Reclusive Jack Nicholson’s Kids ‘Really Stepped Up’ For Him: ‘Seems to Be in a Much Better Place’

Jack Nicholson warmed the hearts of fans with a rare return to the spotlight as he cuddled up to daughter Lorraine in an Instagram post from January 2 – as an insider exclusively tells Closer how she and other family members are helping the Hollywood icon to live the best life he possibly can at age 87. 

“Jack has been slowing down a lot in recent years and has become somewhat of a recluse,” the insider says. “There was a lot of concern for him because of it and even though he played it down and told people he was just fine, he’s definitely had some pretty serious health struggles.” 

Though Jack hasn’t officially retired from acting, he hasn’t appeared in a film in nearly 15 years, since 2010’s How Do You Know. In fact, in true Jack Nicholson fashion, the actor’s longtime friend Lou Adler discussed a story about the As Good As It Gets star quietly stepping out of the spotlight on the “WTF With Marc Maron” podcast in 2023, with host Marc Maron telling the record producer, “A friend of mine wanted to put him in a movie … And he had a conversation with him. But Jack says, ‘I don’t want to do it.’ He goes, ‘You know what I did today? I sat under a tree and I read a book.’”

Sitting under a tree dreaming of being a butterfly may be Jack’s ideal retirement, but in lieu of the stress of being a leading man and appearing in over 80 films, the aging actor is facing a new battle – his rumored struggle with memory loss and possible dementia. 

All the way back in 2013, just a few years after Jack retired, a friend told RadarOnline, “There is a simple reason behind his decision [to retire] – it’s memory loss. Quite frankly, at 76, Jack has memory issues and can no longer remember the lines being asked of him.” Almost 12 years on, his symptoms have yet to improve, according to the first source, who says that even though he’s still laboring under health woes, “he does seem to be in a much better place and it’s thanks to his kids.” 

Jack has six kids in total: Ray Nicholson, 32, Lorraine Nicholson, 34, Caleb James Goddard, 54, Jennifer Nicholson, 61, Honey Hollman, 43, and Tessa Gourin, 30.

“They’ve all really stepped up to be there for him, they visit him all the time and when they’re not in town they’re calling daily to check in on him,” the insider adds. “He’s got a small group of friends that visit him, as well, but it’s really his kids that are most devoted.” 

“They nag him about seeing his doctors and monitor his diet, he jokes that he can’t even eat a candy bar these days without getting a lecture from one of his kids, but he clearly loves all the attention they give him.” 

“And it does seem to be doing him good because his energy is up and he’s even started talking about getting out and about more this coming year. You might even see him courtside again at the Lakers with his kids again!”