Updated October 31, 2026, 4:22 p.m. ET
Michael Douglas sheds light on how Jack Nicholson is doing following his unofficial exodus from Hollywood.
During a recent appearance in Swansea, Wales, tied to the release of his debut memoir, “One Helluva Ride,” the 82-year-old actor spoke about his bond with Nicholson, 89, whom he considers a dear friend.
“I would have loved to play with Jack. He’s not working anymore. He’s fine. He’s gone. I know that,” Douglas said, according to The Independent, about Nicholson, who previously starred in the 1975 Douglas-produced classic “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”
Michael Douglas: Jack Nicholson ‘disappeared’ but is ‘fine’
“I still see him, but he’s fine. He’s up there by his house walking around with his slippers on,” Douglas said, adding that retirement “is coming” and Nicholson “deserves” a break after such an illustrious career.
He continued, “I understand. He’s a few years older than me, but I understand.”
USA TODAY has contacted Nicholson’s representatives for comment.
Although Nicholson has never publicly announced his retirement, the three-time Oscar winner has kept a relatively low profile since appearing in the 2010 romantic comedy “How Do You Know.”
In February 2025, Nicholson made a brief appearance on Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary show, quickly appearing on camera to introduce Adam Sandler’s musical performance. Nicholson’s daughter Lorraine shared a rare photo of her Hollywood titan father the following April to commemorate his 89th birthday.
Jack Nicholson is less motivated to “be there”
Nicholson has shed some light on his choice to step away from the world of acting after an unconfirmed report claimed his retirement was a result of memory problems. Speaking to The Sun in 2013, Nicholson explained that the reason he’s been accepting fewer film roles lately is simply because he’s less motivated to “be out there more,” Vanity Fair reported.
“(Cinema) is the biggest business, but I only want to make films that touch people, films about emotions and people,” he told the newspaper at the time.
Nicholson, however, confirmed that he was withdrawing from dating. “The Shining” actor told the publication that he was careful about the women he approached because it “didn’t seem right” to “hit on” women his age.
“There have been times in my life when I have felt strangely irresistible to women,” he said. “I’m not in that state now, which makes me sad.”
Nicholson added, “Now I don’t have any hair below my sock line, and that means you’re getting older, Jackie boy. It’s coming out of my ears instead. I mean, how many times have I cut my earlobes?”
The “Batman” actor said he would “love” one last romance, a real one, but he’s not very optimistic that it will happen. Nicholson was married to actress and painter Sandra Knight for six years, before divorcing in 1968.
“I’m not very realistic about it happening. What I can’t deny is my desire,” he told the Daily Mail in 2011.
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