Jack Nicholson's Golf Club Incident You Might Not Remember

Jack Nicholson is in a category of his own. The acclaimed actor has starred in iconic films like "The Shining," "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," and "Chinatown." Fans have come to recognize the Oscar-winner for his eccentric characters and maniacal on-screen laugh. And although he's been celebrated for his powerful performances, he's also been the center of some not-so-positive headlines.

Nicholson is known to get fired up in his films and personal life. Some of his movie scenes have even mirrored real-life events. Nicholson played Adam Sandler's unconventional therapist Buddy Rydell in the 2003 comedy film "Anger Management." In one scene, Rydell picked up a golf club and baseball bat before deciding to use the baseball bat to smash a car. In a moment of life imitating art, Nicholson once got in deep trouble for his aggressive tendencies. Remember his infamous golf club incident? Let's throw it back to the '90s and revisit this groundbreaking story.

Jack Nicholson has been known to be an avid golfer. But he hasn't just used his golf club on the course. In 1994, Nicholson was charged with misdemeanor vandalism and assault in North Hollywood, per the Los Angeles Times. Angry that a driver cut him off in traffic, Nicholson repeatedly struck and smashed the windshield of the car with a golf club. The victim of the incident claimed that he never got out of his car, so he was injured by the flying glass and was extremely terrified. According to witnesses, it was a hit-and-run situation, as Nicholson and a man accompanying him drove off after the incident. Talk about road rage.

According to Golf Digest, the charges were ultimately dropped and Nicholson apologized for his behavior. The actor allegedly settled for $500,000. According to Nicholson, the recent death of a friend and grueling film directing schedule had contributed to his angry outburst. But he was well aware of his actions. In a subsequent interview with Golf Digest, Nicholson reflected on the infamous incident. "I was on my way to the course, and in the midst of this madness I somehow knew what I was doing because I reached into my trunk and specifically selected a club I never used on the course: my 2-iron." Yikes.

It's not only the golf club incident that points to Jack Nicholson's recurrent rage. In 2014, Nicholson's ex-girlfriend and actor Anjelica Huston wrote a piece for Vanity Fair, where she talked about her relationship with Nicholson. "Jack had a temper." She also said, "He is emotional. Life touches him, and moves him, and upsets him. He is a deep and serious person. He takes things harder than you'd imagine or than he would want you to know."

There's no doubt that the A-list actor has lost his cool — and that extends to the basketball court. According to a 2003 BBC News article, Nicholson was nearly evicted from a Los Angeles Lakers game for yelling at a referee. The reason? He wasn't too thrilled that NBA star Shaquille O'Neal was already at his third foul in the second quarter. Nicholson allegedly shouted "I pay a lot of money for this seat" and "This is the NBA, you can't tell me to sit down." Officials stated he would've been ousted had he stepped onto the playing area.

Goodness gracious. Take it easy, Jack.