The fact that Nicholas Cage pursued an acting career is perhaps not surprising upon discovering that his uncle is five time Academy Award winning director and producer Francis Ford Coppola.In order to escape from the criticisms that might come his way Nicholas Kim Coppola changed his name to Nicholas Cage at the beginning of his career.He made his screen debut in 1982 in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, a coming of age teen comedy written by Cameron Crowe.As well as Cage the film starred Sean Penn, Forest Whitaker, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Anthony Edwards who would all go on to be big stars.However his role was drastically cut and, disappointed, he began to sell popcorn at the Fairfax Theatre.But he wasn't there long as was soon cast in Valley Girl, which was to be his first lead role.

He then went on to work with his uncle in The Cotton Club and again in Peggy Sue Got Married but Cage's methods were getting extreme disappearing into his roles.

His performances became too flamboyant for many and he became a target for the critics. But one person who did like his performances was singer/actress Cher who requested that he play her young lover Ronny Cammereri in Moonstruck.

For his role as Cammereri, a baker who lost his hand in an accident, Cage earnt himself a Golden Globe nomination. Cher went on to win the Best Actress Oscar.

Cage wouldn't get his hands on an Oscar until 1995 for his performance in Leaving Las Vegas.

Cage played Ben Sanderson, a depressed alcoholic screenwriter who has lost everything due to his out of control drinking.

After finally losing his job and his family he takes all his possession to Las Vegas where he aims to commit suicide by alcohol consumption.

But upon arrival he meets Sera (Elizabeth Shue), a prostitute, with whom he develops a deep friendship and understanding.

The film was met well by the critics with Cage, Shue and director Mike Figgis all receiving Oscar nomination for their work, only Cage went on to win.

It would be another seven years before he was nominated again for his role as twins Charlie and Donald Kaufman in Adaptation, he lost out to Adrien Brody.

Most of his box office success has come in the action adventure genre of film with The Rock, as an FBI chemical weapons expert who infiltrates Alcatraz Island to stop a terrorism plot and National Treasure as an eccentric historian who goes on a dangerous adventure to find hidden treasure.

2007 saw him take on the role of the Marvel Comic character Johnny Blaze aka Ghost Rider.

Despite having one of the biggest opening weekends in America of the year, and grossing nearly $230 million at the global box office, the movie was panned by the critics.

However there are rumours of a sequel with Cage interested in returning to the role of Ghost Rider.

He will next be seen in National Treasure: Book of Secrets as he returns as Benjamin Gates, who along with returning actors Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha and Jon Voight, sets out to prove the innocence of his great-great grandfather, who is believed to be behind the assassination of President Lincoln.

National Treasure Book of Secrets is released 8th February.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw

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