Okay movie fans you know Jack Nicholson right? Hollywood legend iconic smile those famous eyebrows? Well meet his son Ray Nicholson who is stepping into the spotlight and carving out his own acting career. And get this people keep telling him he looks like someone else entirely... Let's dive in!
'You Look Like Leo!' Ray Nicholson Gets Mistaken for DiCaprio (and Sebastian Stan!) Not Just Dad Jack
Ray Nicholson has that Nicholson smile for sure. But according to Ray when people recognize him they are not usually saying "Hey you are Jack Nicholson's son!" Instead he told People magazine that most folks think he looks like... Leonardo DiCaprio. Yes Leo! Or sometimes even Sebastian Stan .
Ray said "Mostly people are like you look like Leo . Or 'You look like Sebastian Stan. I thought you were Sebastian Stan!'" He finds it kind of funny especially since he does share such a strong resemblance to his dad Jack. But hey Leo and Sebastian Stan are not bad look-alikes to have right?
Bad Guy with a Funny Side: Ray Nicholson on His Role in Action Thriller 'Novocaine'
Ray is currently starring in a new movie called Novocaine . It is an action-packed thriller alongside Jack Quaid. In the movie Ray plays a bank robber and things go south real fast. His character ends up leaving a trail of chaos and well death.
Ray said making Novocaine was "so fun". He enjoyed playing the villain role but he made an interesting choice. He decided to make his bad guy funny. Ray explained "I like that likability in the characters because I think it makes for better entertainment to be honest when you don't know who to root for." A villain you kind of like? Sounds intriguing.
From Normal Guy to Actor: Why Ray Nicholson Waited to Embrace Hollywood
So why is Ray Nicholson only really diving into acting now in his early 30s? He is also in another new movie called Borderline. Ray believes "things happen when they are supposed to happen." It sounds like there was not some grand plan it just felt like the right time.
Growing up with a super famous dad like Jack Nicholson meant Ray got a front-row seat to fame and maybe it was not something he initially craved. He admitted "To be honest with you I don't know if this sounds strange or whatever but I just wanted to be normal. I hated the feeling and I really felt this more when I was in college of being a zoo animal." He wanted to avoid feeling like he was just on display.
Dad's Advice? Not So Much. Jack and Rebecca Nicholson's Support is All About Happiness
Did Jack Nicholson give his son tons of acting advice? Not really. Ray said "My dad and I don't talk that much about acting. I think I'd probably hang on to his word too much. You know I think it's important for me to find my way." It seems like Ray wants to forge his own path as an actor without too much influence from his famous father. Though he does recognize that smile is definitely a family trait. His mom Rebecca Broussard even joked "You know Ray you were such a beautiful boy and then you started to look like your father!"
What matters most to Jack and Rebecca? Ray says "Career success is less important to them than how I'm living day to day. My challenges were different than others but that doesn't mean I didn't have them. So I think they're just happy with where I'm at in life as a man rather than with my profession." Their support is focused on his well-being and happiness which is pretty awesome.
Ray Nicholson: Key Facts About the Rising Star
- Son of a Legend: His father is iconic actor Jack Nicholson.
- New Movie: Stars in the action thriller Novocaine and also Borderline.
- Leo Look-Alike?: People often mistake him for Leonardo DiCaprio or Sebastian Stan.
- Bad Guy Fun: Enjoyed playing a funny villain in Novocaine.
- Late Bloomer Actor: Embraced acting career in his early 30s.
- Values Normality: Initially wasn't interested in fame wanting a "normal" life.
- Supportive Parents: Jack Nicholson and Rebecca Broussard prioritize his happiness over career success.
See Ray Nicholson in 'Novocaine' and Watch His Star Rise
So keep an eye on Ray Nicholson. He is not just coasting on his famous last name he is putting in the work and creating his own identity as an actor. Novocaine hits theaters on March 14th so you can check him out as a charmingly bad bank robber. And who knows maybe someday people will be saying Leonardo DiCaprio looks like Ray Nicholson instead! Okay maybe not but Ray is definitely one to watch in Hollywood.