10 Greatest Jack Nicholson Performances Of All Time

Terms of Endearment took the idea of the comedy-drama to new heights, since it manages to be both blissfully funny and effortlessly tear-jerking. Starring alongside Shirley MacLaine and Debra Winger, Nicholson plays Garrett Breedlove, a former astronaut and MacLaine's neighbour, and for his performance Nicholson won his second Academy Award.

In the film, Breedlove becomes the love interest of MacLaine's protagonist Aurora, despite being a proud womaniser and a hard drinker. He at first repulses Aurora, but thanks to his charm and hidden sweetness manages to eventually win her over.

For the role, Nicholson is in full-Nicholson mode. His smile is wider than ever, he's a touch brutish in parts but charismatic enough to carry the complexities of the character, and he balances the saddest moments of the film with his easy grasp of deadpan comedy and hysterical cynicism.

The film may best be remembered for the final moments involving MacLaine and Winger, but if it wasn't for Nicholson the film would not have been as wonderful - and would certainly have been much more bleak.