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

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.

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

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.

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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.”

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.

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.