News | Entertainment
14 Feb 2026 22:50
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Jack Nicholson told his son Ray to "be true to yourself" for a successful career in Hollywood

    The 87-year-old film legend may have stepped away from making movies after a lengthy time in the spotlight and while his 33-year-old son thinks the industry is very different now to when his dad was working, he revealed some important words of wisdom he received from the 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' star that always stuck with him


    Ray told 'Extra': "I think that the most important thing is that I find my way.

    "You know, he came up at a completely different time than I did.

    "Filmmakers are different, everything is different, but I think that 'to thine own self be true' is the most important thing, and that's what he left with me is just, whatever it is, be true to yourself."

    Ray can next be seen in 'Novocaine' - which follows credit union assistant manager Nathan Caine (Jack Quaid) in his attempts to rescue his co-worker and crush Sherry Margrave (Amber Midthunder) after she was kidnapped by bank robbers - and had a great time playing gang leader Simon Greenly.

    He said: "Being a heel is the most fun."

    Despite his dad being his inspiration, Ray previously insisted he is "very different" to his 'The Shining' icon dad.

    The 'Smile 2' actor told Deadline: "We're very different people. I was born in 1992, he was born in 1937. 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."

    Ray - whose first experience in acting came with a small role in the 2006 sports comedy 'The Benchwarmers' - also admitted that he does not go to him for film advice.

    The 'Out of the Blue' star added: "As far as talking about it, if he ever did tell me something, I probably wouldn't investigate it for myself because I'd be like, 'You're the best, of course, that's right,' and it might not work for me.

    "I love him. He's also my hero. I'm the luckiest kid in the world."

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     14 Feb: Lindsey Vonn is recovering after undergoing a third surgery following her frightening crash at the Winter Olympics
     14 Feb: James Van Der Beek was reportedly working on a memoir prior to his death
     14 Feb: Alfonso Ribeiro will "always be there" for James Van Der Beek's kids following the actor's death
     14 Feb: Authorities believe Savannah Guthrie's missing mother Nancy is still alive
     14 Feb: Bijou Phillips has launched an urgent appeal to find a kidney donor
     14 Feb: Stacy Keibler says it was a "gift from God" to be with James Van Der Beek in his "final days"
     14 Feb: James Van Der Beek's widow has launched a GoFundMe
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Blues fullback Zarn Sullivan has fresh motivation heading into the Super Rugby Pacific season More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    OpenAI has deleted the word ‘safely’ from its mission – and its new structure is a test for whether AI serves society or shareholders More...



     Today's News

    Environment:
    The North Island is suffering another weekend of weather chaos and it may be in for more 21:57

    Entertainment:
    Lindsey Vonn is recovering after undergoing a third surgery following her frightening crash at the Winter Olympics 21:51

    Entertainment:
    James Van Der Beek was reportedly working on a memoir prior to his death 21:21

    Environment:
    A warning for those in weather affected zones to be vigilant as it starts to get dark 21:17

    Skiing:
    Valentino Guseli thought he saw an 'omen from the shred gods' during the 2026 Winter Olympics halfpipe final 21:07

    Entertainment:
    Alfonso Ribeiro will "always be there" for James Van Der Beek's kids following the actor's death 20:51

    Entertainment:
    Authorities believe Savannah Guthrie's missing mother Nancy is still alive 20:21

    Entertainment:
    Bijou Phillips has launched an urgent appeal to find a kidney donor 19:51

    Entertainment:
    Stacy Keibler says it was a "gift from God" to be with James Van Der Beek in his "final days" 19:21

    Health & Safety:
    Two sailors have been hospitalised after a nasty crash between the Black Foils and France, forcing the cancellation of racing for the day at the Auckland Sail GP event 18:57


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd