ray Nicholson spotted on April 24, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Outside of acting, Ray is part of a large family, with five siblings, including Jennifer, Caleb, Lorraine, Honey, and Duke Nicholson. Each has forged their unique paths while maintaining close bonds.
On the personal front, the “Smile 2” star has been in a relationship with model Sara Sampaio. In February, she shared a sweet tribute to him on Instagram, writing, “My valentine ❤️ how did I get so lucky?”
