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Nicolas Cage

ACTOR · BORN 1964

Nicolas Cage

Born
7 January 1964, Long Beach, California, USA
Known for
Spider-Man (2002), Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011), Drive Angry (2011), Season of the Witch (2011)

64 archived facts 5 topics 2 sources Last reviewed Nov 2026

Nicolas Cage (born 7 January 1964) is an actor best known for Spider-Man, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance and Drive Angry.

64 Interesting Facts About Nicolas Cage

Interesting Facts (28)

  1. #001

    Cage said he noticed that great stars like Spencer Tracy had distinctive voices, and that he therefore deliberately stylized his own voice. This was part of his effort to create a signature of his own in acting. Today his voice has become one of his most recognizable features.

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  2. #002

    One night, waking in his Orange County home, Cage saw a naked man eating an ice cream bar in front of his bed. The man was arrested by police, but Cage did not press charges. The incident is just one of the many stories told about his unusual life.

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  3. #003

    In 'Vampire's Kiss' (1988), Cage ate a real cockroach; the scene was reportedly completed in three takes. Of the experience he said, "Every muscle in my body didn't want to do it, but I did it anyway." It is a sign of his commitment to acting and his willingness to push boundaries.

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  4. #004

    One of the reasons for Cage's divorce from Lisa Marie Presley was that her first husband, Danny Keough, was living in a guest house on the property. Cage found this highly inappropriate. The situation was one of the factors that increased tension between the couple.

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  5. #005

    Cage collects comic books and regards them as the mythology of our time. This perspective has shaped both his acting career and his personal interests. His passion for comic books also influenced his choice of stage name.

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  6. #006

    When Cage was arrested in New Orleans and faced charges of domestic abuse and disturbing the peace involving his wife Alice, the 11,000 dollars needed for bail was paid by Duane 'Dog' Chapman, known as 'Dog the Bounty Hunter'. The incident drew wide media attention. Cage was later acquitted of the charges.

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  7. #007

    David Lynch described Cage as 'the jazz musician of acting'. The comparison points to Cage's improvisational ability and his unpredictability on stage. Lynch's remark emphasizes how unique Cage's acting style is.

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  8. #008

    Cage bought the historic LaLurie House in New Orleans in 2007 for 3,450,000 dollars. The house is famous for claims that it is haunted by the ghosts of slaves tortured and killed by Delphine LaLurie in the 1830s. Cage's purchase of the house both aroused curiosity and led to controversy.

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  9. #009

    Nicolas Cage owns the original rights to 'The Courtship of Eddie's Father' (1963), which he bought from Ted Turner. He has said he acquired the rights in order to remake the film. The project has not yet come to fruition.

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  10. #010

    In the series 'American Horror Story' (2011), while touring the LaLaurie Mansion in New Orleans, Madison Montgomery (Emma Roberts) asks, "Wasn't this the house of the guy from Face/Off?" The tour guide replies, "That's right! Actor Nicolas Cage was the previous owner." Cage had indeed bought the house in 2007. The house is considered by many to be America's most haunted.

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  11. #011

    In 1997 Nicolas Cage was living in a fake castle on the outskirts of Los Angeles. He wanted to import an authentic castle from abroad. The wish reflects his interest in Gothic and historic places.

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  12. #012

    Nicolas Cage got Johnny Depp his first acting job. At the time, Depp was planning a career as a musician. Cage's guidance led Depp to step into the world of cinema.

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  13. #013

    Before settling on 'Cage' as his surname, Nicolas Cage considered 'Blue'. The option shows how many different alternatives he weighed in his search for a stage name. In the end, 'Cage' created an image that was both memorable and strong.

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  14. #014

    Nicolas Cage has a tattoo of a monitor lizard wearing a top hat on his upper back. The tattoo reflects his unusual tastes. Cage has other tattoos on his body as well.

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  15. #015

    In 2007 Nicolas Cage bought Midford Castle (though not a real castle) near the English city of Bath for an estimated 5 million pounds (about 10 million dollars). The purchase was part of his interest in historic properties. The castle was later put up for sale.

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  16. #016

    Nicolas Cage reserved a permanent grave site for himself in Saint Louis Cemetery in New Orleans, Louisiana. It shows his attachment to New Orleans and his plans after death. The cemetery is one of the city's most famous historic cemeteries.

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  17. #017

    Nicolas Cage is a huge Elvis Presley fan. In 'Wild at Heart' (1990), he performed the Elvis Presley classic 'Love Me' with remarkable skill. The performance showcased both his admiration for Presley and his musical ability.

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  18. #018

    Nicolas Cage owns a Lamborghini that once belonged to Prince Ali-Reza Pahlavi, the former prince of Iran. The car is one of the special pieces in his collection. Cage is interested in rare automobiles of historical value.

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  19. #019

    Nicolas Cage separated from his wife of 12 years, Alice Kim, on June 26, 2016. The couple share their 10-year-old son, Kal-El. The separation received wide media coverage.

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  20. #020

    Nicolas Cage was a very close friend of the late Johnny Ramone, guitarist of the punk rock band the Ramones. After Ramone's death, Cage paid tribute to him many times.

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  21. #021

    Nicolas Cage had to learn to play the mandolin for 'Captain Corelli's Mandolin'. Despite having no musical training, he found that playing the instrument came naturally to him. The experience shows his openness to new skills.

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  22. #022

    Nicolas Cage loves the lively, multicultural city of New Orleans and often shoots films there. The city is both a workplace and a source of inspiration for him. New Orleans' atmosphere has also been reflected in some of his films.

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  23. #023

    On the poster for 'Wild at Heart' (1990), his name is listed both as 'Nicolas Cage' and as 'Nicholas Cage'. The spelling difference was probably a printing error, but it has made the film of interest to collectors.

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  24. #024

    In 1999, Nicolas Cage was among the guests at the wedding of Spike Jonze and Sofia Coppola. Other guests included George Lucas, Jason Schwartzman, Bo Barrett, Kirsten Dunst and Tom Waits. The wedding was an event that brought together major Hollywood names.

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  25. #025

    In 2009, Nicolas Cage's former girlfriend Christina Fulton filed a $13 million lawsuit against him over a property transfer. They reached a settlement in June 2011. The lawsuit shows how complicated the relationship between the couple was.

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  26. #026

    On The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Nicolas Cage said he took the surname "Cage" from the comic-book character Luke Cage, whom he called "the first black superhero." That claim is incorrect: the first black superhero in mainstream comics is Marvel's Black Panther, introduced in 1966, while Luke Cage appeared in 1972, after characters such as Falcon (1969) and Dell Comics' Lobo (1965).

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  27. #027

    Nicolas Cage turned down the lead role in the animated film "Shrek" (2001), which went on to become a major success. He later voiced a father in DreamWorks Animation's "The Croods" (2013) and "The Croods: A New Age" (2020).

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  28. #028

    Nicolas Cage was a big fan of the Chicago black death metal band Veneficum and even started a MySpace group dedicated to them. Cage said he still loves artists such as Prince and that he would one day like to sing Veneficum songs at his famous karaoke parties.

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Behind the Scenes (12)

  1. #029

    For his role in Alan Parker's drama Birdy, Nicolas Cage lost weight and had two front teeth removed to appear disfigured; the film underperformed at the box office but drew positive reviews, with The New York Times critic Janet Maslin writing that Cage sympathetically captured Al's urgency and frustration.

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  2. #030

    Nicolas Cage starred with Saturday Night Live actors Jon Lovitz and Dana Carvey in the Christmas comedy Trapped in Paradise, which was heavily criticized and flopped at the box office. According to Lovitz, Cage directed parts of the film because director George Gallo provided little direction.

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  3. #031

    To prepare for Leaving Las Vegas, Nicolas Cage binge drank for two weeks and studied footage of himself.

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  4. #032

    He loves to improvise, and this can sometimes unsettle other actors. His approach brings an unexpected energy to his scenes. For some directors and actors, however, it can be challenging.

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  5. #033

    He trains in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Royce Gracie. He also trains in various other martial arts such as Wing Chun, Karate and Jeet Kune Do. These disciplines contribute to his performance in action scenes.

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  6. #034

    He became a father for the second time at the age of 41 when his third wife Alice Kim Cage gave birth to their son Kal-El Cage on October 3, 2005. Like himself, he named his son after a comic book character: Kal-El, that is, Superman. This is an indication of his passion for comic books.

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  7. #035

    There is an entire community on Reddit dedicated to him called 'One True God'. The community reflects his cult status and the devotion of his fan base. Members discuss his films and his personality.

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  8. #036

    On the poster for 'Wild at Heart' (1990), his name is listed as both 'Nicolas Cage' and 'Nicholas Cage'. The spelling discrepancy was probably the result of a printing error. The situation has nonetheless made the film of interest to collectors.

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  9. #037

    Nicolas Cage actually had his teeth pulled to make his performance in the 1984 film 'Birdy' more authentic. The film tells the story of two friends suffering from post-war trauma, and Cage's sacrifice contributed greatly to the realism of his performance. This event is remembered as one of the most striking sacrifices of his career.

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  10. #038

    As of 2023, Nicolas Cage's four favorite films include 'Juliet of the Spirits' (1965), 'The 400 Blows' (1959), '2001: A Space Odyssey' (1968) and 'Citizen Kane' (1941). Cage's appreciation of these films may have influenced his understanding of acting and his perspective on cinema. This list reveals his intellectual depth and his command of cinema history.

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  11. #039

    On The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Nicolas Cage said he took the surname 'Cage' from the comic book character Luke Cage and described him as the 'first black superhero'. However, this information is not correct; the first black superhero in mainstream comics is Marvel's Black Panther, introduced in 1966. Luke Cage appeared in 1972, and before him there were characters such as Falcon (1969) and Dell Comics' Lobo (1965).

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  12. #040

    The first live concert Nicolas Cage attended was a The Who concert in June 1969 at the Fillmore Stadium in San Francisco. This experience shows his interest in music and the cultural influences of his youth. The Who's performance remained an important moment in Cage's life and formed the basis of his musical taste. This concert is a turning point in his artistic development.

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Characters & Cast (5)

  1. #041

    Cage was considered for the role of Brad Hamilton in 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High' (1982), but the studio found his audition performance too dark and the role went to Judge Reinhold. He was also 17 at the time, so he could not work as long as actors over 18. In this film he appeared in the credits under the name Nicolas Coppola, the first and only time he did so.

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  2. #042

    Although Nicolas Cage played her father in 'Peggy Sue Got Married' (1986), he is one year younger than Helen Hunt. Cage was able to take on the role thanks to his youthful appearance.

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  3. #043

    Con Air producer Jerry Bruckheimer offered Nicolas Cage the lead role after being impressed by his work in Leaving Las Vegas and The Rock; Cage accepted even though he was disappointed not to be offered the villain part.

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  4. #044

    Nicolas Cage was set to star in 'Superman Lives', to be directed by Tim Burton, but Warner Bros. cancelled the project. Cage had even done costume rehearsals. The cancellation disappointed fans of both Cage and Burton.

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  5. #045

    On an A&E Biography program, the host stated that Nicolas Cage was director Sam Raimi's first choice for the role of Norman Osborn/Green Goblin in 'Spider-Man' (2002). This was before Willem Dafoe was approached. The role ultimately went to Dafoe.

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Career & Awards (9)

  1. #046

    In 1984, Cage was Johnny Depp's neighbor at the Fontenoy Tower apartments. At the time, Depp was a guitarist in the band Rock City Angels and was struggling financially. Both lived on the sixth floor. Thanks to Cage's constant encouragement and his introduction of Depp to his agent, Depp turned to acting and gave up his music career.

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  2. #047

    Every time Nicolas Cage has been nominated for an Oscar, he has played a screenwriter. The curious coincidence reflects the choices of his career. His nominations came for films such as 'Leaving Las Vegas' and 'Adaptation.'.

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  3. #048

    Critic Vincent Canby described Nicolas Cage's work in Vampire's Kiss as a "chaotic, self-indulgent performance" that dominated and destroyed the film.

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  4. #049

    Nicolas Cage was initially cast as Randy 'The Ram' Robinson in 'The Wrestler' (2008). However, Cage felt he did not have enough time to build muscle for the role and left the film because he knew director Darren Aronofsky's heart was set on Mickey Rourke. Rourke won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Oscar for the performance.

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  5. #050

    Journalist Alexander Larman said The Rock launched Nicolas Cage into an unexpected career as an offbeat action star.

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  6. #051

    Nicolas Cage auditioned for the role of Joel Goodson in 'Risky Business' (1983), but the part eventually went to Tom Cruise. Cruise's performance in the film became a turning point in his career. Cage went on to forge his own path.

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  7. #052

    Nicolas Cage attended and graduated from the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. This training gave him a solid foundation for his acting career. UCLA is a school that has produced many successful actors.

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  8. #053

    In 1998, Premiere magazine ranked Nicolas Cage 37th on its list of the 100 most powerful people in Hollywood. The ranking reveals his influence and popularity in the industry at the time. By appearing on the list, Cage proved his weight in the industry through both his acting career and his producing work; this achievement represents one of the high points of his career.

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  9. #054

    Nicolas Cage's birthday falls one day before that of Elvis Presley, of whom he is a great fan. Cage has often said throughout his career that he drew inspiration from Presley and loved his music.

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Life & Family (10)

  1. #055

    In the early 1980s, Nicolas Cage proposed to Patricia Arquette the day he met her. Arquette found him quite strange, but she played along and drew up a list of things Cage would have to do to win her. When Cage began working through the list, Arquette became frightened and kept her distance from him. Years later they reunited and eventually married.

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  2. #056

    At the age of 15, Nicolas Cage asked his uncle Francis Ford Coppola for a screen test, saying he would show him acting; the request was met with silence in the car.

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  3. #057

    Cage listed his five favorite films as 'The Wizard of Oz' (1939), 'A Streetcar Named Desire' (1951), 'East of Eden' (1955), '2001: A Space Odyssey' (1968) and 'A Clockwork Orange' (1971). The choices show that his taste in cinema spans a wide range. His interest in classics and the work of auteur directors is particularly notable.

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  4. #058

    Cage is the nephew of Francis Ford Coppola and Talia Shire. Cage, however, changed his stage name in order to achieve success on his own talent.

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  5. #059

    While working on Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Cage was put off by cast members constantly quoting his uncle's films, which led him to change his name.

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  6. #060

    Cage said that the reason he owned many properties in the past was to protect his money without buying stocks or trusting banks. He believed real estate was the safest route. When the property bubble burst, however, he sold most of his properties at a loss and abandoned that belief. He now owns a house in Las Vegas near his friends and a small country house near Glastonbury, England.

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  7. #061

    Nicolas Cage became a grandfather for the first time at age 50 when his son Weston Cage had a son named Lucian Augustus Coppola Cage on July 1, 2014. The event marked the start of a new generation in the Cage family. Cage greeted his grandchild's birth with great joy.

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  8. #062

    Just four days after marrying Erika Koike in Las Vegas, Nicolas Cage filed for annulment, claiming they had 'drunk to the point of intoxication' and did not understand what they were doing. The Blast reported that Koike also acknowledged the marriage was a mistake and would not contest the annulment. Cage also alleged fraud, claiming Koike did not disclose the extent of another relationship and an ongoing criminal matter.

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  9. #063

    Nicolas Cage is Robert Schwartzman's cousin; inspired by Nicolas, Schwartzman changed his name to Robert Schwartzman-Cage. The name change shows Cage's influence within the family. Schwartzman is also a musician and actor.

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  10. #064

    Nicolas Cage sold Schloss Neidstein, a castle in the village of Etzelwang in the German state of Bavaria. The castle was one of the many properties he owned, and its sale reflects his decisions about managing his real estate. Such investments by Cage are known as part of his luxurious lifestyle; the sale of the castle is a detail that arouses curiosity about his financial situation.

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Related pages

Sources & editorial notes

Reference databases

  • Wikipedia English Wikipedia article
  • IMDb IMDb name page (biography and trivia)

Sources for the entries on this page

  1. Wikipedia Nicolas Cage — WikipediaEncyclopedia · accessed 17 Sep 2026

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