Jack Nicholson Is 87: 15 Candid Photos from His Smoldering Early ...

Celebrate the Oscar winner's latest milestone with a look back at some of his best throwback photos

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Jack Nicholson in 1972

Could Jack Nicholson be any cooler?

The Oscar-winning actor turns 87 years old on April 22, 2024, and though newer fans might know him for his horror hits and his near-permanent spot at Lakers games, he's been in the actual game for decades, picking up his first feature film at just 21 years old and not slowing down since.

In honor of the actor's latest milestone, we're throwing it back to those early days and roles, when Nicholson's ever-present charm was fully on display at all times. Check out some of his best vintage photos from his early career and red carpets.

Jack Nicholson was just 21 when his film The Cry Baby Killer — costarring Carolyn Mitchell, pictured — was released in 1958.

Did you know Jack Nicholson played guitar? Well, he did at least in 1964's Ensign Pulver.

Richard Rush, Susan Strasberg and Jack Nicholson shined in their trippy 1967 film Psych-Out.

Wanna ride? Jack Nicholson's charm was on full display in 1967's Hells Angels on Wheels.

Often a romantic lead, Jack Nicholson shared the screen with Karen Black in 1970's Five Easy Pieces.

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Jack Nicholson in 1970's Easy Rider

Jack Nicholson was ready for his closeup in 1970's Easy Rider.

Jack Nicholson had all the right vibes during a star-studded 1972 rally for Senator George McGovern at N.Y.C.'s Madison Square Garden.

Jack Nicholson's spirit was on display as he arrived to the Motion Picture Relief Fund auction at Columbia Ranch in California in the summer of 1972.

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Jack Nicholson in 1972

Jack Nicholson walked the 1972 Academy Awards red carpet with singer/actress Michelle Phillips (left) and actress Sally Kellerman.

Ann Marshall, Jack Nicholson's assistant, accompanied the dressed-up star to the opening of an art exhibition at the De Vorzon Gallery in L.A. in December of 1973.

For 1974's Chinatown, Jack Nicholson donned a three-piece suit and cap while shooting in Los Angeles the year prior.

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Jack Nicholson in 1974's Chinatown

His part in 1974's Chinatown also found him entangled with none other than Faye Dunaway.

Anjelica Huston and Jack Nicholson were one cool couple at the 1976 boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Ken Norton at N.Y.C.'s Yankee Stadium.

An elated Jack Nicholson picked up his first Best Actor Oscar at the 1976 awards for his work in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

Bettmann Archive Jack Nicholson in 1976

In his acceptance speech, Jack Nicholson in part thanked his agent, joking, "Who about 10 years ago advised me that I had no business being an actor. Thank you."

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