"Nic's a jazz musician of actors.  Complete unafraid."
David Lynch, director (Wild at Heart, Twin Peaks)

"With Nic, you never know what's going to happen.   I've been to the airport to drop him off and gotten on the plane."
Phil Roy, songwriter, close friend

"...a poet who will do anything."
Norman Jewison, director (Moonstruck,...And Justice For All)

"Nicolas was always fascinating to watch, even when he was little."
Francis Ford Coppola, uncle, director (Apocalypse Now, The Godfather)

Having recently played a heavenly being in the film 'City of Angels,' actor Nicolas Cage has been an other-worldly presence in many popular films.  Never attacking a role from a traditional standpoint, his quirky performances have sometimes drawn as much criticism as praise -- but there's no question the talented star has contributed an undeniably important body of work to American film industry.

The thirty-four-year-old Cage was born Nicholas Ford Coppola (nephew of legendary director Francis Ford Coppola) in Long Beach, California on January 7, 1964.  He lived there until his family moved to San Francisco when he was 12. 

He began acting at the age of 15 when he enrolled in San Francisco's American Conservatory Theatre, where he appeared in the school's production of "Golden Boy."  He later moved to Los Angeles, and, while still a high school student, landed a role in the short-lived TV series, "The Best of Times."

He made his feature film debut in 1983 courtesy of his Uncle Francis, who case him in 'Rumble Fish.'  His first starring role was that same year, in the sleeper comedy 'Valley Girl.'

The next year Cage made his first serious dramatic impression in 'Birdy,' co-starring Matthew Modine.  He took his first critical hit in his uncle's film, 'Peggy Sue Got Married' (1986), where his performance opposite Kathleen Turner wasn't well-received.

But his goofiness was much more appreciated in David Lynch's bizarre odyssey, 'Wild At Heart,' (1990) and the Coen brothers' minor masterpiece 'Raising Arizona' (1987).

Although he continued to find success in comedy in the popular films 'Moonstruck' (1987) and 'Honeymoon in Vegas' (1992), it was his performance in 'Leaving in Las Vegas' that cemented his superstardom.  The multi-layered portrayal of an alcoholic screenwriter determined to drink himself to death won almost every major critic's award including the Best Actor Oscar.

Once again, however, Cage's career took on an unexpected turn.  Starting with the blockbuster movie 'The Rock' (1996) co-starring Sean Connery, Cage took on starring roles in the testosterone-triumphing heroics of 'Con Air' and 'Face/Off' (both from the summer of '97).  His next film will find him playing the real Man of Steel in 'Superman Lives.'

Cage has been remarkable in finding screen success in a variety of genres, from action to comedy to heartbreaking drama.  He is obviously one of the most versatile leading men of his generation -- a guarantee that his stardom will continue into the next millenium.