Cage, Nicolas (1964- )

US actor. He brought an intensity and individuality to his roles in a range of films including Birdy (1984), Peggy Sue Got Married (1986), Moonstruck (1987), Adaptation (2002), Matchstick Men (2003), and The Weather Man (2004). A versatile and prolific talent, he received an Academy Award for his powerful performance as a dying alcoholic in Leaving Las Vegas (1995).

Cage made his film debut in Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982), a US teen cult classic. He then appeared in Rumble Fish (1983), directed by his uncle Francis Ford Coppola, and Valley Girl (1983), another teen classic that launched his career. He became well known for his heavy lidded eyes and wacky, deadpan charm. Other films include The Cotton Club (1984), Raising Arizona (1987), Wild at Heart (1990), The Rock (1996), Face/Off (1997), City of Angels (1998), Bringing Out the Dead (1999), Gone in 60 Seconds (2000), Captain Corelli's Mandolin (2001), and National Treasure (2004). He made his directorial debut in 2002 with the film Sonny.

Born in Long Beach, California, he studied at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco before making his television debut in the series The Best of Times (1982).

He was married to US actor Patricia Arquette 1995-2000 and US singer Lisa-Marie Presley 2002-03.