Claim: Jack Nicholson is an actor.

Five Easy Pieces is a 1970 American drama film written by Carole Eastman -LRB- as Adrien Joyce -RRB- and Bob Rafelson , and directed by Rafelson . The film stars Jack Nicholson , with Karen Black , Susan Anspach , Ralph Waite , and Sally Struthers in supporting roles .   The film tells the story of a surly oil rig worker , Bobby Dupea , whose seemingly rootless , blue-collar existence belies his privileged youth as a piano prodigy . When Bobby learns that his father is dying , he goes home to see him , bringing along his girlfriend , Rayette -LRB- Black -RRB- , a waitress . Nicholson and Black were nominated for Academy Awards for their performances .   The film was selected to be preserved by the Library of Congress in the National Film Registry in 2000 .