Nicolas Cage facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nicolas Cage
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Cage in 2013
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Nicolas Kim Coppola
January 7, 1964 Long Beach, California, U.S.
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| Years active | 1981–present |
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| Children | 3 |
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| Family | Coppola family |
| Awards | Full list |
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Nicolas Cage (born Nicolas Kim Coppola; January 7, 1964) is an American actor and film producer. He has received many honors, including an Academy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Golden Globe Award. He has also been nominated for two BAFTA Awards. Nicolas Cage is known for being a very versatile actor. He has starred in many different types of movies. Films he has appeared in have earned a lot of money around the world.
Born into the famous Coppola family, Cage started his acting journey in films like Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) and Valley Girl (1983). He also worked on movies with his uncle, director Francis Ford Coppola, such as Rumble Fish (1983) and Peggy Sue Got Married (1986). He earned great praise for his roles in Moonstruck and Raising Arizona (both 1987). Later, he won an Academy Award for Best Actor for the dramatic film Leaving Las Vegas (1995). He was also nominated for an Oscar for playing twins in the comedy-drama Adaptation (2002).
Cage became well-known for his roles in big action films. These include The Rock (1996), Con Air (1997), Face/Off (1997), and Gone in 60 Seconds (2000). He also starred in the popular National Treasure film series (2004–2007) and the Ghost Rider film series (2007–2011). He lent his voice to characters in animated movies like The Ant Bully (2006), The Croods film series (2013–2020), and Teen Titans Go! To the Movies (2018). He also voiced Spider-Man Noir in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018). More recently, he has received praise for his roles in films like Mandy (2018), Pig (2021), The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022), and Dream Scenario (2023).
Cage owns a film production company called Saturn Films. He has produced movies such as Shadow of the Vampire (2000). He also directed the film Sonny (2002). For his work in movies, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1998. He has been recognized by magazines like Empire and Premiere as one of the top movie stars and powerful people in Hollywood.
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Early Life and Family Background
Nicolas Cage was born in Long Beach, California. His father, August Coppola, was a literature professor. His mother, Joy Vogelsang, was a dancer and choreographer. He grew up in a Catholic family.
He is the youngest of three sons. His brothers are radio personality Marc "The Cope" Coppola and director Christopher Coppola. He went to Beverly Hills High School, which is famous for its many students who became entertainers. From a young age, he wanted to be an actor. He also studied at UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. He was inspired to act after seeing James Dean in movies like Rebel Without a Cause.
When he was 15, he wanted his uncle, Francis Ford Coppola, to give him an acting test. To avoid looking like he got roles because of his famous uncle, he changed his name to Nicolas Cage. He chose the name Nicolas Cage after the Marvel Comics superhero Luke Cage and composer John Cage.
Nicolas Cage's Acting Journey
Starting Out in Movies (1981–1988)
Cage first appeared on television in 1981. His first movie role was in Fast Times at Ridgemont High in 1982. His first main role was in the romantic comedy Valley Girl (1983). In this film, he played a punk who falls in love with a valley girl. This movie became a cult classic. He also starred in his uncle's film Rumble Fish that same year.
In 1984, Cage appeared in Racing with the Moon and The Cotton Club. He also starred in Birdy with Matthew Modine. Critics praised their performances in the film. In 1986, he worked with his uncle again in the fantasy comedy Peggy Sue Got Married. His big breakthrough came in 1987 with the romantic comedy Moonstruck, where he starred with Cher. This film was very popular and earned Cage a Golden Globe nomination.
Exploring Different Roles (1989–1994)
In 1989, Cage starred in the black comedy Vampire's Kiss. His unique performance in this film later became famous in internet memes. He then appeared in David Lynch's romantic crime film Wild at Heart (1990) with Laura Dern. He enjoyed this role because it allowed him to act like one of his heroes, Elvis Presley.
He also starred in the action film Fire Birds (1990). In 1992, his performance in the romantic comedy Honeymoon in Vegas earned him another Golden Globe nomination. He hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live to promote the film. In 1994, he starred with Bridget Fonda in It Could Happen to You. He played a police officer who shares his lottery winnings with a waitress.
Winning Awards and Becoming an Action Star (1995–2003)
In 1995, Nicolas Cage gave a highly praised performance in the drama Leaving Las Vegas. He played a man facing personal struggles who falls in love in Las Vegas. This role won him the Academy Award for Best Actor and a Golden Globe Award.
After this, Cage became a major action star. He appeared in films like The Rock (1996) with Sean Connery. He then starred in Con Air and Face/Off (both 1997). In Face/Off, he and John Travolta played enemies who switch identities. Both actors received praise for their performances. He continued with action roles in Gone in 60 Seconds (2000).
He also took on dramatic roles, such as in City of Angels (1998) and The Family Man (2000). In 2002, he was nominated for an Oscar and Golden Globe again for his role in Adaptation.. He played both a real-life screenwriter and his fictional twin brother. Cage also made his directing debut with the film Sonny in 2002.
Popular Franchises and Voice Acting (2004–2011)
In 2004, Cage starred in National Treasure. He played an adventurous historian searching for hidden treasure. This became one of his highest-grossing films. He also starred in Lord of War and The Weather Man in 2005.
In 2007, he starred in Ghost Rider, based on the Marvel Comics character. This film was very successful at the box office. He also returned as the treasure hunter in National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007). In 2009, Cage starred in the science fiction thriller Knowing. He played a professor who discovers shocking predictions about the future.
He also appeared in Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009), where he played a police officer. Critics highly praised his performance in this film. In 2010, he starred in The Sorcerer's Apprentice. He reprised his role in the Ghost Rider sequel, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, in 2011.
Diverse Roles and Acclaim (2012–Present)
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In 2013, Cage voiced the character Grug Crood in the animated film The Croods. This movie was a big success. He also starred in the thriller The Frozen Ground and the independent drama Joe. Critics praised Cage's performance in Joe.
In 2016, he starred in the black comedy Dog Eat Dog. He also appeared in the horror comedy Mom and Dad in 2017. Critics enjoyed his energetic performance in that film.
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In 2018, Cage starred in the action thriller Mandy. Critics praised his powerful acting in the movie. That same year, he voiced Clark Kent / Superman in the animated film Teen Titans Go! To the Movies. He also voiced Spider-Man Noir in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. He based this voice on classic actors like Humphrey Bogart.
In 2019, Cage starred in Color Out of Space, a film based on a story by H. P. Lovecraft. He received an award for his role at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival. In 2021, he starred in Prisoners of the Ghostland, which he called "the wildest movie I've ever made." He also returned to voice Grug in The Croods: A New Age in 2020.
Cage produced and starred in the 2021 film Pig. He played a former chef searching for his kidnapped truffle pig. His performance earned him much critical praise. He also played a fictional version of himself in the 2022 action comedy The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. In 2023, he starred in Dream Scenario as a professor who starts appearing in other people's dreams, earning him another Golden Globe nomination.
In the 2023 horror comedy Renfield, Cage played Dracula. He also made a cameo appearance as an alternate version of Superman in The Flash (2023). In July 2024, Cage starred in the horror thriller Longlegs. He is set to play football coach John Madden in an upcoming film. He also headlines the 2026 television series Spider-Noir, playing a live-action version of Spider-Man Noir.
Awards and Recognition
For his contributions to the film industry, Nicolas Cage received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1998. It is located at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard. In 2001, he received an Honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts from California State University, Fullerton.
Cage has been nominated for an Academy Award twice. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Leaving Las Vegas in 1995. He was nominated for a second Oscar for his role in Adaptation in 2002.
He also won a Golden Globe award and a Screen Actors Guild award for Leaving Las Vegas. He has received nominations from the Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, and BAFTA for his films Adaptation, Honeymoon in Vegas, and Moonstruck. He has won and been nominated for many other awards throughout his career.
Nicolas Cage's Personal Life
Family and Relationships
In 1988, Nicolas Cage began a relationship with actress Christina Fulton. They have a son named Weston Coppola Cage, born in 1990. Weston has been a singer in two bands. He also appeared in his father's films Lord of War and Rage. Through Weston, Cage has two grandsons.
Cage has been married five times. His first wife was actress Patricia Arquette, whom he married in 1995. They divorced in 2001. His second marriage was to singer-songwriter Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of Elvis Presley. They married in 2002 and divorced in 2004.
His third wife was Alice Kim. They married in 2004 and had a son named Kal-El in 2005. They divorced in 2016. In 2019, Cage married Erika Koike in Las Vegas, but their marriage was annulled shortly after. On February 16, 2021, Cage married Riko Shibata. Their daughter, August, was born in 2022.
Beliefs and Interests
Cage grew up in a Catholic family, but he prefers to keep his religious views private. He believes movies should raise questions rather than preach answers. He has stated that he is not a politically active actor. He once went on a quest to find the Holy Grail, traveling to England and parts of the United States.
Helping Others
Nicolas Cage is known for his generosity. He has donated money to Amnesty International to help children affected by conflicts around the world. He also donated to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. He was the first artist to support ArtWorks, a program that raises awareness about basic rights at work, including freedom from slavery and child labor. In 2023, he made a donation to the Channel Seven Perth Telethon in Australia.
The United Nations has honored Cage with a Humanitarian award. He was appointed a UN ambassador for Global Justice in 2009 and 2013. He supported campaigns for international arms control and environmental protection. He also helped efforts by the United Negro College Fund and the Royal United Hospital.
Hobbies and Collections
Cage is a big fan of comic books. He once auctioned a collection of 400 vintage comics for over $1.6 million. In 2007, he created a comic book called Voodoo Child with his son Weston. He also collects art from painter and comic artist Robert Williams.
Saturn Films Production Company
Saturn Films is Nicolas Cage's own film production company. It has been involved in producing several films. Michael Nilon has worked as Cage's producing partner through Saturn Films.
Properties and Financial Journey
Nicolas Cage was once one of Hollywood's highest-paid actors. He owned several interesting properties, including an island in the Bahamas and a medieval castle, Schloss Neidstein, in Germany. He also purchased "Grey Craig," a large country manor in Rhode Island, and Midford Castle in England.
He once owned "The LaLaurie House" in New Orleans, known as the "Most Haunted House in America." Over time, Cage faced financial challenges. He sold some of his properties to manage these issues. He once owned a dinosaur skull of a Tarbosaurus, which he later returned to Mongolian authorities after it was found to be stolen.
In 2011, Cage sold his rare Action Comics #1 at an online auction for a record-breaking $2.16 million. This comic had been stolen from him in 2000 but was later recovered. By 2022, Cage confirmed that he had successfully managed his financial situation. He stated that he planned to be more careful about the film roles he chose.
See also
In Spanish: Nicolas Cage para niños
