Jack is Back!

The State of New Jersey is famous for many things. When you think of New Jersey, you think of tomatoes, sweet Jersey corn, subs, and a remarkable number of high-level celebrity athletes and actors who were all born right here in the Garden State.

Perhaps not widely known is the fact that Jack Nicholson, the Academy Award-winning actor, and life-long Los Angeles Lakers superfan was born in Neptune, New Jersey on April 22, 1937.

Jack Nicholson has been such a Lakers aficionado, that until the COVID-19 Pandemic struck, he had not missed a Lakers game in nearly 50 years. He has held season tickets since 1970.

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Jack Nicholson’s devotion to the Lakers is so strong, that he has it written into all of his movie contracts and other agreements that he will not film, work, or be distracted in any other way during the Los Angeles Laker game days.

Jack Nicholson has been famously seated in the front row, center court at the Lakers games for all of these decades.

Earvin (Magic) Johnson
Mike Powell, Getty Images
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Nicholson has celebrated world championships with his beloved team, while personally observing three of the greatest men to ever play the game Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul Jabaar, and Magic Johnson, to name a few of the icons who have mixed with the Lakers most celebrated fan for generations.

In fact, one memorable story in Laker's history is the game when Jack Nicholson’s behavior at courtside resulted in the referee issuing a technical foul to the Lakers.

It took place during the 2003 NBA Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs. Nicholson’s behavior was so outrageous, the Lakers have assessed the penalty on behalf of “Colonel Nathan Jessup,” who was famously heard saying “you want me on that court … you need me on that court.” At least that’s the kind of story that folklore is made of.

Nicholson has never officially retired, but he has been noticeably absent from the spotlight and Hollywood.

This made his return to courtside with The Los Angeles  Lakers all the more sweet.

This Jersey boy has made good and the devotion to his favorite off-screen pursuit is legendary.

Jack is back. And, many people are happy about it.

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