Nicolas Cage: American Film Actor
Biography
Full Name: Nicolas Kim Coppola
Date of Birth: January 7, 1964
Place of Birth: Long Beach, California, USA
Nationality: American
Profession: Actor, Producer, Director
Height: 6 feet (1.83 m)
Early Life and Education
Nicolas Cage was born into the famous Coppola family. His father, August Coppola, was a literature professor, and his mother, Joy Vogelsang, was a dancer and choreographer. He is the nephew of legendary director Francis Ford Coppola and actress Talia Shire, and cousin to director Sofia Coppola and actor Jason Schwartzman.
To distance himself from his famous family and avoid accusations of nepotism, he adopted the stage name Nicolas Cage, inspired by comic book character Luke Cage.
Cage attended Beverly Hills High School , known for its strong performing arts program, and later enrolled at the UCLA School of Theatre, Film and Television, but he left before completing his degree to pursue acting full-time.
Family
Cage has been married five times. His notable marriages include:
Patricia Arquette
(1995–2001)
Lisa Marie Presley
(2002–2004)
Alice Kim
(2004–2016) – with whom he shares a son, Kal-El
(named after Superman)
He also has an older son, Weston Coppola Cage, from a previous relationship with actress Christina Fulton.
In 2021, he married Riko
Shibata , a Japanese actress.
Career
Early Career and Breakthrough
Cage began acting in the early 1980s with roles in Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) and Valley Girl (1983). His breakthrough came with critically acclaimed performances in films like Raising Arizona (1987) and Moonstruck (1987).
Mainstream Success
In the 1990s, Cage rose to major stardom with a mix of dramatic and action-packed roles:
Leaving Las Vegas (1995) – earned him an Academy Award
The Rock (1996)
Con Air (1997)
Face/Off (1997)
City of Angels (1998)
National Treasure series (2004, 2007)
His versatility allowed him to excel in a variety of genres, from action to drama and dark comedies.
Recent Work and Resurgence
Though he experienced a period of financial trouble and starred in numerous low-budget films, Cage saw a career resurgence with acclaimed roles in:
mandy (2018)
Pig (2021) – widely praised performance
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022) – a meta-comedy where he played himself
Net Worth
As of 2024, Nicolas Cage's net worth is estimated at $25 million. He once earned over $150 million from acting but faced financial setbacks due to extravagant spending and unpaid taxes. He has since rebuilt his career and finances through steady work in independent and mainstream films.
Awards and Honours
Academy Award for Best Actor – Leaving Las Vegas (1996)
Golden Globe Awards
Screen Actors Guild Awards
Multiple Critics' Awards
Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (1998)
Legacy
Nicolas Cage is known for his intense, eclectic acting style and fearless role choices. He is widely respected for his dedication to the craft and remains a cult favourite, with a filmography that spans decades and genres.
