Trivia

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.

Studied martial arts under Ed Parker, along with Elvis Presley and other celebrities.

Was offered a playing position in minor league baseball as a high school teen with the St. Louis Cardinals but turned it down because of the low pay. He briefly worked as a bat boy for the Jersey City Giants, a local minor league team.

Career began in New York City and won his first acting job playing the role of Muff Potter in a small stage production of "Tom Sawyer". He relocated to try his luck in Los Angeles after years of struggle back East.

Gained early attention doing impressions of movie stars such as James Cagney and Marlon Brando.

He is one of four actors typically named in connection with the "Rebel Without a Cause (1955) Curse", a widely repeated urban legend.

Children: Allyson Adams, born in 1960, and Jeb Stuart Adams, born in 1961.

Was friends with Robert Conrad.

Joined the United States Coast Guard to avoid being drafted into the Army during the Korean War, and served three years (1952-1955).

Partners, with Andrew J. Fenady and Irvin Kershner, in Fen-Ker-Ada Inc., a television production company.

Brother-in-law of Judy Nugent.