Ray Nicholson, star of the upcoming horror film “Smile 2,” spoke about balancing his famous father’s influence with developing his own career at the film’s premiere. Nicholson, 31, plays a key role in the sequel to last year’s hit horror movie. While honored to follow in the footsteps of his father Jack Nicholson’s legendary career, Ray aims to establish himself through his own talents and choices.
The younger Nicholson acknowledged people will inevitably connect him to his father, an iconic actor known for terrifying roles like in “The Shining.” However, he stressed that as people born decades apart, different experiences shape each man. While he admired growing up watching his father’s impressive resume of three Oscars and classics like “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” Nicholson wants to walk his own path.
Ray Nicholson on fans reactions to the similarities between his ‘Smile 2’ promo poster and his father Jack Nicholson’s infamous ‘The Shining’ smile, plus how his father is an inspiration to him: “He’s my hero” | #SmileMovie pic.twitter.com/FZ6bwSOAxs
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Despite their differences, Nicholson said his father was hugely inspirational. “I studied how he acted as a guide for becoming a person,” he noted. Having dinner together each night allowed close bonds, but Nicholson revealed he wouldn’t necessarily take his father’s advice without verifying it himself.
In “Smile 2,” Nicholson joins an A-list cast including Naomi Scott, Rosemarie DeWitt and Kyle Gallner pursuing a sinister smiling figure terrorizing a pop star. Audiences will see if he succeeds where many star children have struggled – maintaining respect for a famous lineage while carving out a unique identity. For now, Nicholson remains proud to follow in Jack Nicholson’s footsteps while seeking his own breakthrough role.
