Perhaps Nicholas Cage is known all over the world. This actor has starred in many films and has been one of the most popular for several decades. But there were obstacles on his path to fame, and sometimes in his personal life, not everything worked out smoothly for him. What exactly did Nicholas Cage face, whose photos still break the hearts of thousands of girls around the world, in which films he starred and what he does in his free time?
Actor's family
From birth, Nicolas Cage had every chance of becoming a real star of the screen, because his uncle is none other than the director Francis Ford Coppola. To independently succeed in his career, not counting on the help of relatives, young Nicholas changed his name. The choice of a pseudonym is associated with the composer John Cage, in addition, there was Luke Cage - a popular comic book hero. So the actor did not consciously inherit the surname, rightly reasoning that he had enough talents inherent in the genes. It's not just about uncle: grandfather was a famous composer, my mother worked as a professional dancer, and my father wrote books and taught literature. Therefore, the talented actor Nicolas Cage became a logical continuation of such a family tree. Nature did not deprive the brothers of the stars of talents, the older brother is also engaged in acting, the middle one became a director.
Childhood
Now the roles of Nicolas Cage are familiar to everyone, but in childhood, the future actor still thought about radically changing his fate and doing seafaring. He seriously tried to connect life with water, until talents came to the fore. During his studies at the Beverly Hills School, the boy became a member of the local drama circle, and stage appearances attracted him. Everyone noticed that he was a gifted child. In high school, Nicolas Cage spent all his holidays at the San Francisco Theater. It soon became clear that there was no getting away from acting as an actor, and the young man left school, having passed all exams as an external student. At 17, he went to conquer Hollywood. Nicholas has not thought about the pseudonym yet.
Screen debut
We did not have to wait long for success. Nicolas Cage, whose filmography is impressive in its vastness, began his career with the television series "Best Times". The next role was the appearance in the film "Easy times in Ridgemont High", but this film was not very successful. At that time, the actor was indicated in the credits as Nicholas Kim Coppolu, such is his real name. In 1983, he chooses his pseudonym and gets a good role in "Girl from the Valley", where he played a red-haired rock musician. The appearance of the actor did not remind him of his famous uncle, the director, and the pseudonym completely left everyone unaware of such a relationship, so no one could suspect the use of connections. Nicholas really managed to find his way onto the screen on his own.
The random help of Francis Coppola
Surprisingly, the eminent uncle still helped his nephew. Looking through photographs of various actors before filming the Fighting Fish tape, Coppola noticed a snapshot of his nephew. He did not give indulgences to the relative, so he simply invited him to the casting on a common basis. In addition, Coppola did not flatter Nicholas and noted that a good actor, in his opinion, would not come out of Cage. Nevertheless, the nephew was able to pass tests and get a job. In 1984, Nicholas appeared in another Coppola film, The Cotton Club, and two years later starred in the film Peggy Sue Got Married. These roles were the first steps to real success, Cage gained fame and began to receive more invitations from directors.
All for the role
Nicolas Cage, whose filmography includes many difficult roles, was responsible for each of them. His dedication in preparing for the shooting even became the reason for his reputation as a weird eccentric. So, during the filming of the film âBirdâ Nicholas strongly insisted that he really pulled out two teeth without any anesthesia, so that the heroâs suffering was real and convincing. While working on the painting âKiss of the Vampire,â the actor decided to eat a live cockroach, sincerely reincarnating as the crazy journalist he played. In 1999, before filming the film âResurrecting the Dead,â he did go on medical duty round-the-clock. He explained his deed by the fact that he wants to play very honestly, and therefore he is trying to get the necessary life experience for this.
Incredible love story
The year 1987 turned out to be tense in terms of work: the actor played two roles at once, one in the drama entitled "Raising Arizona" and the other in the film "Power of the Moon." In the last, he was invited by singer Cher, who played the main role in the film. At the same time, Nicolas Cage met actress Patricia Arquette. Three hours of dating was enough for the actor not only to fall in love, but also to make an offer. Surprisingly, Patricia agreed. But before the wedding, Nicholas had to fulfill three unimaginable conditions. The bride wanted to get a black orchid, which simply does not exist in nature, an autograph by Salinger, who always wrote on a typewriter, and a wedding outfit from the fox tribe that lives in Southeast Asia. This did not stop Cage: he painted a flower from a spray bottle and bought a note from a writer from a well-known collector, and the impressed girl refused to dress herself. The wedding ceremony decided to hold in Cuba. During check-in at the airport, it turned out that there was a failure and the tickets were not booked, Nicolas Cage made a scandal, and Patricia changed her mind and simply ran away. For some time, the head over heels actor even planned to abduct her, but still they parted.
First awards
Despite the failure on the love front, Nicholas continued to actively act in films. The works of this period included roles in Fire Birds, Time to Kill, Wild Heart, and the film Industrial Symphony No. 1: Sleeping Girl with a Broken Heart appeared on television screens. Nicolas Cage also starred in Zandali, Honeymoon in Las Vegas, Roadside Restaurant, Emos and Andrew, Mortal Fall and Bodyguard Tess. The filmography was growing rapidly, but the actor still did not have nominations from film critics. In 1995, the gap was filled: the actor received an Oscar as the best actor of the year after participating in the film âLeaving Las Vegasâ. Subsequently, he will once again be nominated for this prestigious award for his role in the film "Adaptation".
New meeting
In 1995, Nicholas was lucky not only to receive a golden statuette, but also to meet his escaped bride. This time, an eccentric couple still managed to get to the altar. Marriage was known as the strangest in Hollywood, because the couple did not even come to the same house. Nicholas and Patricia constantly made scandals to each other right on the set and quarreled, not melting. Despite the intensity of emotions, the marriage lasted for six whole years. During this period, many popular films came out, the star of which was Nicolas Cage. The best films of that time were: âThe Rockâ, participation in it brought the actor four million dollars, âAir Prisonâ, âWithout a Faceâ, the fee for which amounted to six million, âCity of Angelsâ and, finally, âEyes of the Snakeâ, which brought sixteen million record. In 1999, the films â8 millimetersâ and âResurrecting the Deadâ were released, in 2000 - âGone in 60 Secondsâ and âFamily Manâ, in 2001 the audience saw âCaptain Corelli's Choiceâ and âChristmas Storyâ . At this point, the marriage with Arquette broke up, and the actor was left alone again.
Second attempt
Zero were marked by many offers from directors and a second marriage. The next passion was Lisa Maria Presley, the daughter of a cult musician. Nicolas Cage, whose biography already included a romantic love story, was able to win the heart of this star girl, whose previous chosen one was Michael Jackson himself. It was decided to celebrate the wedding on the island on which Lisa's father once shot one of his famous music films. Only close friends and relatives were invited to the celebration. But the marriage of the two celebrities did not become strong, and the couple broke up already three months after the magnificent wedding celebration. According to rumors, the reason for the divorce was the unflattering remarks of Lisa Maria about Nicholasâs passion for comics and racing cars. Cage once acquired a collection of stories about Superman for one and a half million dollars, so he did not begin to put up with his wifeâs dislike for this and preferred to leave. In addition, in his interviews, he admitted that his wife did not approve of his employment and demanded that he work less. Passions on the love front did not interfere with an active career - ribbons with the participation of the actor continued to be published annually.
Club of Twenty Million
The fees that Nicolas Cage received for his participation in the films grew rapidly. Soon he became a member of the so-called "Club of Twenty Million" - this amount is the minimum payment for participation in the film for its participants. That is exactly what he brought to the role in âTreasure of the Nationâ in 2004. In addition, he took part in such films as âThe Gun Baronâ and âThe Weather Forecasterâ in 2005, âThe Storm of Antsâ, âThe Wicker Manâ, âTowersâ âTwinâ and âClose-upâ in 2006, the year 2007 pleased the fans with his role in the film âThe Ghost Riderâ, and Nicholas himself was so inspired with the image of his hero that he inflamed with love for racing cars. In his interviews, he told reporters that for him a quick ride is the best way to relax. Driving along the highway without any thoughts of safety, the actor forgets about everything in the world.
Family happiness
The third wife of Nicolas Cage was Alice Kim, who, before meeting with the celebrity, worked as a simple waitress. It was with her that he managed to build a strong family. The girl shares the interests of her husband, and in his interviews, he boldly declares that he is now finally happy. But home comfort and peace do not attract the actor so much as to abandon roles in the movie. Over the past few years, a dozen tapes in which Nicolas Cage played appeared on the screens. The list of films is extensive: this âSignâ, âBad Lieutenantâ and âAstroboyâ in 2009, âKickâ, âSorcerer's Apprenticeâ, âTime of Witchesâ and âCrazy Ridingâ in 2010, 2011 pleased the audience the paintings âThe Hungry Rabbit Attacksâ, âWhat Hides the Liesâ and âFrozen Earthâ, and in 2012 the second part of the popular âGhost Riderâ and a tape called âMedallionâ were released. Finally, in 2013, he presented the picture âJoeâ to the audience; in addition, Cage took part in the voice acting of the animated film âThe Croods Familyâ.
A child from another planet
Nicolas Cage is convinced that comics are one of Americaâs most important contributions to world culture. He hung the whole house with pages from various hand-drawn stories, and he did not spare a million and a half dollars for the 1938 edition of Superman. It is not surprising that he decided to name Kal-El's son from his beloved wife Alice - just like an alien comic book hero. The young mother was so inspired by her husbandâs hobby that she did not mind for a minute. Nicolas Cage with her son are her own superheroes. This is what she told her husband, who told her about what name he chose for their first-born. Perhaps such unanimity has become the secret of their strong relationship.
Financial collapse
Despite the fact that the pictures where Nicolas Cage was shot brought him enormous fees, in 2009 rumors appeared about the bankruptcy of the actor. Due to the repayment of extensive debts, he lost four real estate worth seven million dollars. In this regard, Nicholas said that the problem was the result of the mistakes of his financial manager Samuel Levine. He began a lawsuit, trying to get redress. But the financier filed a counterclaim and stated that his services were not paid. He said that he often warned Nicolas Cage about unreasonable expenses, but he did not listen to his advice and continued to acquire expensive property. People close to the family report that other relatives are passionate about buying real estate. At the moment, the actor has an estate in the Bahamas, fifteen houses around the world, four yachts, a collection of antique and racing cars and many unique comics of great value. Thus, it is safe to say that, despite some problems, Cage has maintained his great fortune and is unlikely to face poverty, even if he does not try to make serious changes to his behavior.