Nicholas Cage, born Nicholas Kim Coppola, hails from one of Hollywood’s most influential families. Inspired by superheroes, Cage changed his last name to avoid the shadow of his famous director uncle, Francis Ford Coppola, choosing “Cage” after Marvel’s Luke Cage and avant-garde composer John Cage. Starting his career with a minor role in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Cage quickly rose to fame and found success in Valley Girl, which felt like a liberating fresh start.
Throughout the 1980s, Cage built a reputation as a Hollywood staple, with award-winning performances in films like Moonstruck and Leaving Las Vegas, which earned him an Oscar. His quirky persona followed him off-screen, with stories of him purchasing a plane seat for his son’s imaginary friend, showcasing his eccentric side. Cage’s dedication to his family life became evident as he turned down major roles, like The Matrix and Lord of the Rings, to stay close to his son Weston.
Cage’s complex family life includes multiple marriages and three children: sons Weston and Kal-El, and daughter August. Weston, Cage’s eldest, has faced personal struggles and custody battles of his own. With four children from different relationships, he was married three times, and his divorce from his third wife, Hila Arounian, turned contentious, with Hila gaining full custody of their twin daughters, Venice and Cypress. Hila claims that the separation was due to Weston’s alleged harmful behavior and influence, a claim that Weston’s mother, Christina, calls a “smear campaign.”
Hila also accused Cage of “enabling” behavior, adding tension to the family’s dynamic. Christina has publicly voiced the family’s pain over their inability to meet Cage’s twin granddaughters, calling it a “quiet, horrible nightmare.” As the dispute continues, the Cage family remains hopeful for reconciliation.