Jack Nicholson’s Son: Who Ray Nicholson Is

Who Jack Nicholson is

John Joseph Nicholson, born on 22 April 1937, is an American retired actor and filmmaker, widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of the 20th century. He is known for playing charismatic rebels who oppose social structures. His five-decade career brought three Academy Awards, three BAFTAs, six Golden Globe Awards and a Grammy. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for Randle McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and an author with OCD in As Good as It Gets, and Best Supporting Actor for an aging playboy in Terms of Endearment.

Nicholson made his film debut in Roger Corman’s The Cry Baby Killer in 1958 and appeared in Psych-Out, Carnal Knowledge, The King of Marvin Gardens, The Passenger, The Missouri Breaks, The Shining, Broadcast News, Batman, Hoffa, Mars Attacks!, Anger Management, Something’s Gotta Give, The Departed and The Bucket List. He also appeared in The Little Shop of Horrors. As a director, he made Drive, He Said, Goin’ South and The Two Jakes, and he wrote Head. He was among the actors nominated for acting in films made in every decade from the 1960s to the 2000s.

Who Ray Nicholson is

Raymond Nicholson, born on 20 February 1992, is an American actor from Los Angeles. He is the son of Jack Nicholson and actress Rebecca Broussard. His occupation is American actor, and he became widely recognised for starring in the horror film Smile 2 in 2024.

Nicholson’s breakthrough came after he was cast in Smile 2 by Parker Finn. The role was an homage to Jack Torrance, the character his father played in The Shining. His connection to the Jack Nicholson role formed part of the attention surrounding his performance in the film.

The relationship between Ray and Jack Nicholson

The relationship is documented directly: Ray Nicholson is the son of Jack Nicholson and Rebecca Broussard. Ray was born in 1992, while Jack Nicholson’s public career began with his film debut in 1958. The two are therefore identified in public biographies as father and son rather than as colleagues or unrelated actors.

A published profile described Ray Nicholson as the son of actor Jack Nicholson and actress Rebecca Broussard. That profile also identified his work in Smile 2 and the way the film referred to his father’s role in The Shining. His public profile has therefore developed around both his own acting and his family connection to Jack Nicholson.

Jack Nicholson’s wider family

Jack was born in Neptune City, New Jersey, on 22 April 1937, as the son of a showgirl. His mother was of Irish, English, German and Welsh descent. Nicholson has identified as Irish and compared himself with the playwright Eugene O’Neill, whom he played in Reds.

Caleb Goddard is also identified as Jack Nicholson’s son. No dates are recorded for Caleb Goddard in the family information available here. Ray Nicholson and Caleb Goddard are therefore both listed in relation to Jack Nicholson, with Ray’s birth date given as 20 February 1992.

Ray Nicholson’s work outside the family connection

Ray Nicholson’s professional work is as an American actor. His recognised acting credit is Smile 2, the horror film released in 2024. That performance established his public profile beyond his status as Jack Nicholson’s son.

The film gave him a role connected to his family history: Parker Finn cast him in an homage to Jack Torrance. Nicholson’s breakthrough followed that casting, and the part brought public attention to both his performance and his relationship with his father.

What has not been publicly reported

Ray Nicholson’s education has not been published. No public account has appeared of his upbringing or his home life with Jack Nicholson and Rebecca Broussard. Details of his work before his breakthrough in Smile 2 have not been published either. His public acting record has centred on his appearance in that film.

No dates have been published for Caleb Goddard’s relationship with Jack Nicholson. Public information about Ray Nicholson’s personal relationships, family routines and activities outside acting has also not been published. The family connection is documented, but those further personal details remain undisclosed.