Most Famous Nicholases in the World

Celebrities named Nicholas or Nicolas span film, television, music, fashion, and literature, with careers that reach audiences across continents and languages. Many of them have led global franchises, shaped modern cinema from behind the camera, scored award-winning productions, or written stories that became blockbuster adaptations. Together, they show how this classic name appears on marquee posters, album credits, and streaming splash pages all over the world.

Below is a carefully curated lineup of well-known Nicholases and Nicolases working in the arts and entertainment industries. Each entry highlights concrete achievements and widely recognized credits so you can quickly see why these figures are fixtures in popular culture.

Nicolas Cage

An American actor and producer, Nicolas Cage won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in ‘Leaving Las Vegas’ and earned further nominations for ‘Adaptation’. He has headlined major studio hits including ‘Face/Off’, ‘Con Air’, and ‘National Treasure’, and has also taken on acclaimed independent projects like ‘Pig’ and ‘Mandy’.

Cage comes from the Coppola filmmaking family and launched his career under his birth name before adopting his stage surname. Beyond acting, he has produced films through his companies and has voice credits in animation such as ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ and ‘The Croods’.

Nicholas Hoult

English actor Nicholas Hoult first broke out as a child performer in ‘About a Boy’ and later became widely known on television through ‘Skins’. On the big screen, he plays Hank McCoy/Beast in the ‘X-Men’ series and appears in high-profile titles such as ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ and ‘The Favourite’.

Hoult leads the historical comedy-drama ‘The Great’ and portrays the title character in the horror-comedy ‘Renfield’. His filmography also includes dark comedies and prestige dramas, reflecting steady work across studio and independent productions.

Nicolas Winding Refn

Danish filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn is best known internationally for directing ‘Drive’, which brought him major festival recognition and a broad audience. His earlier ‘Pusher’ trilogy developed a cult following, and his stylized approach continued in ‘Only God Forgives’ and ‘The Neon Demon’.

On streaming, Refn created the limited series ‘Too Old to Die Young’ and the later ‘Copenhagen Cowboy’, both noted for their distinctive visuals and crime-noir themes. He frequently collaborates with composers and cinematographers to craft highly controlled, atmospheric work.

Nicholas Galitzine

British actor Nicholas Galitzine reached a wide audience with leading roles in the streaming hits ‘Purple Hearts’ and ‘Red, White & Royal Blue’. He also starred opposite Anne Hathaway in ‘The Idea of You’, further raising his profile with global viewers.

Galitzine’s earlier credits include the musical fantasy ‘Cinderella’ and the historical drama ‘Mary & George’. In addition to acting, he has released original songs tied to select roles, expanding his presence into music.

Nicolas Roeg

British director and cinematographer Nicolas Roeg became a seminal figure in modern cinema with films such as ‘Walkabout’, ‘Don’t Look Now’, and ‘The Man Who Fell to Earth’. His early career behind the camera included work on large-scale productions before transitioning to directing.

Roeg’s storytelling often employed fragmented structures and bold imagery that influenced later generations of filmmakers. He worked with internationally known performers across multiple productions and maintained a parallel reputation as an inventive visual stylist.

Nicholas Britell

American composer Nicholas Britell scored the Best Picture winners ‘Moonlight’ and ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’, earning multiple award nominations for his work. He also composed the widely recognized main theme and score for the series ‘Succession’.

Britell’s recent projects include scores for ‘Don’t Look Up’ and the ‘Star Wars’ series ‘Andor’. Trained as a pianist, he often blends orchestral writing with contemporary textures and frequently collaborates with directors across repeat projects.

Nicolas Bedos

French filmmaker, writer, and actor Nicolas Bedos wrote and directed ‘La Belle Époque’, which drew strong attention in France and internationally. He later directed the spy comedy ‘OSS 117: From Africa with Love’, reviving a popular French franchise.

Bedos began as a playwright and television satirist before moving into screenwriting and directing. His film work often brings together veteran performers and well-known French talent, positioning him as a prominent contemporary voice in French cinema.

Nicholas Ray

American director Nicholas Ray is celebrated for the classic ‘Rebel Without a Cause’, starring James Dean. His body of work also includes ‘In a Lonely Place’ with Humphrey Bogart and the Western ‘Johnny Guitar’, both of which earned long-term critical attention.

Ray’s career spanned studio assignments and personal projects, and his films have been restored and screened at major institutions. He also taught and mentored younger filmmakers later in life, contributing to film education and preservation efforts.

Nicholas Sparks

American novelist and screenwriter Nicholas Sparks is the author of bestselling romances that have been adapted into films including ‘The Notebook’, ‘A Walk to Remember’, ‘Dear John’, and ‘The Last Song’. His books regularly appear on bestseller lists and have sold widely worldwide.

Several adaptations have featured prominent actors and generated strong box-office and streaming performance. Sparks maintains a consistent publishing schedule, and his stories often transition to screen with screenplays credited to him or to collaborating writers.

Nicholas Tse Ting-Fung

Nicholas Tse is a Hong Kong singer, actor, and television personality whose career bridges Cantopop and action cinema. His film credits include collaborations with Jackie Chan in ‘New Police Story’ and leading roles in titles such as ‘The Viral Factor’.

Tse has released multiple studio albums and won major music awards in the Chinese-language market. He also fronts food and travel programs, runs culinary ventures, and continues to appear in action and crime films across the region.

Nicolas Godin

French musician Nicolas Godin is one half of the duo ‘Air’, whose album ‘Moon Safari’ became a landmark of downtempo and electronic pop. The group composed the score for ‘The Virgin Suicides’ and contributed to additional soundtracks and remixes.

Godin also releases solo records and collaborates with artists across genres, including orchestral and vocal projects. His studio work extends to production and arrangement, and he performs internationally both with ‘Air’ and under his own name.

Nicholas Braun

American actor Nicholas Braun gained widespread recognition for playing Cousin Greg on ‘Succession’. His earlier credits span films like ‘Sky High’ and ‘How to Be Single’ and appearances in series across comedy and drama.

Braun’s performance on ‘Succession’ led to award nominations and ensemble honors. Outside acting, he has co-written music and participated in charity and live events associated with the show’s cast and creators.

Nicholas Stoller

British-American filmmaker Nicolas Stoller wrote and directed comedies such as ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’ and ‘Get Him to the Greek’. He also co-wrote projects including ‘The Muppets’ and directed the family hit ‘Storks’.

Stoller collaborates frequently with producers and performers in the Los Angeles comedy community and has developed series for streaming platforms. His filmography includes both R-rated comedies like ‘Neighbors’ and all-ages titles, demonstrating range across audience segments.

Nicholas Lyndhurst

British actor Nicholas Lyndhurst is best known for the long-running sitcom ‘Only Fools and Horses’, one of the UK’s most watched and repeated television comedies. He also starred in ‘Goodnight Sweetheart’, combining period settings with time-travel storytelling.

Lyndhurst has worked on stage and screen for decades, appearing in dramas, sitcoms, and family programming. He continues to act in television and theatre, maintaining a multigenerational following in the UK and abroad.

Share your favorites and any Nicholases or Nicolases we missed in the comments!