Hollywood’s most delicious friendship saga just got a heartwarming update, and it’s exactly what the doctor ordered. Danny DeVito — still radiating that unmistakable charm at 80 — recently dished about his dear friend Jack Nicholson, and the tea is positively steaming.
In an industry where relationships often fade faster than last season’s designer trends, DeVito’s candid chat with People Magazine about Nicholson feels like a rare gift. “I just saw Jack a couple weeks ago,” DeVito shared, his words carrying the warmth of decades-long friendship. “It was his birthday a month ago, and he’s great.”
Their story reads like a classic Hollywood script — minus the predictable ending. Picture it: 1975, the set of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” Two extraordinary talents collide at precisely the right moment, though neither could’ve possibly known they were writing the first chapter of a 50-year friendship saga.
DeVito’s memories of those early days paint Nicholson in refreshingly human strokes. Despite being in what DeVito calls “his moment” — fresh off triumphs like “Easy Rider” and “Chinatown” — Nicholson remained surprisingly grounded. “Open and genuine,” as DeVito puts it, which in Hollywood terms is about as rare as an unfiltered Instagram photo.
The dynamic duo went on to share the screen in a string of memorable projects. From the quirky charm of 1978’s “Goin’ South” to the emotional wallop of “Terms of Endearment” (1983), right through to Tim Burton’s gloriously bonkers “Mars Attacks!” in ’96. Each collaboration added another layer to their friendship’s rich tapestry.
These days, Nicholson — now 87 — has largely stepped away from the spotlight. His last silver screen appearance in 2010’s “How Do You Know” feels like ancient history in Hollywood time. Though he did make waves with a surprise appearance at February’s SNL50 celebration, joining an absolutely stacked lineup including Steve Martin and Sir Paul McCartney.
What’s particularly fascinating about this friendship is how it’s weathered the notoriously fickle tides of show business. DeVito’s frank admission about Nicholson’s early struggles — “he started out exactly the way everybody else did, where he couldn’t get a job” — serves as a humbling reminder that even legends start somewhere.
Their half-century bond has witnessed Nicholson’s impressive collection of 12 Oscar nominations (and three wins), while DeVito carved his own path as an industry powerhouse. It’s the kind of enduring relationship that makes you believe in Hollywood magic — not the special effects kind, but the real, human connection that occasionally blossoms under those bright lights.
Perhaps that’s what makes DeVito’s recent update so special. In an era of carefully curated public images and PR-approved statements, there’s something wonderfully authentic about one friend simply checking in on another. And isn’t that what we’re all really looking for in this town?
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