10 Greatest Jack Nicholson Performances Of All Time

10. Warren Schmidt - About Schmidt

In the later years of his career, Jack Nicholson's roles became much less frequent. Between the turn of the century and his last on-screen role in the rom-com How Do You Know, the esteemed actor starred in only six movies. The most critically lauded of these later roles came in 2002's comedy-drama About Schmidt.

Directed by Alexander Payne, the film follows Warren Schmidt as he retires from the job that gave him structure and must deal with his wife's death. He then decides to travel across country in an RV to attend the wedding of his estranged daughter.

A simple yet effective story, About Schmidt is elevated to greatness thanks to Nicholson's quiet and thoughtful portrayal of the titular protagonist. The events of the film move slowly, but do so with grace and a deep focus on Schmidt's contemplation of life and what it all means now that he has nothing connecting himself to it.

Nicholson is at once tragic, curious and at odds with himself, and Schmidt's journey - both physically and emotionally - is one for the ages thanks to the actor's deep understanding of the character and his isolation.