The frum world is no different

Kathleen Turner vividly remembers the moment Jack Nicholson leaned in and gave her a piece of advice she would carry with her throughout her Hollywood career.

She was still new to the industry, riding the high of early success, when Nicholson, already a veteran, pulled her aside at a party in the early 1980s. His words were blunt but well-intentioned: “Watch yourself. This town will chew you up if you let it. Don’t trust everyone who smiles at you.”

Turner, who was about to become one of the most sought-after actresses of the decade, was taken aback. She had already experienced the intense pressure of Hollywood, but hearing it from Nicholson made it feel real. He elaborated on what he meant, warning her about how people in the industry manipulate others, promising roles or opportunities only to take advantage of them. “They’ll tell you you’re the next big thing today and act like they never met you tomorrow. Keep your head straight.”

For Turner, who had broken through with "Body Heat" in 1981, the warning came at the perfect time. She had been getting more offers, and the entertainment world was showering her with praise. But as Nicholson cautioned, not all of it was genuine. “You’re going to get scripts you love, roles you’d kill for, but sometimes the price isn’t worth it. If someone makes you uncomfortable, walk away.”

She later reflected on this conversation in interviews, admitting that Nicholson’s advice helped her see Hollywood’s hidden dangers before experiencing them firsthand. In her memoir, she described how men in power often expected something in return for career advancement. She never named names, but she made it clear that she had encountered the kind of behavior Nicholson warned her about.

One of the biggest lessons she took from him was to never let the industry define her. “Jack told me, ‘The moment they think they own you, you lose.’” Turner saw this play out as she became an A-list star with films like "Romancing the Stone" and "Prizzi’s Honor." She turned down roles that didn’t feel right, even if they promised big paychecks or critical acclaim.

Years later, when reflecting on Nicholson’s words, Turner acknowledged how right he was. She saw actors come and go, some losing themselves in the process. She credited her ability to stand her ground to that early warning. “He told me what no one else had the guts to say. And he was right.”