This actor, who belongs to one of Hollywood’s most famous dynasties, is a National Treasure but in his personal life, he’s trapped in a “quiet, horrible nightmare.”
The Family Man actor, who once bought a seat on a plane for his child’s imaginary friend, is now living in a “hostile environment” created by his son’s ex-wife, who’s preventing him from meeting his four-year-old twin granddaughters.
Keep reading to learn the identity of the star whose name change was inspired by a superhero!
When this actor was only 15, he was seated in a car with his uncle, one of Hollywood’s leading filmmakers, and begged him for a chance to appear in one of his award-winning films.
“Give me a screen test, I’ll show you acting. There was just silence in the car,” said the star, who’s proudly bizarre both on and off screen.
As a 17-year-old, the actor paved his own path to stardom and earned a minor role in the 1982 hit, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, a coming-of age cult favorite.
“I was the brunt of jokes because my name was still Coppola,” says Nicholas Cage, who was born in 1962 as Nicholas Kim Coppola.
“People would not stop saying things like, ‘I love the smell of Nicolas in the morning,’ because of Apocalypse Now…and it made it hard to work and I said, ‘I don’t need this,’ and changed it to Cage,” the star explains of dropping the surname that connected him to his famous relative, Francis Ford Coppola.
Next, explaining why he chose Cage, he says, “It’s a combination of Luke Cage from Marvel comics, who was a character I liked, also named Power Man, and John Cage, the avant-garde composer. Speaks volumes about everything I’ve been up to ever since.”
His first starring role with Cage as his last name came in 1983’s Valley Girl and the anonymity he said made him feel as if he “had this weight come off my body.”
“Wow, I really can do this. And I felt liberated by that experience,” he tells Hollywood Reporter. “And you can see it in Valley Girl that I’m free. Whereas in Fast Times, or even Rumble Fish, I’m somewhat stuck,” he says, referring to his appearance in 1983’s Rumble Fish, a film directed by his uncle.
Over the next several years, Cage worked in back-to-back films, earning the reputation as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actors.
In 1988, he earned Golden Globe nominations for Moonstruck with Cher and Honeymoon in Vegas with Sarah Jessica Parker.
It was also the same year he met actor Christina Fulton, who in December 1990 gave birth to his first son, Weston Coppola Cage, an actor who appeared as the younger version of his dad in the 2014 film Rage.
Cage, who earned an Oscar for his 1995 role in Leaving Las Vegas, also shares a son Kal-El (Superman’s birth name) born in 2005 with his third wife Alice Kim, and daughter August Francesca (born 2022) with his fifth wife, Riko Shibata.
Cage was also famously married to Patricia Arquette (1995 to 2001) and Lisa Marie Presley (2002), whom he filed for divorce only months later.
Speaking with People, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent actor says that family comes “first and foremost.”
“There’s no version of Nick Cage in reality that doesn’t want to spend time with his children…There’s no version of Nick Cage that didn’t put family first over career,” says the star of Raising Arizona.
He adds, “I turned down Lord of the Rings and I turned down Matrix because I didn’t want to go to New Zealand for three years or Australia for three years because I needed to be home with my son Weston, that’s a fact.”
Offering evidence to that, actor Minnie Driver once said: “Was once on a plane with [Nicholas Cage] and his son and a seat had also been purchased for his son’s imaginary friend.”
Weston Coppola Cage
To this day the Adaptation star has a very tight bond with his children, and two of his grandchildren, Lucian (born 2014) and Sorin (2016), who Weston shares with his second wife.
“He can do things I dream about doing…compose music, sing, act, sculpt and cook and now he is a loving father,” Cage said of Weston, the former lead of two heavy metal bands. “To see my son with my grandson is as close to a sense of blissful completion I ever had.”
The D-Day star, 33, has been married three times and also shares twin daughters, Cyress and Venice, who were born in 2020 with his third ex-wife, Hila Arounian.
But the kids don’t know any members of their famous Hollywood family.
Following an ugly divorce in 2021, TMZ reports that Hila was granted “sole legal and physical custody of their twin daughters…with Weston getting no visitation rights.”
Explaining the distressing details, Weston’s mom Christina tells the U.S. Sun, that Hila has created a “hostile environment,” which includes “a request for a restraining order against her seeing the kids that was dismissed” in 2023.
“As a classy, respectful Hollywood family we are appalled and shocked at how Hila could do something like this. It is devastating not to see these kids. Nicolas and I haven’t been able to meet our two beautiful little granddaughters at all since they were born,” Christina says of the “smear campaign” Hila launched against her family. “We’re in a quiet, horrible nightmare. It’s insane, painful, hurtful, devastating. I have a beautiful relationship with my two little boy grandchildren and my son has a beautiful relationship with his boys.”
Christina adds, “Not meeting the girls is painful, hurtful, and shocking.”
Defending herself, Hila shares a note on Facebook, explaining that her ex cheated several times and was “weaponizing influence, wealth,” turning “the legal system against” her.
She also calls Christina a “sabotaging mother” and referring to Weston’s mental illness along with addictions, she says that Cage is an “enabling father” who “consistently hindered his progress.”
Hila does not mention anything about denying the family visitation with the twins, only that Weston’s “behavior became a physical threat to our daughters and me, as well as our emotional well-being.”
Christina reveals the Cage/Coppola family isn’t backing down: “In these trying times, our family’s resilience is tested. But we remain committed to overcoming these challenges and restoring our family’s harmony.”
What do you think about this heartbreaking story? Please share your thoughts with us and then share this story so we can hear what others have to say!
My Husband’s Lover Came to Me for a Massage, Not Knowing I’m His Wife
You never think it’ll happen to you. I thought my husband and I had built a life that no one could touch. But then a young, beautiful woman walked into my massage studio and started talking about her life. What she said left me speechless, but my response left her paralyzed.
I never imagined that a routine appointment at my massage studio would unravel my entire marriage. The woman on my table that day had no idea who I was, and by the time she realized the truth, it was too late.
A young woman smiling | Source: Midjourney
If you asked anyone to describe me, they’d probably say I’m the typical hardworking mom. My life revolves around my two boys, Ethan and Leo.
At 10 and 8 years old, they’re at that stage where they want to be independent but still need their mom for everything. And honestly, I love being there for them. The morning rush to get them ready for school, the endless soccer practices, and those quiet moments at bedtime when they tell me about their day motivates me to keep going.
A woman standing in her living room | Source: Midjourney
But my life isn’t all about the kids.
Five years ago, I opened my own massage studio, and it quickly became my second home. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about helping people relax.
It’s my passion, and I’ve poured my heart and soul into that place.
A masseuse massaging someone’s hand | Source: Pexels
Then there’s Henry, my husband of 12 years.
I met him when I was a young, vibrant woman, full of dreams and energy. Back then, I’d dress up for him, wear makeup, and make sure my hair was perfect. And he loved it.
We were inseparable. Henry always found a way to make me laugh and I continued believing we’d be happy forever. But life doesn’t stay the same.
A woman sitting near a window | Source: Midjourney
Over the years, I’ve become more practical.
I don’t spend hours on my hair or makeup anymore. I wear comfortable clothes and don’t spend money on fancy stuff because I believe I’d rather invest my time and money in my kids.
Henry never complained about it, but sometimes I wondered if he noticed.
It wasn’t that our marriage was bad. Henry still did his part. He was a present father, always at the boys’ games and school events. He fixed things around the house and never missed a birthday or anniversary.
I thought we were solid.
A couple holding hands | Source: Pexels
But over the past year, something felt… off. Henry started working late more often. At first, I didn’t question it. He’s a lawyer, and I assumed he was putting in extra hours to give us a comfortable life.
Still, there were moments that gnawed at me.
He’d get home late and head straight for the shower without saying much. Sometimes, he’d sit with us for dinner, but his mind seemed elsewhere.
I chalked it up to stress. After all, I was busy too. Running a business and raising kids wasn’t easy.
A woman looking straight ahead | Source: Midjourney
But deep down, a part of me knew something had changed. We weren’t the same couple we used to be.
I figured it was just part of being married for over a decade. You know, life gets busy, romance takes a backseat, and you fall into routines.
What I didn’t know was that my husband’s routine included someone else.
It was an ordinary Tuesday morning when Emily walked into my massage studio. She looked exactly like the kind of woman who turned heads without even trying.
A woman walking on a wooden floor | Source: Pexels
Everything about her screamed luxury. The way her sleek hair cascaded over her shoulders, the designer bag she casually set down on the chair, and her expensive perfume that filled the room.
“Hi, I’m Emily. I have a 10 a.m. appointment,” she said with a friendly smile.
I returned the smile, though something about her felt off. Maybe it was her confidence or the way she seemed so at ease as if she owned the place.
I couldn’t put my finger on it, so I brushed it off.
A woman standing in her massage studio | Source: Midjourney
“Welcome, Emily. Please, make yourself comfortable,” I said, gesturing toward the massage room. “You can hang your things there and lie down on the table. I’ll be right with you.”
Once she settled in, I started my usual routine. The room was calm and serene, with soft music playing in the background. As I massaged her back, she let out a deep sigh.
“Finally,” she said, her voice muffled by the table’s headrest. “I’m going to relax.”
I chuckled. “Much stress?”
“Too much,” she groaned. “I really needed this.”
A woman lying on a massage table | Source: Midjourney
I kept my tone light and conversational. “Work stress?”
“Relationship stress,” she corrected. “My boyfriend is… complicated.”
I stayed silent, letting her talk if she wanted to. Some clients like to open up during their sessions, and I’ve learned that listening can be just as therapeutic as the massage itself.
Emily sighed again. “He’s in the process of a divorce, and it’s been messy. I don’t know why he hasn’t just finalized it already. His wife is such a drag.”
A back-view shot of a man | Source: Midjourney
I felt a pang of sympathy. Divorce is never easy, especially when kids are involved. Still, something about the way she said “drag” didn’t sit right with me.
“I guess that’s always hard,” I said carefully. “Especially with kids in the picture.”
“Oh, they’re not my problem,” she said dismissively.
My hands froze for a split second before I forced myself to keep going. I was horrified. How could someone be so heartless?
But I reminded myself not to judge. I didn’t know the whole story.
A woman smiling | Source: Midjourney
“I don’t know how his wife does it,” Emily continued. “She just works, looks after the kids, cooks, cleans… No wonder he’s leaving her. She’s boring. No makeup, no effort. Just a mom. And of course, he’ll get the house. It’s his. The kids can stay with her. I don’t want to raise someone else’s brats.”
Her words stung, though I wasn’t sure why. It was like she was describing me. I shook the thought away.
Pure coincidence, I told myself.
Emily’s phone suddenly buzzed on the side table. I glanced at it, and my heart nearly stopped.
A phone on a table | Source: Pexels
The screen lit up with a picture of her and… Henry.
My husband. My Henry. Smiling with her. Holding her.
My heart pounded faster as I processed what I was seeing. My mind raced, replaying everything Emily had just said.
“Oh, I’ll answer later,” Emily said casually, reaching to silence the phone.
“No, dear,” I said, my voice unnervingly calm. “Please, answer it.”
A woman in her massage studio | Source: Midjourney
She blinked, surprised by my tone. “What?”
I stepped back and crossed my arms. “It’s my husband—your boyfriend dreaming of divorcing me—calling you. Go ahead.”
For a moment, there was dead silence. Then she screamed, “What the hell did you do?! I CAN’T MOVE!”
I watched as Emily struggled to lift her head, her arms trembling as she tried to push herself off the massage table. But her body refused to cooperate.
For a moment, I panicked. Did I seriously paralyze her? But then I realized what had happened.
A worried woman | Source: Midjourney
I must’ve pressed on a nerve in her neck. It was something I’d seen before in my practice. Temporary paralysis, usually gone in a few minutes.
Still, I wasn’t about to waste this opportunity.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “It’ll pass in a bit. Meanwhile, let’s have a chat.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You did this on purpose!”
I shrugged. “Prove it.”
Emily tried to wiggle her fingers, but they barely twitched. She huffed in frustration, glaring at me like a trapped animal.
“You’re insane!” she hissed.
An angry woman lying on a massage table | Source: Midjourney
“Maybe. Or maybe I’m just a woman who’s tired of being lied to.” I pulled over a chair and sat down calmly. “Now, about that house… You think it’s Henry’s?”
Her lips pressed into a tight line.
“Yeah, it’s not,” I continued. “It’s in my name. The kids? They’re staying with me. And guess what? Courts tend to favor the spouse who wasn’t sneaking around.”
“You’re bluffing,” she spat. “Henry said—”
“Henry said a lot of things, didn’t he?” I leaned forward. “Did he mention that I’ve supported him through job changes, sleepless nights with our kids, and years of marriage? Or did he just paint me as some boring wife?”
An upset woman | Source: Midjourney
Emily’s nostrils flared. “He loves me.”
“Does he?” I laughed. “Or does he love the idea of you? The fun, carefree fling who doesn’t remind him of his responsibilities?”
Her phone buzzed again. This time, I picked it up and held it out for her to see.
“Would you like me to answer? Should I tell him you’re… indisposed?”
Emily’s expression shifted from anger to fear. “Don’t you dare.”
“Oh, I dare.” I smirked. “But first, let me take a little souvenir.”
An upset woman | Source: Midjourney
I opened her phone and found a string of messages between her and Henry.
Sweet nothings. Promises of a future together. And a few photos that made my stomach turn.
I snapped pictures with my phone, making sure I had enough evidence to make my point clear. Then I locked her phone and set it back down.
“Why are you doing this?” she whispered, her voice trembling.
“Because you need to know what’s coming.” I stood up and leaned over her. “When you can move again, feel free to let Henry know I’ll be calling my lawyer today.”
A woman holding a phone | Source: Pexels
“You won’t win,” she muttered. “Henry won’t let you take everything.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Oh, he’ll have no choice. I’ve got proof now. And when the courts see what he’s been up to, he’ll be lucky if he walks away with his clothes.”
Emily finally managed to lift her head. Her arms were still weak, but she was starting to regain movement.
“Don’t worry,” I said with a smile. “You’ll be fine in a few minutes. But your relationship with Henry? That’s done.”
A worried woman | Source: Midjourney
She glared at me as she swung her legs off the table, struggling to stand.
“You think you’ve won?” she raised an eyebrow. “He’ll come crawling back to me.”
“If you say so,” I laughed.
She grabbed her bag and stormed out, slamming the door behind her. I took a deep breath, letting the tension leave my body.
But I wasn’t done yet.
That evening, I waited for Henry to come home. He walked through the door like nothing had happened, kissed me on the cheek, and sat down at the dinner table.
A man standing in his house | Source: Midjourney
“Henry,” I said, setting my phone on the table between us. “We need to talk.”
His eyes flickered to the phone, and I could see the color drain from his face.
“I know everything,” I said quietly. “The texts. The calls. Your little plan to divorce me.”
He opened his mouth, but I held up a hand to stop him.
“No excuses, Henry,” I said. “You want a divorce? You’ll get one. But you’re leaving with nothing. The house is mine. The kids stay with me. And if you try to fight me, I’ve got plenty of evidence to bury you in court.”
A man talking to his wife | Source: Midjourney
His face paled, and he slumped in his chair. “Sophia…”
I leaned in, my voice steady. “You should’ve thought about this before you lied to me. Now? You’re on your own.”
The next day, I filed for divorce.
Soon, Henry moved out, and Emily realized he couldn’t give her the life she wanted.
To be honest, leaving my husband wasn’t easy. But after thinking about what he’d been doing behind my back, I knew I had no other option.
I left Henry and promised to never look back again. Not even on days when I felt lonely.
A woman standing in her house | Source: Midjourney
If you enjoyed reading this story, here’s another one you might like: When Brooke returns home from a weeklong work trip, she’s eager to unwind with her favorite snack. But her peanut butter jar is mysteriously half-empty. Her husband, Aaron, is allergic, so who ate it? Determined to uncover the truth, Brooke turns to their security cameras and discovers a shocking secret: Aaron had been hiding a guest. What starts as suspicion unravels into an emotional journey neither of them expected.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
Leave a Reply