Known by his stage name Nicolas Cage, Nicolas Kim Coppola is an American-born actor, producer, and philanthropist. Cage is popular for playing deep, intense roles and has appeared in movies such as Raising Arizona (1987), Moonstruck (1987), Leaving Las Vegas (1995), Con Air (1997) and City of Angels (1998). For essaying Ben Sanderson in the romantic drama film, Leaving Las Vegas, Cage bagged the Golden Globe Award and Academy Award for Best Actor. To felicitate his contribution to American cinema, the actor received an Honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts from California State University, Fullerton, in 2001.
Early Life
Born in California, the USA to Joy Vogelsang, a choreographer and August Coppola, a literature professor, Cage’s paternal grandfather were Carmine Coppola, a music composer, and his paternal grandmother was Italia Pennino, an actress. Cage’s uncle is the renowned Hollywood filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, who is the man behind movies such as The Godfather, The Godfather Part II, and Apocalypse Now. In fact, Cage adopted a different stage name, only because he wanted to build his own identity in the industry and didn’t want to be known just as Francis Ford Coppola’s nephew. The actor also has two older brothers- Marc and Christopher.
Encouraged by his father to, Cage enrolled in Beverly Hills High School, famous for producing top-notch entertainers like Angelina Jolie, David Schwimmer, and Lenny Kravitz. There he realized that he is meant to act and no amount of formal education can teach him that. Largely noted for his method acting, Cage then dropped out of school, making his television debut with Best of Times, in 1981. He later graduated UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television.
Personal Life
Nicolas Cage was in a long-term relationship with actress and model Christina Fulton. The couple also has a son Weston Coppola Cage, born in 1990. However, due to irreconcilable differences, both parted ways. Their son is also an actor in the Hollywood industry, known for appearing in movies like Lord of War (2005), Rage (2014) and Deet 'n Bax Save Th World (2015).
He has been, since then, married three times- His first marriage to his Bringing Out the Dead co-star Patricia Arquette, lasted for six years, from 1995 to 2001. His second marriage to Elvis Presley’s daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, was a very short-lived one. The couple tied the knot in 2002 and got a divorce in 2004. He then married the ex-waitress, Alice Kim, in a private ceremony at a ranch on July 30, 2004. They have a son Kal-El, born in 2005. Both of them announced their separation in January 2016.
Movie Career
As an Actor
After appearing in a small role in Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982), Cage went on to star in the American romantic comedy Valley girl, which was loosely based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. He, subsequently played had a minor role in Francis Ford Coppola’s critically acclaimed film Rumble Fish (1983). Cage then featured in movies like The Cotton Club (1984), Birdy (1984), Peggy Sue Got Married (1986), Moonstruck (1987), Wild at Heart (1990), Vampire's Kiss (1992) and the comedy Honeymoon in Vegas (1992).
In 1995, for portraying the role of the suicidal alcoholic screenwriter, Ben Sanderson in Mike Figgis romantic drama film Leaving Las Vegas, Cage received worldwide critical acclaim, taking home his first Oscar for his leading role. He further appeared in starring roles in movie such as Michael Bay’s action thriller The Rock (1996), Brian De Palma's Snake Eyes (1998), and Dominic Sena’s action drama Gone in 60 Seconds (2000), and Spike Jonze’s comedy-drama Adaptation (2002). In 2004, the actor appeared in the holiday blockbuster National Treasure, playing an archaeologist-historian who believes a treasure map is hidden on the back of the Declaration of Independence. Directed by Jon Turteltaub, the movie along with Cage starred Harvey KeitelJon Voight, Sean Bean, and Christopher Plummer in the lead roles.
He has also been a part of the commercially successful, supernatural superhero film, Ghost Rider (2007), where he played the titular role, which he later reprised it in its sequel Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2014). Nicolas Cage’s 2017 release includes Steven C. Miller’s thriller film Arsenal, which along with cage stars John Cusack, Adrian Grenier, Lydia Hull, and Heather Johansen in important roles.
As a Director
Cage made his directorial debut with the crime drama film Sonny. Starring James Franco, the movie bombed at the box office, with a 23% rating on review aggregate Rotten Tomatoes.
As Producer
He has been a producer behind movies like Sonny (2002), Lord of War (2005), The Wicker Man (2006), and Bangkok Dangerous (2008).