If you need a separate Wikipedia page just to list all the awards and nominations you have won throughout your illustrious Hollywood career, then you’ve made it.
Jack Nicholson has been one of the best actors in Hollywood since 1960 when Harvey Berman’s The Wild Ride was filmed using only students from one of his high school drama classes as the stars.
That means that for over 50 years, Jack Nicholson has been working in Hollywood, filming some of the most memorable films with some of the best performances ever. With 12 Academy Award nominations, and three wins including two for Best Actor, he has also become the most respected actor in the world.
Today, the legend himself turns 79 years young and we just wanted to honor him by putting together all of his greatest lines from over 50 years of work.
Sorry, had to add that before we got to the list.
20. “You know, this used to be a helluva good country. I can’t understand what’s gone wrong with it.” – George Hanson, Easy Rider (1969)
19. “When you decide to be something, you can be it. That’s what they don’t tell you in the church. When I was your age they would say we can become cops, or criminals. Today, what I’m saying to you is this: when you’re facing a loaded gun, what’s the difference?” – Frank Costello, The Departed (2006)
18. “There are two kinds of angry people, explosive and implosive. Explosive is the type of individual you see screaming at the cashier for not taking his coupon. Implosive is the cashier who remains quiet day after day and then finally shoots everyone in the store. You’re the cashier.” – Buddy Rydell, Anger Management (2003)
17. “You people talkin’ metaphors oughtta shampoo my crouch!” – Melvin Udall, As Good As It Gets (1997)
16. “Nope. Your wife got excited. She crossed her legs a little too quick. You understand what I mean, pal?” – Jake Gittes, Chinatown (1974)
15. “You see Danny, I can deal with the bullets, and the bombs, and the blood. I don’t want money, and I don’t want medals. What I do want is for you to stand there in that faggoty white uniform and with your Harvard mouth extend me some f***ing courtesy. You gotta ask me nicely.” – Marine Colonel Nathan R. Jessup, A Few Good Men (1992)
14. “Ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?” – The Joker, Batman (1989)
13. “What do you think you are, crazy or something? Well, you’re not! You’re not!” – R.P. McMurphy, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
12. “Have I gotta helmet? Ha ha ha!” – George Hanson, Easy Rider (1969)
11. “One of us had to die. With me, it tends to be the other guy.” – Frank Costello, The Departed (2006)
10. “Dear Ndugu.” – Warren R. Schmidt, About Schmidt (2002)
9. “I want you to hold it between your knees.” – Bobby Dupea, Five Easy Pieces (1970)
8. “Do you think God knew what he was doing when he created a woman?” – Daryl Van Horne, The Witches of Eastwick (1987)
7. “He passed away two weeks ago and one week ago he bought the land. That’s unusual.” – Jake Gittes, Chinatown (1974)
6. “I’m not gonna hurt ya, I’m just gonna bash your brains in. Gonna bash ’em right the f*** in!” – Jack Torrance, The Shining (1980)
5. “You make me want to be a better man.” – Melvin Udall, As Good As It Gets (1997)
4. “Where does he get those wonderful toys?” – The Joker, Batman (1989)
3. “Here’s Johnny!” – Jack Torrance, The Shining (1980)
2. “You can’t handle the truth!” – Marine Colonel Nathan R. Jessup, A Few Good Men (1992)
1. “I don’t want to be a product of my environment. I want my environment to be a product of me.” – Frank Costello, The Departed (2006)