Jack Nicholson, the legendary actor known for his roles in “The Shining” and “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” made a rare public appearance at the 50th anniversary celebration of “Saturday Night Live” on Sunday. The 87-year-old actor joined Hollywood’s biggest stars at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City for the milestone event. This marked Nicholson’s first appearance in nearly two years, delighting fans who haven’t seen the actor since May 2023 when he was spotted courtside at a Los Angeles Lakers game.
The veteran actor, who is rarely seen in public these days, used a cane to steady himself as he arrived at the event and graciously signed autographs for fans. Nicholson introduced Adam Sandler, with whom he co-starred in the 2003 film “Anger Management,” to the audience.
Nicholson’s rare SNL anniversary appearance
“Ladies and gentlemen, Adam Sandler,” Nicholson announced, as Sandler took the stage to perform a song celebrating the history of “SNL.”
“Yeah, baby! Let’s hear it for Jack, baby! Jack made it out tonight! Love you, brother,” Sandler said from the mic, paying homage to Nicholson. A recent Instagram post by Lorraine Nicholson, Jack’s daughter, also garnered attention. The post, which highlighted moments from 2024, included a photo of the father-daughter duo sharing a warm embrace.
Nicholson’s illustrious career includes three Academy Awards: Best Actor for “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” Best Supporting Actor for “Terms of Endearment,” and Best Actor for “As Good as it Gets.” His breakout role came in 1969 with “Easy Rider,” which earned him his first Oscar nomination. The star-studded “SNL” event saw Nicholson rubbing shoulders with other A-list celebrities such as Jon Hamm, Ryan Reynolds, Drew Barrymore, Robert De Niro, Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin, Emma Stone, and Scarlett Johansson. Nicholson’s appearance at the “SNL” celebration was a heartfelt reminder of the actor’s enduring legacy in Hollywood.