Marvin John Nance, known professionally as Jack Nance, was a renowned American actor widely recognized for his extensive collaboration with filmmaker David Lynch. Born and raised in Boston by Hoyt and Agnes Nance, Jack graduated from South Oak Cliff High School and began studying journalism at the University of North Texas before shifting his focus to acting. In 1964, he moved to California and started working with the esteemed American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. Known for the realism and intensity he brought to his roles, Jack is most celebrated for his role as Henry Spencer in Eraserhead, a project that spanned over five years due to funding issues.

Despite initial unsuccessful debut, Eraserhead gained fame as a cult classic, attributing much of its success to Jack's compelling performance. The actor became a recurring presence in Lynch's subsequent projects including, Dune, Blue Velvet, The CowBoy and The Frenchman, Wild at Heart, Twin Peaks series and Lost Highway. Off screen, Jack had a tumultuous personal life, marked by struggles with alcoholism and personal tragedy. His second wife, Kelly Jean Van Dyke, tragically took her own life in 1991, an event which precipitated his relapse into alcoholism. Despite these obstacles, Jack continued to perform until his untimely death in 1996 at the age of 53.