Nick Nolte

Nicholas King Nolte, born on February 8, 1941, is a distinguished American actor and former model renowned for his versatile performances in both dramas and romances. Over the course of his career, Nolte has received numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe Award and nominations for three Academy Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award.
Nolte rose to prominence with his role in the ABC miniseries "Rich Man, Poor Man" (1976), which earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie. He further solidified his status as a leading actor with his Golden Globe-winning performance in "The Prince of Tides" (1991) and subsequent Academy Award nominations for the same film, as well as for "Affliction" (1998) and "Warrior" (2011).


Throughout his illustrious career, Nolte has appeared in a wide range of notable films, including "The Deep" (1977), "Who'll Stop The Rain" (1978), "North Dallas Forty" (1979), "48 Hrs." (1982), "Cannery Row" (1982), "Under Fire" (1983), "Teachers" (1984), "Down and Out in Beverly Hills" (1986), "Another 48 Hrs." (1990), "Cape Fear" (1991), "Lorenzo's Oil" (1992), "Jefferson in Paris" (1995), "The Thin Red Line" (1998), "The Good Thief" (2002), "Hulk" (2003), "Hotel Rwanda" (2004), "Over the Hedge" (2006), "The Spiderwick Chronicles" (2008), "Tropic Thunder" (2008), "The Company You Keep" (2012), "Gangster Squad" (2013), "A Walk in the Woods" (2015), "Head Full Of Honey" (2018), and "Angel Has Fallen" (2019).
Nolte's television credits are equally impressive, with roles in HBO's "Luck" (2011–2012), the Fox miniseries "Gracepoint" (2014), the Disney+ series "The Mandalorian" (2019), and the Peacock crime drama "Poker Face" (2023). Notably, he portrayed President Richard Graves in the Epix series "Graves" from 2016 to 2017, garnering a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Television Series Musical or Comedy.


Nick Nolte's career has been marked by a remarkable diversity of roles across both television and film. He first gained widespread recognition for his starring role in the television miniseries "Rich Man, Poor Man" (1976), based on Irwin Shaw's novel. This laid the foundation for Nolte's extensive filmography, which includes over 40 films showcasing his trademark athleticism and gravelly voice.
In the early stages of his film career, Nolte starred in notable works such as "The Deep" (1977), "Who'll Stop the Rain" (1978), and "North Dallas Forty" (1979), where he portrayed a wide variety of characters. His versatility was further demonstrated in films like "48 Hrs." (1982) alongside Eddie Murphy and "Cannery Row" (1982) with Debra Winger.


Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Nolte continued to deliver memorable performances in films like "Under Fire" (1983), "Teachers" (1984), "Down and Out in Beverly Hills" (1986), and "Grace Quigley" (1985), opposite Katharine Hepburn. He reunited with Eddie Murphy for the sequel "Another 48 Hrs." and earned critical acclaim for his role in "The Prince of Tides" (1991), for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.


Nolte's collaboration with Martin Scorsese in the remake of "Cape Fear" (1991), alongside Robert De Niro and Jessica Lange, further solidified his reputation as a versatile and talented actor. He continued to deliver standout performances in films like "Lorenzo's Oil" (1992), "Jefferson in Paris" (1995), "Mulholland Falls" (1996), and "Afterglow" (1997), earning him widespread acclaim and recognition.


In addition to his film work, Nolte has also appeared in television projects, including guest appearances in series like "Griff" and "Barnaby Jones." Despite his success, Nolte remains modest, as evidenced by his reaction to being named People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive in 1992, humorously suggesting that legendary journalist Walter Cronkite would have been a better choice.


Nick Nolte's career continued to flourish in the 2000s and beyond, with a range of roles showcasing his versatility as an actor. Despite taking on smaller parts in films like "Clean" and "Hotel Rwanda," his performances garnered positive reviews, demonstrating his ability to make an impact regardless of screen time.


In 2006, Nolte delivered a notable supporting performance in the drama "Peaceful Warrior," followed by a comedic turn in the 2008 hit "Tropic Thunder." However, it was his portrayal of recovering alcoholic Paddy Conlon in the 2011 film "Warrior" that earned him critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Transitioning to television, Nolte starred alongside Dustin Hoffman in the HBO series "Luck" in 2011. Unfortunately, the series was abruptly canceled after three horses died during filming, but Nolte's performance was praised nonetheless.


In subsequent years, Nolte continued to showcase his talent in various projects, including the 2013 film "Parker" and the 2015 biopic comedy-drama "A Walk in the Woods" and thriller "Return to Sender."
From 2016 to 2017, Nolte headlined the Epix series "Graves," portraying a former U.S. president seeking redemption for his past actions in a volatile and unpredictable manner.
For Nolte, acting is more than just a career—it's a necessity driven by his desire for complex and interesting stories. He believes in disappearing into his roles to serve the narrative, emphasizing the importance of storytelling above all else.
In 2019, Nolte joined the cast of the Disney+ series "The Mandalorian" as the recurring character Kuiil, further showcasing his enduring appeal and talent in both film and television.


Nick Nolte's personal life has been marked by several marriages and relationships. He married Clytie Lane in 2016, following previous marriages to Sheila Page, Sharyn Haddad, and Rebecca Linger. With Rebecca Linger, he has a son named Brawley, born in 1986, who has pursued acting and is married to Indian-American actress Navi Rawat. Nolte and Clytie Lane share a daughter named Sophia, born in 2007, who even appeared alongside her father in the film "Head Full of Honey." Tragically, Nolte and Linger also experienced the loss of a daughter who was stillborn in 1983.


Apart from his marriages, Nolte has had relationships with Karen Eklund, who later sued him for palimony, as well as Debra Winger and Vicki Lewis.
Nolte has faced legal troubles and struggled with substance abuse throughout his life, contributing to his "bad-boy reputation." In 1961, he was arrested for selling counterfeit draft card documents, resulting in a suspended 45-year prison sentence and a hefty fine. This felony conviction rendered him ineligible for military service, leaving him feeling incomplete for not serving in the Vietnam War.


In 2002, Nolte was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving in Malibu, California, and tests revealed he was under the influence of GHB. He checked himself into Silver Hill Hospital for counseling shortly after and later pleaded no contest to charges of driving under the influence. He was placed on probation and required to undergo alcohol and drug counseling.
Reports suggest that Nolte struggled with substance abuse for much of his adult life, starting alcohol abuse at an early age. He managed periods of sobriety, but resumed drinking in the late 1990s before stopping again following his 2002 arrest. In 2018, he claimed to have been relatively clean outside of prescription medication for years.

References

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