As he turns 80, Jack Nicholson can look back on a career that has spanned over six decades. With iconic roles in Easy Rider, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, The Shining and The Departed to name but a few, he has exhibited an astonishing range in all and remains arguably our greatest living actor. This comprehensive biography explores Nicholson's life with the help and cooperation of many of his Hollywood associates. Born in 1937 in New Jersey, he was raised, unbeknownst to him, by his grandparents, who had agreed to raise their teenage daughter's child. It was just the beginning of his journey from humble beginnings to award-winning success and multiple high-profile relationships with Hollywood's most glamorous women. The most nominated male actor in Academy Award history and a true bon viveur, Nicholson has lived the most extraordinary of lives. John Parker delves into the life of this fascinating man, discovering that far more lies beneath the surface than one might think.