Nicolas Cage's family has a strong background in the entertainment industry. His father, August Coppola, was a writer and brother of Francis Ford Coppola, a renowned filmmaker. His aunt is Talia Shire, an actress, and his cousin is Sofia Coppola, a filmmaker and actress.
Nicolas Cage changed his name from Nicolas Coppola to Cage early in his career to avoid accusations of nepotism and to establish himself as an independent actor. He reportedly chose the name Cage after the Marvel Comics character Luke Cage, and also because he liked the word's association with strength and power.
By changing his name, Cage was able to build his own reputation and avoid being seen as riding on the coattails of his famous family members.
Nicolas Cage's Parents
Nicolas Cage's parents both had artistic and creative backgrounds, which influenced Cage's own passion for the arts. His father, August Coppola, was a literature professor at California State University and was also a writer and literary critic. He wrote several books, including a biography of Irish writer James Joyce. Coppola was also a champion of independent cinema and helped found the annual San Francisco International Film Festival.
Cage's mother, Joy Vogelsang, was a dancer and choreographer who studied under Martha Graham, a pioneer of modern dance. Vogelsang founded her own dance school and performed in Broadway productions, including the original production of "Guys and Dolls."
Cage has spoken about how his parents' love of the arts inspired him from a young age. In interviews, he has said that he was exposed to a wide variety of films and music growing up and that his parents encouraged him to pursue his own creative passions. Despite their divorce when Cage was young, he maintained a close relationship with both of his parents throughout their lives.
Nicolas Cage's Uncle and Aunt
Nicolas Cage's uncle is Francis Ford Coppola, who is a renowned filmmaker and screenwriter. Coppola is best known for directing classic films like "The Godfather," "Apocalypse Now," and "The Conversation." He has won several Academy Awards throughout his career and is widely regarded as one of the most influential filmmakers of all time.
Cage's aunt is Talia Shire, who is an actress and Shire is best known for her roles in the "Rocky" and "Godfather" film series. She has been nominated for several Academy Awards and has won two Golden Globe Awards.
Cage has spoken about his admiration for both his uncle and his aunt in interviews. He has said that he has learned a great deal from his uncle about filmmaking and storytelling, and that he considers him to be a mentor and a role model. He has also praised his aunt's talent as an actress and has said that he admires her work ethic and dedication to her craft.
Nicolas Cage's Brother and Cousin
Nicolas Cage's brother is Marc Coppola, who is a radio personality and actor. Coppola has worked as a DJ for several radio stations, including WHTZ in New York City, and has also acted in films and TV shows, including "The Cotton Club" and "Hope Floats."
Cage's cousin is Sofia Coppola, who is a filmmaker and actress. Coppola is the daughter of Francis Ford Coppola and has directed acclaimed films like "Lost in Translation," "Marie Antoinette," and "The Beguiled." She has also acted in films like "The Godfather Part III" and "Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace."
Cage has spoken about his close relationship with both his brother and his cousin. He has credited his brother with introducing him to new music and with being a constant source of support throughout his career. He has also praised Sofia Coppola's talent as a filmmaker and has said that he enjoys collaborating with her when they have the opportunity to work together.
Nicolas cage's Grandfather
Nicolas Cage's paternal grandfather was Carmine Coppola, who was an American composer, conductor, and musician. Coppola is best known for his collaborations with his son, Francis Ford Coppola, on several of his films, including "The Godfather" and "Apocalypse Now." He composed the scores for both films, and won an Academy Award for Best Original Score for "The Godfather Part II."
In addition to his work in film, Coppola was also a respected conductor and composer of classical music. He worked with several prominent orchestras and composed numerous symphonies and concertos throughout his career. Carmine Coppola passed away in 1991 at the age of 80.
Nicolas cage's Wife and Children
Nicolas Cage has been married five times and has three children. His first wife was Patricia Arquette, whom he was married to from 1995 to 2001. He then married Lisa Marie Presley in 2002, but the marriage was short-lived and they divorced after just four months.
Cage's third marriage was to Alice Kim, a former waitress, in 2004 and they had a son together named Kal-El, who was born in 2005. However, Cage and Kim separated in 2016 and their divorce was finalized in 2019.
In March 2019, Cage got married for the fourth time to Erika Koike, but the marriage was annulled after just four days. Cage's most recent marriage was in February 2021 to Riko Shibata, a makeup artist. They had a small, private ceremony in Las Vegas.