Ray Winstone Bluntly Critiques Jack Nicholson’s Set Behavior
Ray Winstone isn’t one to hold back. Recently, he laid bare his feelings about Jack Nicholson, reviving a feud that’s quietly simmered since they filmed Martin Scorsese’s The Departed back in 2006. Winstone didn’t mince words on the podcast 'Things We Like with Eamonn & Paul,' describing Nicholson as “very rude” and “up his own a***.” Not every day you hear someone candidly call out a Hollywood legend like Nicholson, but Winstone was clear—he has serious issues with the man, even after all these years.
The root of this grudge? According to Winstone, it goes deeper than clashing egos or creative disagreements. He claims Nicholson’s attitude wasn’t just on-camera bravado. “He was very rude to me, he was rude to my wife,” Winstone explained, recalling incidents that left a sour taste. Winstone, known for his tough-guy roles, didn’t shy away from saying that if Nicholson were a bit younger at the time, things might’ve gotten physical. “If he had been a younger man, I’d have definitely knocked him out,” he admitted, half-joking but dead serious underneath.
Despite the frostiness, Winstone isn’t blind to Nicholson’s talent. He went as far as to call him a “fantastic” actor—and even said he’d work with him again, if it came down to it. The catch? “He kept telling us he was a great writer,” Winstone added wryly, referencing Nicholson’s constant reminders of his own genius on set. That attitude, as far as Winstone’s concerned, just doesn’t fly with him. It’s that mix of professional respect and personal disdain that gives this story its edge.
How Set Dynamics Shaped a Lasting Hollywood Feud
Working on The Departed was a huge moment for Winstone, bringing him face-to-face with Nicholson, Scorsese, and Leonardo DiCaprio. Yet, the dream gig quickly soured behind the scenes. Winstone said Nicholson’s “smarmy” behavior wasn’t just a one-off; it stayed consistent throughout filming. The awkwardness even spilled over to Winstone’s wife, Elaine, who didn’t escape Nicholson’s sharp tongue.
The British actor, now 68, compared Nicholson unfavorably to his own grandfather, who he said commanded respect in a completely different way. Winstone isn’t shy about voicing his dislike. “I’m not a liar, just because he’s Jack Nicholson. I don’t like him,” he told the podcast hosts. That straight-talking honesty is classic Winstone, and probably why his comments have made such a splash.
Even as he criticizes Nicholson, Winstone isn’t burning every bridge. He’s the first to admit he’d work with Nicholson again, despite everything—if only for the professional benefits. That’s Hollywood, right? Talent and egos don’t always mesh, but sometimes, the show must go on, grudges and all.