Nicolas Cage, 62, says becoming an older dad reshaped his priorities.
On Saturday’s episode of The New York Times’ podcast “The Interview,” Cage reflected on how his impulsiveness in his youth influenced both his performances and his life offscreen.
“It’s no secret that I have over the years, particularly early on, perhaps, had a lack of impulse control and probably shouldn’t have bought that car or shouldn’t have bought that property or whatever it was,” Cage told host David Marchese.
Cage added that the “comedian in him” is always looking to catch people off guard.
“You get a laugh when you do something unexpected. That’s what makes people laugh in my view, or you do something marvelously witty,” he said.
However, compared to his lifestyle seven years ago, Cage said his priorities have changed significantly.
“I am extraordinarily boring right now. I live a very monastic life. I am not taking any risks whatsoever if I can avoid it. I am really going to go the other way. And I am all about raising my three-and-a-half-year-old — my toddler — to have a happy and healthy life. That is my focus,” the actor said. “That, and when I work. That’s it.”
Cage and his wife, Riko Shibata, welcomed a daughter in 2022. The actor also has two adult sons from previous relationships.
These days, his biggest “vices” are too much caffeine and screen time, he said.
“I’m drinking 200 milligrams, you know, strawberry energy drinks six times a day, and I’m not good with my phone, and the doomscrolling’s got to stop,” he said.
Cage said he’s no longer drinking martinis or doing any “unexpected things in life” at the moment.
His temperament has also mellowed with age, he added.
“When I was 19, no. Now I’m 62, sure. I think I know what to do and what not to do, whether it’s at home or in a restaurant or out in public, whatever,” Cage said.
He says he avoids going out unless he feels capable of treating people with kindness. He’s also more mindful in public interactions because he knows how disappointing it can be to “meet someone that I admire and have them ruin your day by being unkind.”
When asked if he’s considered slowing down professionally, Cage said much of his attention now goes toward raising his youngest daughter.
“I’m all about my toddler. I mean that she takes 80% of my energy and I’m focused on that,” he said, adding that he wants to make time to be around to “nurture her and guide her.”
“I’m lucky right now because she’s young enough that as long as we can travel together and I can come home to her, that’s good,” Cage said.
This isn’t the first time Cage has spoken about how his priorities have changed in recent years.
In November 2023, while reflecting on approaching 60, he told Entertainment Tonight that he wants to spend more time with his daughter.
“I’m taking stock of what’s really important, you know?” Cage said. “Maybe not make quite as many movies.”
He told Vanity Fair in December 2023 that he has “said what I’ve had to say with cinema” and is ready to step back from his career.
“I may have three or four more movies left in me,” he said.
