He’s one of the wealthiest and most acclaimed actors in Hollywood.
Thanks to his high-paying movie salaries and lucrative backend deals, Jack Nicholson has amassed an astonishing fortune of $US400 million ($A615 million).
A considerable amount of the star’s wealth stems from his $US100 million ($A153 million) real estate portfolio.
The three-time Oscar winner built quite a property collection on the back of his clever salary negotiation for Tim Burton’s 1989 film Batman.
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Jack Nicholson has amassed an astonishing fortune of $US400 million ($A615 million).
Here’s a look at the movie icon’s homes, his Batman deal and reclusive life.
Mulholland Drive Compound
Nicholson’s main residence is a plush mansion on Mulholland Drive in Beverly Hills.
Nicknamed “Bad Boy Drive”, the Hollywood legend lives in the same neighbourhood as his close friends and fellow actors Warren Beatty and the late Marlon Brando.
The One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest star, who calls his address “Bad Boy Hill”, bought the home in 1969 for $US5 million ($A7.6 million). The residence is said to be now worth $US10 million ($A15 million).
According to Hello, the compound features numerous properties and spans across three acres.
Over the years, Nicholson snapped up neighbouring houses, including Brando’s estate which he purchased in 2005.
The main pad boasts four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a pool.
Jack Nicholson’s Beverly Hills home in 1996. Picture: Getty
Nicholson’s other property moves
Besides his main Los Angeles base, Nicholson owns properties in areas like Santa Monica and Venice.
For a private getaway, he has a large 70-acre ranch in Malibu with ocean views. He also owns a beachfront home in Kailua, Hawaii.
The award-winning actor offloaded a 28-acre estate in Malibu for $US3.5 million ($A5.3 million) in 2011, after being listed for $US4.25 million ($A6.5 million).
Purchased in 1977, the residence features a tennis court, putting green, pool, a grotto-style spa, and a separate caretaker home.
The award-winning actor offloaded a 28-acre estate in Malibu for $US3.5 million in 2011. Picture: Realtor
The Few Good Men star’s other notable properties was Newberry House in Aspen, which he co-owned with producer Lou Adler.
The home served as a retreat for the two friends where they could watch Los Angeles Lakers games with better TV reception.
The pair purchased the dwelling in 1980 for $US550,000 ($A842 million) and sold it in 2013 for $US11 million ($A16.8 million).
The Few Good Men star’s other notable properties was Newberry House in Aspen, which he co-owned with producer Lou Adler. Picture: Picture: TopTenRealEstateDeals
Nicholson’s savvy Batman deal
A significant chunk of funding for this real estate portfolio comes from Nicholson’s legendary role as The Joker in Batman.
When Warner Bros. approached him for the part, the actor took a massive gamble.
Instead of demanding his usual $US10 million ($A15 million) upfront fee, he agreed to take $US6 million ($A9 million) in exchange for a slice of the film’s box office gross, merchandise sales, and earnings from future sequels.
Batman earned $US411 million ($A629 million) worldwide at the box office, making it one of the highest-grossing movies of the decade.
Jack Nicholson as the Joker and Michael Keaton as Batman in 1989 film Batman.
The movie also became a merchandising juggernaut. Toys, T-shirts, lunch boxes, posters, and Joker-branded collectibles flooded the market, bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars in licensing revenue.
With Batman’s success, Nicholson’s back-end deal exploded. The A-lister’s biographer Marc Eliot estimated the star walked away with closer to $US90 million ($A138 million) from the blockbuster film.
The eye-watering payday made Nicholson the highest-paid actor for a single movie at the time, making it one of the most lucrative deals in Hollywood history.
Film maker Tim Burton, a Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition at ACMI, 2010 Batman (1989) Directed by Tim Burton Shown: Jack Nicholson (as The Joker)
Nicholson’s ‘reclusive’ life
While he may call Hollywood home, Nicholson now lives a life far away from the spotlight.
The movie legend has become reclusive in recent years and prefers an off the grid lifestyle.
These days the actor spends most of his time in Mulholland Drive, the New York Post reports.
Multiple sources told RadarOnline in 2023 that the Chinatown star “doesn’t leave his house anymore”
“He’s made it clear his home is his castle. But people just wish he’d come out of the house and pop up to tell them how – or at least reassure folks he’s OK,” a source told the outlet.
“Jack’s in touch with certain relatives – especially Ray, his protégé, who he’s so proud of – but his socialising days are long gone,” the insider added, referring to the actor’s 33-year-old son whom he shares with ex-girlfriend Rebecca Broussard.
Jack Nicholson makes a rare appearance at the SNL50 celebrations. Picture: NBC
Jack Nicholson with daughter Lorraine. Picture: Instagram
Back in 2021, sources concerned about Nicholson’s wellbeing told RadarOnline that Ray and sister Lorraine have been “looking after him.”
“The Mulholland Drive community is pretty close-knit, and they are all worried about him,” an insider said at the time, adding that “physically he is fine – but his mind is gone.”
“It’s really sad to see such a super-talented actor, like Jack, go out this way.”
It’s understood that the actor is currently single and is living alone.
Nicholson was married to Sandra Knight for six years, tying the knot in 1962.
His longest relationship was with actress Anjelica Huston. The pair dated from 1973 until their romance crumbled in 1990.
He has had several long-term partners – his last being Lara Flynn Boyle, who he split from in 2004.
Jack Nicholson and then-girlfriend and mother of his two children Rebecca Broussard.
Jack Nicholson’s longest relationship was with actress Anjelica Huston.
Nicholson’s friend Lou Adler shed light on The Shining star’s current focus during an episode of the WTF with Marc Mason podcast when he said he “wants to be quiet”.
Marc added: “A friend of mine wanted to put him in a movie. And he had a conversation with him.
But Jack says, ‘I don’t want to do it.’ He goes, ‘You know what I did today? I sat under a tree and I read a book.’”Lou remarked: “That sounds like Jack.”
He then added: “Jack is doing whatever he really wants to do. He wants to be quiet. He wants to eat what he wants. He wants to live the life he wants.”
Parts of this story first appeared in the New York Post and was republished with permission.
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