Nicolas Cage

Who Is Nicolas Cage?

Actor Nicolas Cage discovered his passion for acting during a summer class at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. He began his career in teenage comedies, such as Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and quickly evolved into a versatile actor known for a wide array of roles in films like Raising Arizona, Moonstruck, and Con Air. His remarkable performance in the 1995 film Leaving Las Vegas earned him an Academy Award, solidifying his status in Hollywood.

Early Life

Nicolas Cage was born Nicolas Kim Coppola on January 7, 1964, in Long Beach, California, to choreographer Joy Vogelsang and literature professor August Coppola. He has two older brothers, Marc and Christopher, and is the nephew of renowned film director Francis Ford Coppola. His frequent visits to his uncle’s San Francisco home during his youth inspired his artistic ambitions. Cage is also related to director Sofia Coppola, Francis’s daughter.

At the age of 15, Nicolas fell in love with acting during a summer class at the American Conservatory Theatre, leading him to drop out of Beverly Hills High School to pursue his dreams. He made his television debut in 1981 and chose the stage name Nicolas Cage to distinguish himself from his famous uncle, adopting the surname “Cage” as a tribute to the comic-book superhero Luke Cage.

Cage is widely recognized for his intense, edgy persona and dedication to method acting. He is known for his extreme preparation for roles, including having two teeth extracted for his performance in Birdy, slashing his arm for Racing with the Moon (1984), and swallowing a live cockroach for Vampire’s Kiss (1992). Additionally, he reportedly destroyed a street vendor’s remote-controlled car in a moment of frustration while preparing for his role as a mobster in The Cotton Club (1984).

Nicolas Cage: A Professional Overview of His Career and Personal Life

Early Career and Notable Films

Nicolas Cage began his career in the early 1980s, initially making his mark in teenage comedies. He made his film debut in Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982), which also featured Sean Penn. Following this, Cage took on a leading role as a punk rocker in Valley Girl (1983). His talent caught the attention of acclaimed director Francis Ford Coppola, who cast him in a supporting role in Rumble Fish (1983). Cage’s first serious dramatic performance came in Birdy (1984), where he starred alongside Matthew Modine. This early phase of his career included significant roles in Coppola’s Peggy Sue Got Married (1986), the Coen Brothers’ comedy Raising Arizona (1987), and the romantic film Moonstruck (1987) alongside Cher. He also appeared in David Lynch’s Wild at Heart (1990), Vampire’s Kiss (1992), and the comedy Honeymoon in Vegas (1992).

Academy Award Recognition

By 1994, Cage had established himself as a bankable actor, commanding approximately $4 million per film. However, he chose to star in Mike Figgis’ Leaving Las Vegas (1995) for a reduced salary of $240,000 due to the compelling nature of the role. This decision proved to be pivotal, as his portrayal of an alcoholic screenwriter earned him both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Actor.

Action Thrillers and Commercial Success

Since his breakthrough in dramatic roles, Cage transitioned into action thrillers, featuring prominently in films such as The Rock (1996), Con Air (1997), and John Woo’s Face/Off (1997), where he starred opposite John Travolta. He continued his foray into romantic genres with City of Angels (1998), which co-starred Meg Ryan. After tackling darker roles in 8MM and Bringing Out the Dead (1999), Cage headlined the action-packed Gone in 60 Seconds (2000), earning a substantial $20 million salary.

Diverse Roles and Directorial Debut

Cage displayed his versatility in The Family Man (2000) and the World War II epic Captain Corelli’s Mandolin (2001), featuring actress Penelope Cruz. In December 2002, he made his directorial debut with the independent film Sonny, exploring the life of a male gigolo. He also starred in Adaptation (2002), playing both the screenwriter Charlie Kaufman and his twin brother, Donald.

National Treasure Franchise and Continued Success

Cage experienced a resurgence with the National Treasure franchise, starting with the successful National Treasure (2004), where he portrayed an archaeologist convinced that a treasure map is hidden on the back of the Declaration of Independence. He reprised this role in National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007). His career continued to flourish with appearances in films like The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (2010) and Season of the Witch (2011), alongside acclaimed roles in smaller films such as Joe (2013) and Mandy (2018). He also lent his voice to animated projects, including The Croods (2013) and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018).

Personal Life

Cage’s personal life has been as eventful as his career. He had a long-term relationship with model Kristina Fulton, with whom he shares a son, Weston Coppola Cage, born in 1992. He was married to actress Patricia Arquette from 1995 to 2001, followed by a brief marriage to Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis Presley, which lasted only 108 days in 2002. In 2004, Cage married Alice Kim, a significant age difference notwithstanding, and welcomed a son, Kal-el Coppola Cage, in 2005. After 12 years of marriage, they separated in 2016.

In March 2019, Cage made headlines by marrying makeup artist Erika Koike, only to file for an annulment four days later. In February 2021, he married Riko Shibata, and the couple welcomed a daughter named August in September 2022.

Through his extensive career, Cage has demonstrated remarkable versatility and a commitment to his craft, making him one of Hollywood’s most enduring and complex figures.