(London) Actor Michael Caine, icon of British cinema, announced Saturday that he was retiring at the age of 90 after an acclaimed performance in a final film, The Great Escaper, which concludes seven decades on screens.
From the manipulative character in Sleuth to the lying scientist in Interstellar to the butler in Batman, he has appeared in over 160 films.
He received a total of six Oscar nominations, and won a statuette for Hannah and Her Sisters by Woody Allen in 1986 and then in 2000 for The Cider House Rules.
“I keep saying I’m going to retire. Well it is now,” he told BBC Radio 4.
“I thought, I just made a movie that I starred in and got incredible reviews for… What am I going to do that’s going to beat that? » he explained.
The Great Escaper, released on October 6 in the United Kingdom, tells the true story of World War II veteran Bernie Jordan, who escaped from his retirement home to attend the 70th anniversary of D-Day ceremonies from 1944 in France.
His performance was praised in this film, where he co-starred with Glenda Jackson who died in June at the age of 87.
“The only roles I can be given now are 90-year-old men. Or maybe 85,” he said. “They won’t be leading roles. There are no 90-year-old lead actors, there are attractive young boys and girls. So I said to myself that it would be better for me to leave.”
Maurice Joseph Micklewhite was born on March 14, 1933 in south London, into poor surroundings.
Looking for a stage name, he discovered the poster for the film The Caine Mutiny and adopted the name of the boat as a pseudonym in 1954.
This tireless actor, known for his “cockney” accent among the working classes of London but a collector of Rolls-Royce, was one of the first personalities from the world of culture to speak out in favor of Brexit in 2016.
“Sir Michael” was knighted by Elizabeth II in 2000.
