Introduced to the Cinema world in the film "Valley Girl"(1982) as the boy from the wrong side of the tracks, actor Nicolas Cage is known as an actor that takes acting seriously. Cage has been known to do just about anything to get into character for his role. While filming "Birdy"(1984) he had two teeth pulled without freezing and for "Vampire's Kiss" (1989) he ate a live cockroach. For his Oscar winning performance in "Leaving Los Vegas" (1995) he went out and got bombed all in the name of his art. His dedication to his art shows.

Born Nicholas Coppola in Long Beach, California on January 7, 1964, he changed his name in honor of the composer John Cage and a comic book hero Luke Cage. Cage's name change reflected his need to ensure that his acting career would not hinge on the reputation of his famous uncle Francis Ford Coppola a filmmaker. Cage's mother Joy Vogelsang, a dancer-choreographer, suffered from severe depression and was hospitalized quite a few times while he was growing up. As a result, Cage and his two older brothers were raised primarily by their comparative literature professor father, August Coppola. He instilled his sons an appreciation for great works of art, literature, and cinema. (Some of this appreciation may have been due to Grandfather Carmine Coppola's profession as Composer.) Every summer, the Coppola family would go to San Francisco to spend time with their Dad's brother Francis Ford Coppola. At the age of 15, Cage took advantage of one of these summer visits to study acting at the San Francisco's American Conservatory Theater.

Nicolas Cage's career is strong and the Oscar winning performer has the privilege of picking the films he wants to do. Cage doesn't let money influence his decision, though. He is just as likely to select a part that doesn't pay much as he did when he chose to accept the part in the film "Leaving Las Vegas", the role that would net him the coveted Best Actor Oscar. Cage's personal relationships consisted of a relationship with Christina Fulton which gave him a son, Weston, and a brief marriage to actress Patricia Arquette, which ended amicably. Rather than concentrate on his personal life, Cage chooses to concentrate on his acting career.