1982: JACK NICHOLSON on BRANDO, KUBRICK and declining THE GODFATHER | Film 82 | Movies | BBC Archive

"I understand you turned down The Godfather and The Sting?"

Academy Award winning actor Jack Nicholson is interviewed by Ian Johnstone on his acting career.

He talks about turning down the lead role in The Godfather, working with Marlon Brando and Stanley Kubrick, and the inspiration behind his accent in Easy Rider. He also recounts some of his early forays into the world of acting.

During the interview, Nicholson receives a phone call from his partner Anjelica Huston about their plans for dinner that evening.

Clip taken from Film 82 Special: Jack Nicholson, originally broadcast on BBC One, Monday 18 January, 1982.

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[snshull]

Articulate, confident, charismatic, engaging and certainly not aloof. Gotta love Jack Nicholson.

[christianmatheron]

After the call, seamlessly back into giving the intelligent answer he had started with. Class act.

[robertacolarette]

I love how he looked into the camera at the beginning. So quintessentially Jack. He’s so relaxed like he knows something you don’t. He’s always been “the man” to me. Completely unique.

[cfg]

He has a unique voice. No one sounds like Jack.

[chrysopylaedesign]

He's so comfortable w/ himself; naturally charismatic.

[Gutenmorgenside]

Just as charismatic off-screen as he was on. A unique character.

[Maza]

This is just like his interview in the Shining

[BigBoss-ziss]

He went right back to into his answer after the phone call...pretty impressive

[ieuancilgwri]

That first little gesture to the camera 0:17 - pure Nicholson 😂

[charold]

One of Jack’s best interviews, and a bonus of a private conversation with Ms Huston!

[billwhite]

Intelligent, relaxedly pleasant and unadorned. My type of man. Good on you jack.

[wildwine]

When you see the few scenes on his big screen debut in Easy Rider, you can tell he was special. He stole the screen every time. Naturally charismatic

[kailuakidd]

The guy is legendary. Great interview.

[jtr]

Great interview. No really stupid question and Jack is allowed to talk.

[JarrodButali]

Probably has the coolest voice of any actor.

[aqynbc]

How lucky we have been to watch him during all those years. Legend.

[Redmartian]

The moment he takes that phone call, you can just see why this guy became an actor. So captivating, especially his voice.

[lemorab]

Well, looking at this certainly makes me realize that 1979-1980 was a long time ago. I miss seeing and hearing Jack Nicholson. I hope he is doing okay, wherever he lives now, Mulholland or Malibu? We miss you, Jack. Your like will not be seen again. Thank you so much for this clip!

[petemc]

Nicholson did some stunning early films, and 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' is the big one.

[Guigley]

Jack Nicholson will always be one of the greatest actors America ever produced.