News | Entertainment
20 Jan 2026 14:30
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
     20 Jan: Johnny Knoxville can no longer be hit over the head during Jackass stunts, after suffering a brain haemorrhage
     20 Jan: Tom Brady has described his divorce from Gisele Bundchen as "a challenge"
     20 Jan: Ben Affleck hopes his kids "don't waste their life acting"
     19 Jan: Roger Allers, co-director of The Lion King, dies aged 76
     18 Jan: Teddi Mellencamp is "really sick" - months after she revealed her cancer had become "undetectable"
     18 Jan: Ashton Kutcher is "so proud" of his ex-wife Demi Moore in The Substance
     18 Jan: Lo Bosworth has given birth two weeks early
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Don't be surprised if the coaching nous of Scott Robertson is lured to the UK More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    A two million dollar prize purse will again be offered for the 105th New Zealand Golf Open More...



     Today's News

    Accident and Emergency:
    Spain high-speed train crash: signalling vulnerabilities could be key to understanding the accident 14:17

    International:
    Morocco accepts Trump's invite to 'peace' board as Putin yet to decide 14:17

    Entertainment:
    Johnny Knoxville can no longer be hit over the head during Jackass stunts, after suffering a brain haemorrhage 14:10

    Basketball:
    The Breakers are assessing their roster options after confirmation American import Rob Baker is out for the rest of the NBL basketball season 14:07

    Soccer:
    All Whites coach Darren Bazeley's welcoming a rare opportunity ahead of this year's Football World Cup 14:07

    Business:
    A two million dollar prize purse will again be offered for the 105th New Zealand Golf Open 13:47

    Entertainment:
    Tom Brady has described his divorce from Gisele Bundchen as "a challenge" 13:40

    Entertainment:
    Ben Affleck hopes his kids "don't waste their life acting" 13:10

    National:
    Sexualised deepfakes on X are a sign of things to come. NZ law is already way behind 13:07

    Law and Order:
    In Iran, Elon Musk's Starlink helped citizens get messages beyond the 'digital prison' 13:07


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd