Every $n\times n$ matrix is the sum of a diagonalizable matrix and a nilpotent matrix.

You have $A = PJP^{-1}$ where $J$ is in Jordan form. Write $J = D + N$ where $D$ is the diagonal and $N$ is the rest, which is strictly upper triangular and thus nilpotent. Then $A = PDP^{-1} + PNP^{-1}$. The former is clearly diagonalizable, while the latter is nilpotent; just note that $(PNP^{-1})(PNP^{-1}) = PN(P^{-1}P)NP^{-1} = PN^2P^{-1}$ and so on.