Michael Douglas Says Jack Nicholson Is Well and Retired

Douglas spoke about his longtime friend while promoting his memoir, One Helluva Ride, at an event in Swansea, Wales. He said Nicholson had stepped away from acting but was in good health, and that they still see one another. Douglas described Nicholson spending time near his home in slippers and said he understood his decision to retire. Douglas, 82, added that he would have liked to act alongside him.

Nicholson has not appeared in a film since the 2010 romantic comedy How Do You Know. He has not publicly announced that he is retiring. His most recent public appearance came during Saturday Night Live’s 50th-anniversary celebration in February 2025, where he attended with his daughter, Lorraine. She also shared a photograph of him on social media in April to mark his 89th birthday.

Douglas produced One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, the 1975 film starring Nicholson as Randle McMurphy. Nicholson won the best actor Oscar for the role, and the film also took the best picture award. Douglas said he respected Nicholson’s choice to leave the profession, while expressing regret that they never performed together.