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Stories

Before ‘The Shining,’ Jack Nicholson Played Another Role Deemed His ‘Scariest’

by Peace A

Published March 16, 2024

Jack Nicholson scariest role

Jack Nicholson is celebrated for his legendary performances across various genres, particularly his unforgettable roles in horror films. Among his most notable appearances is his portrayal of Jack Torrance in Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 movie The Shining. Nicholson plays the character of Torrance, a writer who grapples with his descent into madness while trapped with his family in a haunted hotel. His portrayal masterfully captured Torrance’s gradual spiral into insanity, leaving an indelible mark on horror cinema.

While The Shining may be considered his breakthrough in scary roles, Nicholson’s earlier contribution to the 1960 Roger Corman-directed horror comedy The Little Shop of Horrors should not be overlooked. It is considered one of the 86-year-old’s scariest performances, showcasing his early talent and versatility in horror cinema.

Related:

  1. ‘Weird’ New Jack Nicholson Details From ‘The Shining’ Surfaces That ‘Nobody Noticed Before’
  2. 13 Years After Last Role, Jack Nicholson Would Rather ‘Sit Under A Tree And Read A Book’ Than Accept A Movie Role

Jack Nicholson’s role in ‘The Little Shop of Horrors’ may be his scariest

Jack Nicholson
THE SHINING, Jack Nicholson, 1980

In The Little Shop of Horrors, Nicholson played Wilbur Force, a masochistic dental patient who enjoys pain. Despite starring in the movie during his early acting career, his talent and screen presence were evident. His ability to fully embody the quirky and bizarre nature of his character added an extra layer of entertainment to the film, and even though the role was relatively small, it left a lasting impression on audiences and critics alike, setting the pace for the distinctive style and charisma that would come to define his later career as one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors.

RELATED: Tim Burton On What He Had To Do To Convince Jack Nicholson To Take Role Of The Joker

Nicholson described how he managed to nail his role in Roger Corman’s book How I Made a Hundred Movies in Hollywood and Never Lost a Dime and revealed that he employed all tactics available to develop his character. “I went into the shoot knowing I had to be very quirky because Roger originally hadn’t wanted me,” he stated. “In other words, I couldn’t play it straight. So I just did a lot of weird shit that I thought would make it funny.”

Jack Nicholson
THE LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Jonathan Haze, Mel Welles, Tammy Windsor, Toby Michaels, Jackie Joseph, 1960

Despite various adaptations of The Little Shop of Horrors, such as the renowned musical and its cinematic versions, Nicholson did not return to reprise his role. Nonetheless, the 86-year-old has persisted in pursuing dark and iconic roles throughout his career.

Jack Nicholson
THE SHINING, Jack Nicholson, 1980

Notably, he portrayed the literal embodiment of evil Daryl Van Horne in The Witches of Eastwick and mesmerized audiences as the quintessential Batman antagonist, the Joker, in Tim Burton’s 1989 rendition of the iconic superhero tale.

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