Updated: Jack Nicholson quietly retiring from acting due to “memory loss”?

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

UPDATE: According to NBC's Maria Shriver, Nicholson hasn't thrown in the towel just yet. Here's the update:

NBC's Maria Shriver has confirmed to E! News that reports of Nicholson retiring from acting due to memory loss or dementia are 100 percent false, adding that the Chinatown star is not suffering from any memory-related illness or dementia and has no current plans to retire.

In fact, a source close to the movie icon says Nicholson is actively reading scripts and is looking forward to his next project.

According to radaronline, legendary actor Jack Nicholson is "quietly retiring" from acting due to "memory loss." The 76-year-old actor who has won three Oscars (and been nominated for twelve) for his performances in ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOOS NEST, TERMS OF ENDEARMENT, and AS GOOD AS IT GETS apparently wants to leave the profession without fanfare, with insiders saying, “His memory isn’t what it used to be.”

Nicholson's last film was Albert Brooks' 2010 dud HOW DO YOU KNOW and before that was 2007's THE BUCKET LIST with Morgan Freeman. Since that time, Nicholson was apparently approached for the lead in Alexander Payne's NEBRASKA, but turned down the role, which went to Bruce Dern. There's nothing that indicates he turned down the role, because of memory loss, but it may have been a factor.

Although he may be retiring from acting, “He’s not retiring from public life, at all. He just doesn’t want a tribute,” said the insider. “He’s happy to tacitly join the retirees club like Sean Connery.”

Interesting stuff. Whether or not Nicholson is retiring because of memory loss or for whatever reason, the man has built a legacy on his talent which is hard to compare. Although I'd like to see the man grace the big screen again, I'm perfectly content with the many outstanding performances he's given us in six decades of acting.