Michael Douglas Gives Update on Jack Nicholson: ‘Well’ But ‘Disappeared’

“He is up there by his house and walking around in his slippers,” actor says of his longtime friend. “He deserves it.”

Michael Douglas has provided an update on his friend Jack Nicholson, saying the legendary actor — who hasn’t appeared on the big screen in 16 years — is “well” but has “disappeared.”

Douglas and Nicholson’s friendship began in the mid-1970s, when Douglas served as producer on One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, starring Nicholson in an Oscar-winning role.

Speaking in Swansea, Wales while promoting his memoir One Helluva Ride, Douglas said that he wished he and Nicholson shared the screen together. I would have liked to have acted with Jack,” Douglas said (via People). “He’s not working any more. He’s well. He has disappeared. I know that.”

Nicholson last appeared on the big screen in 2010’s How Do You Know.

“I still see him, but he is fine,” Douglas added. “He is up there by his house and walking around in his slippers. It happens. He deserves it. I understand. He is a few years older than me, but I understand.”

Nicholson has dramatically cut back on public appearances in recent years, only attending the rare Los Angeles Lakers game now and then. However, the actor made a surprise onscreen appearance in 2025 to introduce Adam Sandler on Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary episode; Nicholson previously served in a similar capacity during the SNL 40 show in 2015.