Jack the Lad admits role mirrors his own life

Hollywood hellraiser Jack Nicholson admitted today he could see some of himself in his new role as an older man with a penchant for younger women.

The 66-year-old actor was in London to promote Something’s Gotta Give, the romantic comedy in which Nicholson stars alongside Diane Keaton and Keanu Reeves.

The film, which opens next weekend, sees Nicholson play an ageing music industry executive who only dates younger women until he falls for Keaton, the mother of his latest young infatuation.

Nicholson, who has dated a string of younger beauties, including Men In Black II star Lara Flynn Boyle, said the film’s director Nancy Meyers had written the script with him in mind.

“Nancy wrote the script for me,” he told a press conference in central London.

“I talked to her about it in advance while she was working on it.

“I guess it’s got some good pieces of what my life has been like.”

Asked if he was going to start going out with older women, the Hollywood star, who has a reputation as a serial womaniser, said age had never been the issue.

“It’s never been a matter of years for me. I don’t really go by age that much,” he said.

Annie Hall star Keaton, 58, scooped a Golden Globe for Best Comedy Actress and has been nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for her part in the film, which has proved a hit in the US.

Nicholson’s character Harry Sanborn begins to fall for Keaton after he suffers a heart attack while staying at the home of his latest infatuation Marin, played by Amanda Peet.

Asked if he felt he was getting old, the actor said his raving days were over and that he would be spending his time in London quietly.

“I’ve been walking pretty slow upstairs for a long time,” said Nicholson, who wore sunglasses throughout the press conference.

“All my pals seem to be out of town. I’m just here for a couple of days so I won’t be able to play Jack the Lad on this trip.

“All good things come to an end. I’m not much of a raver any more. I think it’s unattractive.”

Peet told the press conference that she also drew on her background for the Warner Bros movie.

The 32-year-old said: “My mum is single. We have both been single at the same time over the last 10 or 15 years.

“I thought it was quite natural that the daughter would step aside when she sees a flicker of interest.

“Other people thought that was a bit strange but I thought of course Diane Keaton should get him.

“I related to it because my mum has been through the dating nightmare.”