Introduction to Nicolas Cage

Book excerpt: Nicolas Cage is an American actor, director, and producer who has been a prominent figure in Hollywood for over three decades. Born Nicolas Kim Coppola in Long Beach, California in 1964, Cage is the nephew of legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola. Cage began his acting career in the early 1980s and quickly gained critical acclaim for his performances in films such as "Raising Arizona" (1987), "Moonstruck" (1987), and "Leaving Las Vegas" (1995), for which he won an Academy Award for Best Actor. Over the years, Cage has established himself as one of the most versatile actors in the industry, with a range of roles spanning from action movies like "Con Air" (1997) and "National Treasure" (2004) to dramas like "The Weather Man" (2005) and "Joe" (2013). Although Cage's career has seen its ups and downs, he has remained a beloved and iconic figure among audiences. With over 100 acting credits to his name, Cage continues to work on a variety of film projects and is considered one of the most unique and intriguing performers of his generation.