Jack Nicholson became a counterculture icon through indie films, notably his Oscar-nominated role in Easy Rider. He starred in classic New Hollywood films like Chinatown and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, but his most famous performance came in Stanley Kubrick’s horror masterpiece, The Shining. Nicholson played Jack Torrance, a writer spiraling into madness at the haunted Overlook Hotel. The film’s production was notorious, especially for Shelley Duvall’s emotional struggles under Kubrick’s demanding direction. Nicholson, meanwhile, faced Kubrick’s intensity but also had moments of levity, such as being caught watching Wimbledon instead of resting.
(Credits: Far Out / Warner Bros.)
Jack Nicholson established himself as a counterculture icon upon entering the film industry, collaborating with indie legends like Roger Corman and even penning screenplays, including the psychedelic film The Trip. However, his breakout role came in Dennis Hopper’s Easy Rider, earning him an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of George.
Following this, Nicholson starred in numerous classic films from the New Hollywood era, such as Five Easy Pieces, The Last Detail, Chinatown, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Yet, one of his most iconic performances emerged in 1980 with The Shining. It was only a matter of time before the legendary filmmaker Stanley Kubrick collaborated with Nicholson, but many were surprised that they chose to create a horror film together.
While Nicholson honed his craft in various low-budget horror films during the late 1950s and 1960s, Kubrick had never directed an outright horror movie before. Nonetheless, the filmmaker showcased his mastery across genres, producing one of the most celebrated horror films of all time. In The Shining, Nicholson portrayed Jack, a troubled writer who, along with his wife and son, takes on the role of caretaker at the Overlook Hotel. There, he encounters ghostly figures and gradually loses touch with reality, transforming into a ruthless psychopath.
The film is notorious for its tumultuous behind-the-scenes events, particularly concerning Shelley Duvall, who played Wendy. She endured emotional trauma due to Kubrick’s treatment, which included forcing her to perform lengthy and exhausting takes of distressing scenes, often leaving her in tears. Duvall recounted to The Hollywood Reporter, “You just think about something very sad in your life or how much you miss your family or friends. But eventually, your body revolts. It says: ‘Stop doing this to me. I don’t want to cry every day.’ And sometimes, just that thought alone would make me cry.”
While Kubrick’s treatment of Nicholson differed from that of Duvall, he did subject the actor to eating cheese sandwiches daily—a food he despised—hoping to elicit annoyance that would enhance his portrayal of the menacing Jack Torrance. Despite their generally amicable rapport, there were moments that revealed Kubrick’s darker temperament.
In an interview with The Guardian, Bob Tanswell, an electrician on set, recounted an event where he witnessed Kubrick’s frustration with Nicholson. “I’d heard of Stanley Kubrick but didn’t realize how unique he was. He would often do 150 takes of a simple scene,” Tanswell explained. “One time, Jack mentioned he had hurt his back and needed a few days off. That’s a substantial amount of time in a big film shoot, but Stanley permitted it.”
Expecting Nicholson to rest, Kubrick was surprised to discover the actor engaged in other activities. Tanswell continued, “The next day, we were in the sparks room watching Wimbledon when Stanley walked in. He asked what we were doing, and as he turned to look at the screen, there was Jack Nicholson sitting in the crowd with a girl on either side. Stanley lost it.”
It seems Nicholson may have needed a break from Kubrick’s intense approach—although he wasn’t savvy enough to realize he was caught on camera.
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