She Was My Sister, She Was My Mother, She Was My Grandmother — The Day Jack Nicholson Learned the Truth at 37
Jack Nicholson, the beloved three-time Oscar winner, has one of Hollywood’s most whispered family secrets. Born April 22, 1937, in Neptune, New Jersey, he grew up in Manasquan believing his parents were John and Ethyl Nicholson. He had two older sisters, Jun and Lorraine, with Jun about 17 years older. Neighbors attributed Jun’s early pregnancy to Ethyl’s difficult life with a drinking husband, and watched the family with wary curiosity. The truth would surface years later. In 1974, Time magazine began profiling him and journalists started digging into his background, uncovering a discrepancy that would overturn the life Nicholson believed he lived.
In This Article:
Born into a Family with a Hidden Secret
Nicholson was born in 1937 in Neptune, New Jersey, and grew up in Manasquan with people he believed were his parents. He had two older sisters, Jun and Lorraine, creating a wide age gap—Jun was about 17 years older than Jack. Neighbors explained Jun’s pregnancy as the result of Ethyl’s difficult life with a husband who drank, and the family kept the details private. Jack grew up surrounded by love, but the family story was already built on a secret that wasn’t shared.
The Real Mother Behind the Legend
The real mother behind the myth began to surface through investigative reporting. Ethyl dreamed of acting and had moved to New York, working in a club as a stripper to earn money. The stories suggested she had given birth, but the dates and relationships didn’t always add up. Lorraine, Jack’s aunt, later confirmed that Jun was his mother and Ethyl his grandmother. The investigation also named two possible fathers—Don Fursillo-Rose and Eddie Kirshfeld (Eddie King)—but Nicholson and his family kept the details private.
Choosing Silence in the Wake of Revelation
The moment of truth hit Nicholson when the press pressed him about paternity. Rather than lashing out, he chose silence, avoiding endless questions about his father and the family secret. He spoke of love for the women who raised him and his wish to share his success with them, while keeping their names private. He refused to publicly identify his father or rehash the past, insisting on protecting his relatives’ privacy.
A Private Legend, A Public Career
Today Nicholson remains a private man, a father of six, and a living legend. He is grateful to Jun for giving him life and to Ethyl for raising him with love, even if their story remains a secret. His career continues to soar, defined by iconic roles rather than the drama behind his family. He guards the family’s privacy and has chosen not to name them in interviews or public discussions.
