Jack Nicholson told his son Ray to "be true to yourself" for a successful career in Hollywood.

The 87-year-old film legend may have stepped away from making movies after a lengthy time in the spotlight and while his 33-year-old son thinks the industry is very different now to when his dad was working, he revealed some important words of wisdom he received from the 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' star that always stuck with him.

Ray told 'Extra': "I think that the most important thing is that I find my way.

"You know, he came up at a completely different time than I did.

"Filmmakers are different, everything is different, but I think that 'to thine own self be true' is the most important thing, and that's what he left with me is just, whatever it is, be true to yourself."

Ray can next be seen in 'Novocaine' - which follows credit union assistant manager Nathan Caine (Jack Quaid) in his attempts to rescue his co-worker and crush Sherry Margrave (Amber Midthunder) after she was kidnapped by bank robbers - and had a great time playing gang leader Simon Greenly.

He said: "Being a heel is the most fun."

Despite his dad being his inspiration, Ray previously insisted he is "very different" to his 'The Shining' icon dad.

The 'Smile 2' actor told Deadline: "We're very different people. I was born in 1992, he was born in 1937. The things that affect me don't necessarily affect him.

"Obviously, I love him. He's my inspiration. I ate dinner with him every night.

"I studied it, that's how I learned to be a human being. So, of course, we're gonna be kind of similar."

Ray - whose first experience in acting came with a small role in the 2006 sports comedy 'The Benchwarmers' - also admitted that he does not go to him for film advice.

The 'Out of the Blue' star added: "As far as talking about it, if he ever did tell me something, I probably wouldn't investigate it for myself because I'd be like, 'You're the best, of course, that's right,' and it might not work for me.

"I love him. He's also my hero. I'm the luckiest kid in the world."