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THE PRINCE OF SHY

The 1992 ‘Sexiest Man Alive’ Makes Rare Public Appearance

The Oscar-nominated actor last walked a red carpet four years ago.

Nick Nolte in the 1991 film "The Prince of Tides."

The Prince of Tides


Nick Nolte, 85, has returned to the red carpet for the first time in four years.

The Oscar-nominated actor posed for photos outside the Venice Film Festival in Italy on Tuesday, making a rare appearance at the premiere of his new film, Company.

Nick Nolte walks the red carpet during the "Company" Screening during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on September 08, 2026 in Venice, Italy.

Nick Nolte attended the "Company" Screening during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on September 08, 2026 in Venice, Italy.

Daniele Venturelli/Daniele Venturelli/WireImage

Nolte last attended a red carpet in October 2022, during the world premiere of The Golden Voice at the Philadelphia Film Festival.

Nick Nolte attends the "Company" Screening during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival at Sala Grande on September 8, 2026, in Venice, Italy.

Nick Nolte attends the "Company" Screening during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival at Sala Grande on September 8, 2026, in Venice, Italy.

Alessandra Benedetti - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

The publicity-shy star was joined in Italy by his Company co-stars at the event, including Casey Affleck, Caylee Cowan, Emily Alyn Lind, Scoot McNairy, Adelaide Clemens, and Affleck’s 22-year-old son Indiana.

Both of Affleck’s 18-year-old sons, Indiana and Atticus, whom he shares with ex-wife Summer Phoenix, appear in the film.

Spanning three generations, Company is a gothic mystery set at a holiday gathering, written and directed by Affleck, who also appears in the film.

Nick Nolte joins his "Company" co-stars and Alberto Barbera, artistic director of the Venice Film Festival, on the red carpet of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival.

Nick Nolte joins his "Company" co-stars and Alberto Barbera, artistic director of the Venice Film Festival, on the red carpet of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival.

Yara Nardi/Yara Nardi/REUTERS

During a press conference, when reporters asked Nolte how he prepares to play a character described as “broken inside,” he reportedly answered. “It’s preparation; it’s the amount of time. You get the story, and then I get started to prepare for it.”

“And if you’re lucky, the timing of your preparation matches the shooting schedule, and you hit moments that you didn’t know if you could conjure them up,” Nolte added.

Nick Nolte during the 6th Annual Moving Picture Ball Honoring Martin Scorsese at Century Plaza Hotel in Century City, California, United States.

Earlier in his career, Nick Nolte attended red carpet events far more frequently. Here, he dons a tuxedo for the 6th Annual Moving Picture Ball at the Century Plaza Hotel in 1991.

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

He also noted the director’s role in helping an actor “figure out a way to play.”

Nick Nolte with his then-wife, Rebecca Linger, during the 56th Annual New York Film Critics Circle Awards at the Rainbow Room in New York City in 1991.

Nick Nolte with his then-wife, Rebecca Linger, during the 56th Annual New York Film Critics Circle Awards at the Rainbow Room in New York City in 1991.

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Nolte became famous for his performance opposite Barbra Streisand in the 1991 romantic drama The Prince of Tides, which earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor and an Academy Award nomination.

Actor Nick Nolte on January 15, 1986, in Los Angeles, California.

While Nolte's breakthrough role came in 1991 with "The Prince of Tides, he started appearing in films in the 1970s.

Bob Riha Jr/Getty Images

He has two children: Brawley, 40, whom he shares with late ex-wife Rebecca Linger, and Sophia, 18, whom he shares with wife Clytie Lane.

In 1992, he was voted People’s Sexiest Man Alive, where he was described as a “big-lug Adonis with the heart of gold.”

Nick Nolte on the cover of People magazine as the "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1992.

Nick Nolte was People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1992.

People

Ten years later, the actor’s infamous DUI arrest spread across the internet, leaving a permanent mark on pop culture.

Actor Nick Nolte is pictured in this booking photo released by the California Highway Patrol on September 12, 2002. Nick Nolte was arrested September 11 on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Actor Nick Nolte was arrested on September 11 on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs after a CHP officer observed him swerving his 1992 Mercedes-Benz into opposing traffic near his Malibu home. Nolte was cited and released.

Handout ./California Highway Patrol/REUTERS/HO

During an interview with People about his 2017 memoir, Nolte said he admitted himself to a “renowned psychiatric institution known for its addiction programs.”

“I was just worn out,” he recalled.

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