Jack Nicholson's Son Was 'Beautiful' & Then 'Started to Look' Like His Father - Pics of the Curly-Haired 32-Year-Old Man

Ray Nicholson, son of Jack Nicholson, grew up as a charming, dimple-cheeked boy with a love for football. Now 32, he's making waves in Hollywood with roles that highlight his unique talent and striking resemblance to his father.

Jack Nicholson is one of Hollywood's most celebrated actors, with a career spanning decades and iconic roles that defined an era. But these days, the spotlight is also on his son, Raymond "Ray" Nicholson, who is steadily carving out his own place in the industry.

The budding actor has also made waves for his appearance. From his days as an adorable boy to his evolution as a mature 32-year-old actor, take a closer look at the resemblance that had everyone talking.

Meet Ray Nicholson

Born in 1992 to iconic actor Jack Nicholson and actress Rebecca Broussard, Ray grew up in a family that blended Hollywood's glamour with a relatively grounded upbringing. In his younger years, he stood out with his striking features — dark hair, piercing blue eyes, and an undeniable cuteness.

Jack, famously private about his personal life, once spoke candidly about his approach to fatherhood and his relationship with his children. "Well, it's a divided parenthood, with their wonderful mother and myself," he shared.

"We've always gotten along. I want to be inspirational, or some kind of good influence on them without overburdening them. It's their time of life to find out who they are," the Hollywood star added.

The iconic actor also described his efforts to expose Ray and his siblings to diverse experiences, saying, "I always read to them, from childhood on; I think that's a father's responsibility. I took them to things I knew they might not love — opera, ballet. They like going to the ball games with me."

His pride in Ray was unmistakable, particularly when discussing his son's passion for football. "Ray is fab. He gave up a summer trip to the south of France to get himself in condition because he very much wanted to make the varsity football team, which he did," Jack said.

"He's the youngest guy on the varsity. But in the last practice, he broke his collarbone. And even with this, he got up every day at six, went to practice," the "As Good as It Gets" star added.

"Ray might not tell you exactly what he's up to, but once he's got his mind set on something, he's gonna stick to it and take care of business, no matter what me or anybody else says," he continued.

Ray's dedication paid off, leading him to play varsity football during his time at Brown University. However, as years passed, his aspirations shifted toward acting — a passion that had always lingered beneath the surface. "I always wanted to be an actor, you know?" he revealed during an interview.

In his budding career, he worked as both an actor and assistant director, gaining recognition for roles in projects such as "The Benchwarmers" in 2006, "Licorice Pizza" in 2021, and "Out of the Blue" in 2022.

Speaking about the latter, Ray expressed his enthusiasm for the script, saying, "[...] I got the scripts and I just thought it was incredible. [...] It was so sexy, it was funny, it had these whole elements, and then I had the opportunity to work with [writer and director Neil LaBute] and [actress Diane Kruger]."

More recently, Ray earned a role in the 2024 horror sequel "Smile 2," which has fans buzzing. The film follows global pop star Skye Riley, played by Naomi Scott, as she contends with a haunting, sinister figure.

Ray portrayed Paul Hudson, Skye's boyfriend, and his character's unnerving smile drew immediate comparisons to his father's legendary performance in "The Shining." While promoting "Smile 2," Ray addressed questions about his resemblance to his father, particularly their shared sinister smile.

Reflecting on these comparisons, Ray remarked, "Well, our faces do look alike, you know. We're related, so..." He once also humorously noted, "My mom says, 'Ray, you were such a beautiful boy, and then you started to look like your father.'"

The young star further opened up about having a Hollywood icon for a father and revealed, "My dad and I don't talk that much about acting… I think it's important for me to find my way." "We're very different people. I was born in 1992 [and] he was born in 1937," Ray shared during an interview.

"The things that affect me don't necessarily affect him. Obviously, I love him. He's my inspiration. I ate dinner with him every night. I studied it, that's how I learned to be a human being. So, of course, we're gonna be kind of similar," he continued.

Over the years, his appearance has evolved from the angelic, curly-haired boy of his youth, to a man whose features echo his father's iconic look. As he jokingly admitted, his mother’s observation about his resemblance to Jack is spot on.

Outside of acting, Ray is part of a large family, with five siblings, including Jennifer, Caleb, Lorraine, Honey, and Duke Nicholson. Each has forged their unique paths while maintaining close bonds.

On the personal front, the "Smile 2" star has been in a relationship with model Sara Sampaio. In February, she shared a sweet tribute to him on Instagram, writing, "My valentine ❤️ how did I get so lucky?"

Ray Nicholson has transitioned from a determined football player to a rising actor carving his own path in Hollywood. While his resemblance to his father, Jack Nicholson, is striking, Ray's talent and individuality shine through, proving he's more than just his father's shadow.