WHY HE VANISHED!
Fifteen months have passed since the iconic actor made a public appearance
In 2013, veteran star Jack Nicholson said he didn’t have as much passion “to be out there any more”, but no one suspected he’d disappear from the spotlight completely.
Shirking the movie sets, Hollywood premieres and parties that dominated his life for more than five decades, friends fear the Oscar winner is becoming a recluse, holed up in his Mulholland Drive mansion, high in the hills above Tinseltown.
“He’s made it clear his home is his castle. But people just wish he’d come out of the house and reassure folks he’s OK,” says a source of the 85-year-old actor, who was last seen in October 2021 at a basketball game in LA with his actor son Ray, 30.
“Jack’s in touch with certain relatives, especially Ray, his protege, who he’s so proud of – but his socialising days have long gone,” says the insider of the star, who sources suggest is following in the footsteps of his late Hollywood friend and co-star Marlon Brando, who died a hermit in 2004 after a very “colourful” life.
“It’s like he doesn’t want to face reality any more – and that’s just sad.”
In 2013, Jack stepped back from acting reportedly due to ailing health and dementia. But famous pal Maria Shriver shot down the claims, insisting Jack was “not suffering from any memory-related illness or dementia and has no current plans to retire”.
Another insider insisted at the time the actor was “reading scripts” and “looking forward to his next project” but the Oscar winner hasn’t been in a movie for 13 years.
Jack admitted he was becoming more choosy about his roles. “The movie business is the greatest business but I only want to do films that move people, films about emotions and people,” he said in 2013.
Four years later, his Easy Rider co-star, the late Peter Fonda, confessed Jack was “basically retired”. “I don’t want to speak for him but he’s done a lot of work and he’s done very well financially.”
In 2019, Jack turned down a cameo in Doctor Sleep, the sequel to The Shining. But fans have suggested he’s simply living his “best life” away from the media glare. “Considering he’s 85 with six adult kids, it makes sense he’d want to spend as much time with family as possible,” wrote one.
“Good for him... enjoy your peace and quiet, Jack!” added another.