News | Entertainment
6 Jan 2026 15:06
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
     06 Jan: Idris Elba has been knighted by King Charles
     06 Jan: Chappell Roan has insisted she does "not condone" Brigitte Bardot's views after paying tribute to the late actress
     06 Jan: Macaulay Culkin is "technically" retired from acting
     06 Jan: Beyonce has achieved billionaire status
     06 Jan: Cynthia Erivo doesn't "eat anything on planes" because she wants to preserve her voice
     06 Jan: Britney Spears has sent a sarcastic Christmas message to her family
     06 Jan: Amanda Seyfried sees strong similarities between herself and Sydney Sweeney
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    It's au revoir for AJ Lam after the upcoming Super Rugby season More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Don't expect house prices to skyrocket this year, like they have in years prior More...



     Today's News

    International:
    Trump attack on Greenland would mean end of NATO, says Danish leader 14:57

    Law and Order:
    Search efforts are continuing for a missing tramper Connor Purvis in the Southern Alps 14:57

    Entertainment:
    Idris Elba has been knighted by King Charles 14:53

    Politics:
    US cuts number of vaccines recommended for children including flu, hepatitis A and B 14:37

    Entertainment:
    Chappell Roan has insisted she does "not condone" Brigitte Bardot's views after paying tribute to the late actress 14:23

    International:
    Before Venezuela there was Panama and the first US capture of a Latin American leader 14:07

    Cricket:
    The Aces are rattling up the runs in their T20 Super Smash encounter against the Volts in Auckland 14:07

    Entertainment:
    Macaulay Culkin is "technically" retired from acting 13:53

    Law and Order:
    Police are door-knocking in Lower Hutt after a child wearing just a nappy and singlet was found wandering on a busy suburban road 13:47

    Business:
    Don't expect house prices to skyrocket this year, like they have in years prior 13:37


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd