Nicolas Cage is without a doubt one of the most misunderstood stars of our time. While his talent has always been evident through his work, his eccentric personal choices often become the subject of public discussion. We believe Cage is a truly unique individual and an exceptional actor whose life has been as fascinating as his on-screen performances.
#1. He almost played the Man of Steel in the 90s.
Superman Lives was a project that had Tim Burton as the director and Jon Peters as the producer, with Nicolas Cage cast as Superman. However, the movie underwent numerous rewrites and design changes throughout the 1990s, leading to its eventual cancellation. A documentary was released in 2015 detailing why the film never saw the light of day. Had it been made, Cage’s career and the portrayal of Superman could have taken a dramatically different direction.
#2. He dropped a cool $300,000 on a dino skull.
In 2007, Nicolas Cage participated in an auction and ended up purchasing a dinosaur skull for $276,000, outbidding fellow actor Leonardo DiCaprio. In 2014, Cage was asked to return the skull after it was discovered to be stolen. Unaware of its illicit origins, Cage cooperated fully, and the skull, which had been illegally taken from Mongolia, was returned to the authorities without any legal repercussions for him.
#3. He had to clear the air about those vampire rumors.
In 2012, a bizarre conspiracy theory emerged claiming Nicolas Cage was a vampire after a photograph from 1870 showing a man bearing a striking resemblance to him went viral. This led to rampant rumors, forcing Cage to address the claims on The Late Show with David Letterman. He clarified, saying, “Now look, I don’t drink blood and the last time I looked in the mirror I had a reflection.”
#4. He wants to go out in a blaze of pyramid glory.
Nicolas Cage has made arrangements for his afterlife by purchasing a pyramid-shaped tomb in a New Orleans cemetery. The 9-foot-tall pyramid, inscribed with the Latin phrase “Omnia Ab Uno” (Everything From One), stands out among the other graves. Cage has not publicly explained why he chose this unique final resting place.
#5. He was almost the chocolatier extraordinaire in Willy Wonka.
During the development of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Tim Burton considered Nicolas Cage for the role of Willy Wonka. Known for his unconventional casting choices, Burton saw Cage as an intriguing option. However, he ultimately decided to go with Johnny Depp, a frequent collaborator, who embodied the quirky and eccentric nature of the character.
#6. He once had a 4-day marriage that was faster than a speeding bullet.
In 2019, Nicolas Cage married his girlfriend, makeup artist Erika Koike, in a spontaneous Las Vegas ceremony. Just four days later, Cage filed for an annulment, claiming he was not fully aware of his actions when they got married. The annulment was granted two months after his initial petition, officially ending his fourth marriage.
#7. He chowed down on a live cockroach (not recommended).
In the movie Vampire’s Kiss, Nicolas Cage’s character was originally scripted to suck a raw egg in a scene where he descends into madness. Finding this unremarkable, Cage suggested eating live cockroaches instead, despite his fear of them. He went ahead and chewed on a live cockroach, believing it would deliver a more shocking and memorable moment for audiences.
#8. He woke up to find a stranger sharing his bed (talk about a rude awakening).
Cage once had a frightening encounter when he woke up to find a naked stranger at the foot of his bed, wearing Cage’s leather jacket and eating a Fudgesicle. Cage, who was sleeping beside his wife at the time, calmly persuaded the intruder to leave before calling the police. Thankfully, the man was not dangerous.
#9. ‘Cage’ is just a stage name.
Nicolas Cage was born Nicolas Kim Coppola, making him the nephew of legendary director Francis Ford Coppola. Early in his career, he realized that his famous surname could overshadow his achievements, so he chose the stage name “Cage.” He was inspired by Marvel‘s Luke Cage and the avant-garde composer John Cage.
#10. Jim Carrey wanted him to be his partner in crime in Dumb and Dumber.
Nicolas Cage and Jim Carrey were close friends and wanted to collaborate on a project. When the script for Dumb and Dumber came up, Carrey invited Cage to co-star with him. However, Cage was looking to move away from mainstream projects and focus on more independent films. He opted to star in Leaving Las Vegas, a role that earned him an Academy Award, instead.
#11. He’s a serial monogamist with five marriages under his belt.
Cage’s first marriage was to actress Patricia Arquette in 1995, after a seven-year courtship. They divorced in 2001, and Cage went on to marry Lisa Marie Presley in 2002, but the marriage ended a few months later. He then married Alice Kim in 2004, a union that lasted until 2016. His fourth marriage to Erika Koike lasted only a few days in 2019. Since 2020, he has been married to Riko Shibata, and they appear to be happily together.
#12. He once had a couple of king cobras as pets (because why not?).
In an interview, Cage revealed that he owned two king cobras, which he described as quite aggressive. He shared that the snakes would try to hypnotize him by displaying their backs before striking. After he shared this story on The Late Show with David Letterman, neighbors expressed concern, prompting Cage to rehome the cobras to a zoo.
