Written by: Lorna McDonald
From Muppet Christmas Carol to The Italian Job, Michael Caine is officially retiring at 90.
Known for his signature cockney accent and iconic quotes, Caine is a British staple appearing in more than 160 films.
Starting at the age of 10 Caine began his acting journey on the stage playing the father of the ugly sisters in Cinderella, in a school play.
Caine then started his career on the stage in the early 1950s, having his first movie debut in A Hill in Korea (1956). He went on to have a range of roles in How to Murder a Rich Uncle (1957), The Day The Earth Caught Fire (1961) and starred in Zulu (1964) his first major role.
Fame started to come his way with his roles in The Ipcress File (1965), portraying British spy Harry Palmer and continued this role in the four following films, alongside his Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in the 1966 romantic comedy Alfie.
Caine grew his recognition as one of the most famous actors in the 1960s in Gambit (1966) , Hurry Sundown (1967), Deadfall (1968), The Magus (1968) and The Italian Job (1969).
During the 1970s Caine added to his list of nominations such as Academy Award for best actor in Sleuth (1972) and managed to appear in 20 films across the decade developing a brilliant reputation with audiences and film-makers.
Caine followed this success into the 80s and 90s appearing in, Deathtrap (1982), Educating Rita (1983: best actor Oscar nomination), Mona Lisa (1986), Woody’ Allen’s Hannah and Her Sisters (1986: Academy Award for best supporting actor) , Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988), The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) and The Cider House Rules (1999: Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor).
Throughout his career Caine eventually became a British icon having the status of being a household-name which landed him a knighthood in 2000 for recognition of his contribution to cinema.
During the 2000s Caine continued his secret agent, British, refined gentlemen personas in films such as The Statement (2003), Batman Begins (2005), Is Anybody There? (2008), Now You See Me (2013), Interstellar (2014), Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015) and of course his iconic voice in Cars 2 (2011).
Caine’s last film The Great Escaper (2023) came out earlier this month, is a biographical drama based on the true story of 89-year-old British World War II Royal Navy veteran, Bernard Jordan who escaped his nursing home to attend the 70th anniversary D-Day commemorations in France.
Unfortunately, this will be the final film for both Micheal Caine and his fellow lead actor Glenda Jackson who passed away in June 2023.
It’s safe to say Michael Caine will be missed on our screens but his legendary performances have a eternal legacy.