Jack Nicholson spotted publicly for first time in 18 months amid health fears

Jack Nicholson has been seen in public for the first time in over a year, after friends revealed the star is living like a “recluse” and may have dementia.

Jack Nicholson has been seen for the first time in 18 months, after it emerged earlier this year he was living life as a “recluse”.

The US actor, 85, was photographed on the balcony of his California home this week, marking the first sighting of him since late 2021.

The Shining star could be seen sitting down on the porch of his Beverly Hills mansion, wearing an orange T-shirt and sweatpants as he admired the view of the Franklin Canyon Reservoir.

The 85-year-old has been living a reclusive life. Picture by: Diggzy/Jesal/SplashNews/Media Mode

Nicholson is a legend of the industry. Picture by: Diggzy/Jesal/SplashNews/Media Mode

It comes after a RadarOnline report in January detailed friends’ concerns for Nicholson’s welfare.

Multiple sources told the publication the three-time Oscar winning actor “doesn’t leave his house anymore” and that his “mind is gone”.

The sources added they were worried he was quietly suffering from dementia.

Prior to the new photos, father-of-five Nicholson was last spotted at an LA Lakers game at the Staples Center in October 2021, alongside his son Ray Nicholson, 30.

A friend of Nicholson’s told the website he was remaining holed up in his mansion – which he purchased from his friend, the late Marlon Brando, for $US5 million in 2005.

“He’s made it clear his home is his castle. But people just wish he’d come out of the house and pop up to tell them how – or at least reassure folks he’s OK,” a source told the website.

“Jack’s in touch with certain relatives – especially Ray, his protégé, who he’s so proud of – but his socialising days are long gone.”

Jack Nicholson he refuses to leave his longtime compound. Picture by: Diggzy/Jesal / SplashNews/Media Mode

Nicholson was seen overlooking Franklin Canyon Reservoir. Picture by: Diggzy/Jesal / SplashNews/Media Mode

The source added Nicholson was living his days much like Brando’s later years. Brando, who died in 2004, was one of the brightest stars in Hollywood’s golden age, before gaining a significant amount of weight in the years prior to his death.

“Brando died a virtual recluse after leading such a colourful life, and Jack’s friends are drawing the comparisons,” the source said. “His kids will visit, but they’re his only connection to the world.

“It’s like he doesn’t want to face reality anymore and that’s just sad.”

Nicholson, who is the most nominated male performer at the Academy Awards, quietly stepped away from acting after starring in rom-com How Do You Know with Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd and Owen Wilson in 2010.

Paul Rudd starred alongside Nicholson in the latter’s last film, How Do You Know in 2010.

In 2013, a friend told RadarOnline that Nicholson decided to step back due to memory issues.

“Jack has – without fanfare – retired,” a source told the publication.

“There is a simple reason behind his decision – it’s memory loss. Quite frankly, at 76, Jack has memory issues and can no longer remember the lines being asked of him.”

However, Nicholson, who has an estimated net worth of $US580 million ($A839 million), denied he was retiring following a career spanning five decades in a rare interview with The Sun that same year. He also watered down health concerns, claiming he had a “mathematician’s brain”.

“(But) I’m not going to work until the day I die, that’s not why I started this. I mean, I’m not driven. I was driven – but I’m not, I don’t have to be out there any more,” he said at the time.

“In fact, there’s part of me that never really liked being out there … You get older, you change.”

It’s understood Nicholson, a renowned party animal in his earlier days, is currently single.

His longest relationship was with US actress Anjelica Huston, who he dated from 1973 until 1990.

Jack Nicholson and Anjelica Huston in 1975. Picture: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Tabloids ran wild with stories of Nicholson’s multiple affairs during their lengthy relationship, which ultimately came to an end when Nicholson fathered a child with actress Rebecca Broussard.

Despite his many romances, Nicholson has only been married once, to The Terror co-star Sandra Knight from 1962 to 1968.

Nicholson also dated actresses Susan Anspach, Lara Flynn Boyle and Paz de la Huerta, and was linked to supermodel Kate Moss in the early 2000s.