Jack Nicholson surprises everyone with his favorite performance: “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done”
The legendary actor names ‘Hoffa’ as the greatest role of his career, surpassing even his Oscar-winning performances.
Jack Nicholson, one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors, has been absent from the big screen for over 15 years. His last film, How Do You Know (2010), marked the end of an era for the now 88-year-old star. Throughout his career, Nicholson has embodied a wide range of unforgettable characters—from a detective in ‘Chinatown’ (1974) to a deranged patient in ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ (1975), a terrifying villain in ‘The Shining’ (1980), and even the Joker in ‘Batman’ (1989). Despite winning three Academy Awards, Nicholson has a clear favorite when it comes to his own performances.
In an interview with The Independent, Nicholson revealed that his best role was in ‘Hoffa’ (1992), directed by Danny DeVito. In the film, he portrays Jimmy Hoffa, the infamous labor union leader whose ties to organized crime and mysterious disappearance made him a legend. Nicholson’s portrayal of Hoffa remains one of his most complex and intense performances.
Why Nicholson considers ‘Hoffa’ his best work
Nicholson ranks ‘Hoffa’ above all his other films, and he has a compelling reason for doing so. He explained:
“It’s the first movie I ever did about a real person. I watched old newsreels and even met his son. As I aged in the film, I adopted a sharper voice—did you notice? [...] Playing Jimmy Hoffa was difficult but incredibly exciting. My main goal was the same as always: to make it look effortless. I think it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.”
Despite ‘Hoffa’ receiving mixed reviews upon release, Nicholson’s performance was widely praised, with many considering it one of his most underrated roles.
Where to watch ‘Hoffa’
Jimmy Hoffa vanished in 1975 and was officially declared dead in 1982, yet his body was never found. His life has been depicted in multiple films, including ‘The Irishman’ (2019), where Al Pacino takes on the role in Martin Scorsese’s gangster epic. In that film, Scorsese suggests that Hoffa was betrayed and killed by Frank Sheeran (played by Robert De Niro).
For those interested in Nicholson’s portrayal, ‘Hoffa’ is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.
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