Sir Michael Caine Confirms the End of His Acting Career
The English actor, producer, and writer, Sir Michael Caine, a Knight Bachelor and Commander of the Order of the British Empire, has confirmed his intention to retire following the premiere of his latest film, "The Great Escaper." The legendary actor, a two-time Academy Award winner ("Hannah and Her Sisters," "The Cider House Rules"), had previously declared his intention to end his acting career on multiple occasions but kept returning to the silver screen. A decade ago, during his 80th birthday celebration, Caine pledged to retire at the age of 90 and strive to secure his third Oscar within the remaining time.
Regrettably, the elusive Oscar did not materialize, despite over a hundred film roles, several prestigious award nominations, two BAFTA awards, three Golden Globes, and the Cannes Film Festival's Palme d'Or for "Youth." Nevertheless, Oscar or not, Caine, true to his word as a British knight, confirmed his retirement in an interview with the BBC, stating,
"I've figured, I've had a picture where I've played the lead and had incredible reviews... What am I going to do that will beat this? I keep saying I'm going to retire. Well I am now."
Caine's decision to retire was influenced by his age, health, and the dwindling number of roles offered to him. His final foray into cinema marks the conclusion of his illustrious 65-year career in the industry. A favorite collaborator of director Christopher Nolan, Caine emphasized that he can now only portray characters aged 85 to 90 and is unlikely to secure leading roles in new films.
Sir Michael Caine's last work, a biographical drama based on real events, "The Great Escaper," tells the story of Bernard Jordan, an 89-year-old World War II veteran who, in 2014, escaped from his nursing home in France to reunite with his fellow soldiers for the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings. Actress Glenda Jackson, Caine's co-star in the film, passed away a few months after completing the shoot. The film is set to premiere in October 2023.
In addition to his retirement from acting, Michael Caine has announced the release of his new book later this year, an edge-of-your-seat thriller titled "Deadly Game."