For ten years Jack Nicholson toiled in low-budget films and guest spots in such television shows as Dr. Kildare and The Andy Griffith Show before his breakout performance in Easy Rider. Despite “retiring” in 2010, Nicholson remains one of the most revered actors of the last half century. Nominated for twelve Academy Awards—the most of any male actor—Nicholson has received three Oscars and countless other honors. The Essential Jack Nicholson looks at the key films in the career of one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. After a brief profile of the actor, James L. Neibaur highlights each of Nicholson’s most important works, explaining why his performances are essential viewing. In addition to Easy Rider, the films discussed include Five Easy Pieces, The Last Detail, Chinatown, One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, The Shining, Reds, Terms of Endearment, Prizzi’s Honor, Ironweed, Batman, A Few Good Men, As Good as It Gets, About Schmidt, and The Departed. Neibaur also provides details about each film’s production, critical reaction, commercial reception, major nominations, and awards. A filmography of all of Nicholson’s movie roles (and select television performances) is also included. The Essential Jack Nicholson is a valuable source of information for fans of this iconic star and his films.

Base examines the complex chemistry of movie stardom--a potent mix of greed and cunning, ego and casting, dedication and just plain dumb luck.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Fifth Avenue, Five A.M. and Fosse comes the revelatory account of the making of a modern American masterpiece Chinatown is the Holy Grail of 1970s cinema. Its twist ending is the most notorious in American film and its closing line of dialogue the most haunting. Here for the first time is the incredible true story of its making. In Sam Wasson's telling, it becomes the defining story of the most colorful characters in the most colorful period of Hollywood history. Here is Jack Nicholson at the height of his powers, as compelling a movie star as there has ever been, embarking on his great, doomed love affair with Anjelica Huston. Here is director Roman Polanski, both predator and prey, haunted by the savage death of his wife, returning to Los Angeles, the scene of the crime, where the seeds of his own self-destruction are quickly planted. Here is the fevered dealmaking of "The Kid" Robert Evans, the most consummate of producers. Here too is Robert Towne's fabled script, widely considered the greatest original screenplay ever written. Wasson for the first time peels off layers of myth to provide the true account of its creation. Looming over the story of this classic movie is the imminent eclipse of the '70s filmmaker-friendly studios as they gave way to the corporate Hollywood we know today. In telling that larger story, The Big Goodbye will take its place alongside classics like Easy Riders, Raging Bulls and The Devil's Candy as one of the great movie-world books ever written. Praise for Sam Wasson: "Wasson is a canny chronicler of old Hollywood and its outsize personalities...More than that, he understands that style matters, and, like his subjects, he has a flair for it." - The New Yorker "Sam Wasson is a fabulous social historian because he finds meaning in situations and stories that would otherwise be forgotten if he didn't sleuth them out, lovingly." - Hilton Als

When Jack Nicholson needed to lose the twenty-five pounds he'd gained to portray the lead character in the film Hoffa in order to star in Wolf, he called on his longtime pal, chef Tommy Baratta. The "Jack Nicholson Diet", now on the menu of Baratta's popular Greenwich Village restaurant, Marylou's, is the basis for the simple, low-fat, yet soul-satisfying recipes in Cooking for Jack. To help Jack slim down, Tommy drew on the philosophy that fine Italian food means fresh ingredients, simply prepared, and he created a powerhouse repertoire of quick, full-flavored dishes that are low in fat and calories. Eating Tommy's way, Jack dropped those extra pounds - and so did Tommy! Cooking for Jack includes more that one hundred of the recipes that keep Jack lean and energized, from breakfasts such as Basic Frittata and No Problem French Toast to his favorite dessert, a luscious but light Rice Pudding with rum-soaked raisins.

This book is your ultimate Jack Nicholson resource. Here you will find the most up-to-date information, facts, quotes and much more. In easy to read chapters, with extensive references and links to get you to know all there is to know about Jack Nicholson's whole picture right away. Get countless Jack Nicholson facts right at your fingertips with this essential resource. The Jack Nicholson Handbook is the single and largest Jack Nicholson reference book. This compendium of information is the authoritative source for all your entertainment, reference, and learning needs. It will be your go-to source for any Jack Nicholson questions. A mind-tickling encyclopedia on Jack Nicholson, a treat in its entirety and an oasis of learning about what you don't yet know...but are glad you found. The Jack Nicholson Handbook will answer all of your needs, and much more.

Here are NICHOLSON's most essential quotations culled from as wide a variety of source materials available. They have been compiled, edited and carefully selected for inclusion in this book by that well-known Quote Monger, Andrew Delaplaine. The original illustrations are by his sister, Renee. Learn about the man's wit and wisdom from his very own words.