Nicolas Cage

Lore & Background

Nicolas Cage was born into the Coppola family and began his career in films such as Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) and Valley Girl (1983), as well as various films by his uncle Francis Ford Coppola. He changed his name to avoid the appearance of nepotism. He earned critical success for roles in Moonstruck and Raising Arizona (both 1987), before winning an Academy Award for Best Actor for Leaving Las Vegas (1995). He was Oscar-nominated for Adaptation (2002).

Cage established himself in mainstream action films, including The Rock (1996), Con Air (1997), Face/Off (1997), Gone in 60 Seconds (2000), the National Treasure film series (2004–2007), the Ghost Rider film series (2007–2011), and Kick-Ass (2010). He also took on dramatic roles in City of Angels (1998), Bringing Out the Dead (1999), The Family Man (2000), Matchstick Men (2003), and Joe (2013). He voiced characters in The Ant Bully (2006), Astro Boy (2009), The Croods film series (2013–2020), and played Spider-Man Noir in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018). He earned renewed critical recognition for Mandy (2018), Pig (2021), The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022), Dream Scenario (2023), and Longlegs (2024).

Cage owns the production company Saturn Films and has produced films such as Shadow of the Vampire (2000) and The Life of David Gale (2003), and directed Sonny (2002). He was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1998. He was voted one of the 50 greatest actors of all time in a 2022 readers' poll by Empire magazine.

Reader's Guide

Nicolas Cage's significance lies in his remarkable versatility across film genres, from dramatic roles that earned him an Academy Award to mainstream action blockbusters and cult classics. His career, spanning over four decades, demonstrates a willingness to take on unconventional projects, which has garnered a substantial cult following. Cage's work in films such as Leaving Las Vegas, Adaptation, and the National Treasure series has left a lasting impact on popular culture. His legacy includes not only his acting but also his work as a producer and director, and his induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1998. The 2022 Empire magazine readers' poll ranking him among the 50 greatest actors of all time underscores his enduring influence.

Did You Know?

• Cage changed his name to avoid the appearance of nepotism as the nephew of Francis Ford Coppola.
• He legally changed his name to Nicolas Cage in 2025, having used it professionally his entire career.
• He was voted one of the 50 greatest actors of all time in a 2022 readers' poll by Empire magazine.
• Cage owns the production company Saturn Films and has directed the film Sonny (2002).

Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)

"Nicolas Kim Coppola (born January 7, 1964) is an American actor and filmmaker who is the recipient of various accolades, including an Academy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Golden Globe Award." — Nicolas Cage "As a film actor, my job is to facilitate the director’s vision. If there’s something I’m doing that they don’t agree with, I drop it." — Nicolas Cage "Karaoke is kind of like a prayer. You’re not supposed to videotape that. I’m not a professional singer. I’m just enjoying my life and blowing off some steam with friends." — Nicolas Cage "Well, all art is therapeutic and a positive place to transmute emotions from the negative into a positive." — Nicolas Cage