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Nicholas King Nolte (born February 8, 1941) is an Oscar-nominated American actor, model, and producer.

He's 66!

Nolte was born in Omaha, Nebraska. His father, Frank Nolte, a farmer's son and an itinerant irrigation pump salesman of part German descent, was an All-American candidate at Iowa State in 1934. His mother, Helen King, was a department store buyer; her father invented the hollow-tile silo and was prominent in early aviation. Nolte's maternal grandmother ran the student union at Iowa State University.

Nolte was educated at Omaha Benson High School and Westside High School, Omaha; Arizona State University (on a football scholarship); Eastern Arizona College, Thatcher, Arizona; and Phoenix College, Phoenix, Arizona. Poor grades eventually ended his studies, at which point his career in theatre began in earnest. After stints at the Pasadena Playhouse and Stella Adler's Academy in Los Angeles Nolte spent several years travelling the country and working in regional theaters. In 1962, Nolte was given five years probation for selling fake draft cards.

He has a lengthy screen career, including parts in B-movies and television films. Nolte has starred in over 40 films playing a wide variety of characters. Diversity of character is Nolte's signature of his film career. He is known for his trademark athleticism and gravel-voiced characters. According to a written note owned by Richard Donner, Nolte was the first choice to play Superman in the 1978 film starring Christopher Reeve. He also lost the role of Han Solo to Harrison Ford in the 1977 classic, Star Wars.

Nolte has been a heavy drinker; Katharine Hepburn remarked about him falling down drunk in every gutter in town, to which Nolte replied, "I've got a few to go yet". He has been working on achieving sobriety since 1990.

Nolte has also been known to have a drug abuse problem, but a subsequent rehabilitation helped his career. He received help at the Silver Hill Hospital in Connecticut after being arrested on suspicion of drunk driving in Malibu, California. Tests showed the influence of GHB. His infamous mug shot was posted on The Smoking Gun web site.

While he still smokes cigarrettes, Nolte is trying to keep healthy by a regimen of vitamins and eating organic food only.

He has been involved with Sheila Page, Karen Louise Eklund, Sharyn Haddad, Debra Winger, Vicki Lewis, and Rebecca Linger. He is currently divorced. Nolte has an older sister, Nancy, who was an executive for the Red Cross. Nolte has a son, Brawley, with Linger. Brawley Nolte is also an actor, having prominently featured as Mel Gibson's kidnapped son in the 1996 film Ransom.

Nick Nolte currently resides in Malibu, California.

Other February 8th Birthdays:

Ted Koppel-ABC News Anchor -67
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Dan Seals-Country Singer -59
Brooke Adams-Actress -58
Mary Steenburgen-Actress -54
John Girsham-Author -52
Gary Coleman-Actor -39
Mary McCormack-Actress -38
Seth Green-Actor/Austin Powers -33
Karle Warren-Actress/Judging Amy -15