Contrary to reports earlier this month, Jack Nicholson has not decided to retire from acting at age 76 because of memory problems. In fact, as he tells The Sun_in a new interview, the actor believes that he has “a mathematician’s brain.” If Nicholson_is taking fewer film roles lately, it is simply because he is less driven to “be out there any more.” The Oscar winner adds that “[t]he movie business is the greatest business but I only want to do films that move people, films about emotions and people.”

Although he has not retired from acting, The Sunsuggests that Nicholson has retired from the other form of artistry for which he is best known: dating. The legendary ladies’ man tells the paper that he is careful about which women he approaches because it “doesn’t feel right” to “hit on” women at his age. (Blogger’s note: Readers are welcome to weigh in on this matter below after viewing this immortal clip of Nicholson flirting with a 22-year-old Jennifer Lawrence earlier this year.)

Perhaps the most depressing statement made from the aging charmer: “There were points in my life when I felt oddly irresistible to women. I’m not in that state now, which makes me sad.” Amazingly, his indicator for “too old” is not related to the year on his birth certificate, but to T.M.I. hygiene-related matters. “Now I don’t have any hair below my sock line, and that means you’re getting old, Jackie boy,” Nicholson says. “It comes out of my ears instead. I mean, how many times have I slashed my earlobes?”

Even if his serial-dating days may be over, the actor is still hoping for one new phase in his love life: “I would love that one last romance, a real romance, but I’m not very realistic about it happening.” Despite his doubts, he adds, “What I can’t deny is my yearning.”