Nolte was born in Omaha, Nebraska on February 8, 1941. Nolte was educated at the University of Arizona. Nolte was married three times; first to Sheila Page from 1966 until they divorced in 1970. Second he married Sharyn Haddad from 1978 until they divorced in 1983. Lastly he married Rebecca Linger from 1984 until they divorced in 1994. 