Michael Caine

Michael Caine

Michael Caine (born March 14, 1933) is a British film actor. He was born Maurice Joseph Micklewhite in the East End of London, at a time before Cockney accents became fashionable. Ironically, he first came into the public eye in the role of an upper-class English army officer in the 1963 film, Zulu. This was closely followed by his two best-known roles: the spy "Harry Palmer", in The Ipcress File (1965), and the woman-chasing Alfie (1966). He went on to play Palmer in a further two films. His trademark horn-rimmed glasses did not prevent his becoming a pin-up.

When Michael Caine first became an actor he changed his name to Michael Scott. He happened to be speaking to his agent in a telephone box in London's Leicester Square when he was informed that he had to change his name again because another actor was already using the name Michael Scott. His agent insisted that he come up with a new name immediately. Looking around for inspiration, he noted that The Caine Mutiny was being shown at the Odeon cinema, and so he decided to change his name to Michael Caine.

In recent years, Caine has grown in status to become a respected actor and establishment figure. He has played a huge variety of roles, including a university professor in Educating Rita (1983), a theatre director in Noises Off, and Ebenezer Scrooge in The Muppet Christmas Carol. He has been Oscar-nominated five times, winning his first Academy Award for the 1986 film, Hannah and Her Sisters.

He was knighted in 2000 for services to drama, and has become Sir Maurice Micklewhite. Unlike some actors who adopt their stage name for everyday use, Caine still uses his real name when he is not working.

Awards

• New York Film Critics' Best Actor Award for Alfie
• Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for Educating Rita
• British Academy Award for Best Actor for Educating Rita
• Golden Globe for Best Actor for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
• Golden Globe for Best Actor for Little Voice
• Academy Award Nomination for Alfie, Sleuth, Educating Rita and The Quiet American
• Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Hannah and Her Sisters and The Cider House Rules

Filmography

• The Statement (2003)
• Secondhand Lions (2003)
• The Actors (2003)
• The Quiet American (2002)
• Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)
• Shiner (2000)
• Quills (2000)
• Get Carter (2000)
• The Cider House Rules (1999)
• Midnight in St. Petersburg (1997)
• Bullet to Beijing (1997)
• The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
• A Shock to the System (1990)
• Jekyll & Hyde (1990)
• Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)
• Half Moon Street (1986)
• Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
• Educating Rita (1983)
• Deathtrap (1982)
• Dressed to Kill (1980)
• The Eagle Has Landed (1976)
• The Man Who Would Be King (1975)
• Sleuth (1972)
• Kidnapped (1972)
• Get Carter (1972)
• The Last Valley (1971)
• Too Late the Hero (1970)
• Battle of Britain (1969)
• The Italian Job (1969)
• Play Dirty (1968)
• The Magus (1968)
• Deadfall (1968)
• Billion Dollar Brain (1967)
• Woman Times Seven (1967)
• Hurry Sundown (1967)
• Funeral in Berlin (1966)
• Gambit (1966)
• The Wrong Box (1966)
• Alfie (1966)
• The Ipcress File (1965)
• Zulu (1964)

External links

• The Internet Movie Database: Michael Caine

Referenced By