Hold on tight, because this news will leave you stunned.
We all have those deep, dark family secrets that we promise never to reveal, and Jack Nicholson's story is one for the books.
It turns out that our beloved comedian discovered that his ‘sister' was actually his biological mother, and the craziest part is that he didn't find out until he was 37 years old!
Let's rewind a bit and delve into the details.
The iconic actor, known for his role in “The Shining,” was raised by John and Ethel May Nicholson, alongside his two sisters, Lorraine and June Frances Nicholson.
It wasn't until 1974, more than a decade after June's death from cancer, that the truth came knocking.
A TIME magazine reporter approached Nicholson to verify some facts for a cover story, and that's when he learned the shocking revelation.
June, the sister he had grown up with, was his actual biological mother, and Ethel, whom he believed to be his mother, was, in fact, his maternal grandmother.
Unfortunately, both June and Ethel had already passed away by the time Nicholson discovered the truth.
So, he turned to his other “sister,” Lorraine, to seek answers.
Initially, he contacted Shorty, Lorraine's husband, who was unaware of the secret.
When he finally spoke to Lorraine, she was devastated and cried throughout the night.
Reflecting on the situation, Nicholson shared with Rolling Stone, “Both grandmother and mother were deceased before this particular group of facts came to my attention.
I was very impressed by their ability to keep the secret if nothing else.
It's done great things for me.”
Surprisingly, he viewed the revelation as a positive event, acknowledging that it brought clarity to certain aspects of his life and expressing gratitude for his unique upbringing.
Despite learning the truth later in life, Nicholson expressed relief that he didn't discover it at a younger age, as he wasn't sure how he would have reacted.
June was just 17 when she gave birth to Nicholson, and since she was unmarried and uncertain about his biological father, her parents stepped in to raise him as their own, alongside his mother and aunt posing as his sisters.
Nicholson recognized the strength of character displayed by June and Ethel, stating, “My only emotion is gratitude, literally, for my life.
If they were of less character, I never would have gotten to live.
These women gave me the gift of life.”
Despite the shocking revelation, Nicholson's career in Hollywood thrived.
Over the course of more than 60 years, he became an A-list actor, earning 12 Academy Award nominations—the most for any male actor in history.
He took home the coveted Best Actor award twice, for his performances in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest” and “As Good as It Gets.”
Additionally, he won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in “Terms of Endearment.”
It's remarkable to see how Nicholson's life unfolded, considering the hidden secret that lingered beneath the surface.
His story serves as a reminder that even amidst startling revelations, one can rise above and achieve greatness.
