Hollywood icon Jack Nicholson makes rare public appearance at Lakers playoff game

Hollywood icon Jack Nicholson has made his first public appearance in 18 months, stepping out at a Lakers NBA game.

LeBron shares a word with Jack Nicholson.

Jack Nicholson has made his first public appearance in 18 months, attending a Los Angeles Lakers playoffs game.

The three-time Academy Award winner has been a Lakers season ticket holder since 1970 and was courtside on Saturday (AEST), stepping out for the first time since he went to a game with his son in October 2021.

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

The US actor, 86, was photographed on the balcony of his California home, marking the first sighting of him since late 2021.

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Mounting concerns over the father-of-five’s health have been swirling in recent years, with his friends worried about Nicholson as a result of his solitary lifestyle.

So the sight of Nicholson sitting courtside at LA’s Crypto.com Arena as the Lakers sealed a 4-2 first round series win over the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA playoffs was a welcome one.

“Welcome back,” Showtime reporter Rachel Nichols said to Nicholson in a short clip posted to Twitter.

Jack Nicholson back courtside for the Lakers - first time since last season’s opening night. pic.twitter.com/OEyr3XPsqA

— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) April 29, 2023

Jack Nicholson rocking the shades for the second half of Game 6 of Lakers-Grizzlies 😎 pic.twitter.com/CdoaUCOZas

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) April 29, 2023

Nicholson appeared happy to be back out and about as he embraced LeBron James and shared a few words with the NBA’s all-time leading scorer before tip-off.

He was also spotted with Curb Your Enthusiasm star Larry David and mingled with executives and reporters.

Jack Nicholson was back in his courtside seat. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Nicholson back where he belongs. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Nicholson was welcomed back with a montage of his classic films including The Shining and Batman displayed on the arena’s scoreboard.

Nicholson donned a pair of burgundy pants paired with a black shirt underneath a navy suit jacket.

He had a pair of binoculars around his neck and wore pair of black sunglasses that he took off once the game started.

Singer Adele and actors Jason Bateman and Will Arnett were also sitting courtside for the game, which the Lakers convincingly won 125-85.

Larry David was also among the star-studded crowd. Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images/AFP.

LeBron and the Lakers have advanced to the second round. Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images/AFP.

D’Angelo Russell led the Lakers with 31 points. James finished with 22 points and six assists, and Anthony Davis had 16 points and 14 rebounds.

The Lakers progressed to the second round of the playoffs, where they will face either defending champions the Golden State Warriors or the Sacramento Kings, who forced a deciding Game 7 of their first round series.

It was fitting a Lakers game was Nicholson’s first public appearance in over a year, given he has been a fixture courtside for decades.

The As Good as It Gets star cheered during the Lakers’ ‘Showtime’ era of Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant.

Nicholson was renowned for adjusting his shooting schedule so he could attend major Lakers games.

He was present for Bryant’s 60-point performance in his last ever Lakers game in 2016.

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.

— With NY Post