Biography

Shortly before his death he bought a plane ticket with his own money and flew to Rome to co-star with Aldo Ray in a sci-fi horror movie called "Murder in the Third Dimension". Once he got there he found out no one had told him the project had been scrapped.

Spent $8,500 on advertising to win a 1963 Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for Twilight of Honor (1963), but lost the award on Oscar night to Melvyn Douglas in Hud (1963). Reportedly was devastated by the loss as he was sure he would win.

He became a close friend of James Dean after playing a small role in Rebel Without a Cause (1955) and reportedly was devastated after Dean was killed. Adams began behaving recklessly and was arrested for speeding nine times in one year. He was placed on probation.

He once worked at the Warners Theater in Beverly Hills as a doorman, usher and maintenance man, but was fired after putting his own name up on a marquee board as a promoting stunt. He also freely used his friendships with James Dean and Elvis Presley for self-promotion. He once claimed he was being stalked by a crazed female James Dean fan and had himself photographed at Dean's grave, pensively clutching flowers.

He was the son of Catherine (Kucewanicz/Kutz) and Peter Adamshock. His father was an anthracite coal miner. His parents were born in Pennsylvania, both of Ukrainian descent. The family moved when Nick was five years old after his uncle was killed in a mining accident. They wound up in Jersey City, New Jersey. He was raised in Garfield, New Jersey. He went on to attend St. Peter's College (now St. Peter's University), Jersey City.