Still One of the Biggest Oscar Robberies of All Time: Jack Nicholson Should Have Won an Oscar For The Shining

The Shining's neglected brilliance is why Jack Nicholson's performance deserved an Oscar and remains one of Hollywood's biggest oversights.

Still One of the Biggest Oscar Robberies of All Time: Jack Nicholson Should Have Won an Oscar For The Shining

SUMMARY

  • Despite Jack Nicholson's unforgettable performance in The Shining, he was snubbed for an Oscar, a real head-scratcher.
  • Nicholson's portrayal of Jack Torrance's descent into madness in The Shining remains bone-chilling and iconic.
  • Jack Nicholson's impressive career spans three Oscar wins, 12 nominations, and even a Grammy for Best Recording.
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Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining is a classic horror flick that really gets under your skin. It’s all about this guy named Jack Torrance, played by Jack Nicholson, who goes totally off the deep end. The 86-year-old’s performance is unforgettable, as he nails the whole tormented, crazy thing. But here’s the kicker: he never got an Oscar for it. Can you believe that?

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Jack Nicholson in How Do You Know
Jack Nicholson in How Do You Know

Despite all the creepy vibes and stellar acting, the Academy just looked the other way. It’s a real head-scratcher and one of those moments where you wonder what they were thinking.

The Shining Deserved An Oscar Win For Jack Nicholson

The Shining, directed by Stanley Kubrick, is a horror classic that really packs a punch. And Jack Nicholson’s performance as Jack Torrance is what makes it so unforgettable. He really nails the whole unraveling, going crazy thing, and it’s pretty chilling to watch.

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But despite all the buzz and scare factors, the Oscars totally snubbed Nicholson. It’s like, come on, guys, did you even watch the movie?

The Academy’s got its own vibe going on, with different folks judging performances based on who knows what. And let’s face it, sometimes they miss the mark big time. Nicholson’s not the only one left hanging; there’s a whole bunch of talented actors who got the cold shoulder over the years.

Jack Nicholson
Jack Nicholson in The Shining

It’s a shame, really. As for The Shining, it’s based on a Stephen King novel and follows Jack, his wife Wendy, and their son Danny as they deal with some seriously creepy stuff at an old hotel. Nicholson’s portrayal of Jack’s descent into madness is downright bone-chilling.

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He brings this mix of humor and creepiness that’s just spot-on. And let’s not forget the rest of the cast; they all bring their A-game. But it’s Nicholson who steals the show, hands down. He really deserved that Oscar, no doubt about it!

But hey, it’s not like he never got any recognition. Nicholson actually snagged three Academy Awards for acting, making him one of the select few to achieve that feat.

Jack Nicholson Joined The Elite Club With Three Oscar Wins In Acting

Nicholson has truly become a Hollywood icon by scoring three Oscar wins for his acting chops. He started his career in a low-budget flick called The Cry Baby Killer back in ’58.

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Known for his intense, emotionally charged performances, picking his best one is like trying to choose your favorite pizza topping. Everyone’s got a different opinion! His climb to stardom wasn’t overnight; he did the rounds on TV shows and landed roles in Roger Corman’s films, like The Little Shop of Horrors.

A still from The Shining
A still from The Shining

His first Oscar came for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest in ’75, a movie that swept up the top five awards. But the actor’s trophy shelf didn’t stop there. He’s been nominated a whopping 12 times, making him the most nominated male actor in Oscar history.

Plus, he’s snagged three wins for Terms of Endearment, and As Good as It Gets, including One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. He’s in good company, too, rubbing shoulders with legends like Meryl Streep and Katharine Hepburn in the three-Oscar club.

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Oh, and did you know he’s even got a Grammy for a children’s recording? With each win, Nicholson’s place among the acting greats is sealed a little tighter. But yes, we all know he deserves every accolade thrown his way!

You can catch The Shining on multiple streaming platforms, including MAX and Amazon Prime Video.

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Written by Muskan Chaudhary

Articles Published: 694

Muskan Chaudhary, Junior Content Writer at Fandom wire. Having completed her degree in Commerce, she has written over 500 articles spanning FandomWire and Animated Times in the pop culture. She is dedicated to bring the latest and informative content from the entertainment world, thus expanding her knowledge in the field. Apart from her contributions to FandamWire, she has a keen interest in video games, sketching and playing tennis.