13 Years After Last Role, Jack Nicholson Would Rather ‘Sit Under A Tree And Read A Book’ Than Accept A Movie Role

Jack Nicholson last appeared as an actor in 2010’s romance movie, How Do You Know? featuring Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, and Owen Wilson. He has since stayed off the big screen and has no plans to come back. Jack’s last role raised his total acting credits to nearly 80.

The movie legend has had an honorable roll call of successful films since his career began in the mid-50s. Some of these classics include Chinatown (1975), One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975), The Shining (1980), and The Departed (2006).

Jack never officially announced his retirement

Jack never officially announced his final bow from Hollywood, but Marc Maron confirmed it on his podcast, with Jack’s friend and famed record producer Lou Adler present. “A friend of mine wanted to put him in a movie. And he had a conversation with him. But Jack says, ‘I don’t want to do it.’ He goes, ‘You know what I did today? I sat under a tree, and I read a book.’” Maron said.

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Adler agreed saying, “That sounds like Jack,” who is “doing whatever he really wants to do.” Jack “wants to be quiet. He wants to eat what he wants. He wants to live the life he wants,” he added. Speaking to Vanity Fair about a decade ago, Jack admitted that he is less motivated to be “out there anymore.”

Any hopes of seeing Jack act again?

While speaking to Vanity Fair in 2013, Jack hinted at the possibility of starring in more films. “The movie business is the greatest business, but I only want to do films that move people, films about emotions and people,” he said while chipping in on his retirement from dating as well. “There were points in my life when I felt oddly irresistible to women. I’m not in that state now, which makes me sad,” the Oscar winner added.

Although the 85-year-old actor appears to enjoy life outside the spotlight, a source revealed he retired against his own will. “There is a simple reason behind his decision— it’s memory loss, quite frankly,” they said, noting that he could hardly recall his lines. The source also revealed that the former actor hardly leaves his home in the Mulholland Drive community in California.