Lorraine Nicholson has opened up about an important period of her childhood years when actress Lara Flynn Boyle became part of her family’s life. She wrote this in a recent Vanity Fair essay, reflecting on her father, Jack Nicholson’s relationship with Boyle in the late 1990s and early 2000s and how the Twin Peaks actress played an unforgettable role in her childhood.
Now 34, Lorraine still vividly remembers the first time her father introduced Lara Flynn Boyle to her and her brother, Ray, and how the family bonded in a way they had never done before because of the actress. She helped them come together through activities, teaching them new habits that their father might not have done on his own.
Jack Nicholson and Lara Flynn Boyle’s relationship
Lorraine Nicholson met Lara Flynn Boyle, now 54, on a day that stuck to her memory over the years. It was a bright day in Los Angeles, she approached them by the pool, the sunlight reflecting off the water, and the sound of wind chimes filled the air.
Even though she was a young girl, Lorraine was immediately struck by Boyle’s presence. She could sense that Boyle was someone special. She also recalled that her father, Jack Nicholson’s home, was solemn, different from the liveliness of their mother, Rebecca Broussard’s house.
According to his daughter, Jack Nicholson, now 87, struggled to relate with younger children even though he adored women. He did not enjoy playing with dolls, so there was a distance between him and the children. But Boyle’s presence changed the narrative.
Lara Flynn Boyle’s influence on Lorraine Nicholson
Lara Flynn Boyle played Barbies with Lorraine and stayed close when she had bad dreams. She also helped Lorraine deal with the uncertainties of adolescence. The family visited the Colorado River and had fun together because of Boyle.
However, even as a child, Lorraine sensed that her father’s relationship with the actress may not last. When the relationship eventually ended, so did Lorraine’s connection to Boyle. They have not seen each other in more than 20 years, yet she carries her influence all around.