Michael Caine

Birthday: 14 March 1933, Rotherhithe, London, England, UK

Birth Name: Maurice Joseph Micklewhite

Height: 185 cm

Michael Caine was born Maurice Joseph Micklewhite in London, to Ellen Frances Marie (Burchell), a charlady, and Maurice Joseph Micklewhite, a fish-market porter. He left school at age 15 and took a series of working-class jobs before joining the British army and serving in Korea during the Korean War, where he saw combat. Upon his return to England, he gravitated toward the theater and got a job as an assistant stage manager. He adopted the name of Caine on the advice of his agent, taking it from a marquee that advertised The Caine Mutiny (1954). In the years that followed, he worked in more than 100 television dramas, with repertory companies throughout England and eventually in the stage hit "The Long and the Short and the Tall".Zulu (1964), the epic retelling of a historic 19th-century battle in South Africa between British soldiers and Zulu warriors, brought Caine to international attention. Instead of being typecast as a low-ranking Cockney soldier, he played a snobbish, aristocratic officer. Although "Zulu" was a major success, it was the role of Harry Palmer in The Ipcress File (1965) and the title role in Alfie (1966) that made Caine a star of the first magnitude. He epitomized the new breed of actor in mid-1960s England, the working-class bloke with glasses and a down-home accent. However, after initially starring in some excellent films, particularly in the 1960s, including Gambit (1966), Funeral in Berlin (1966), Play Dirty (1969), Battle of Britain (1969), Too Late the Hero (1970), The Last Valley (1971) and especially Get Carter (1971), he seemed to take on roles in below-average films, simply for the money he could by then command.However, there were some gems amongst the dross. He gave a magnificent performance opposite Sean Connery in The Man Who Would Be King (1975) and turned in a solid one as a German colonel in The Eagle Has Landed (1976). Educating Rita (1983) and Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) (for which he won his first Oscar) were highlights of the 1980s, while more recently Little Voice (1998), The Cider House Rules (1999) (his second Oscar) and Last Orders (2001) have been widely acclaimed. Caine played Nigel Powers in the parody sequel Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002), and Alfred Pennyworth in Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy. He appeared in several other of Nolan's films including The Prestige (2006), Inception (2010) and Interstellar (2014). He also appeared as a supporting character in Alfonso Cuaron's Children of Men (2006) and Pixar's sequel Cars 2 (2011).As of 2015, films in which Caine has starred have grossed over $7.4 billion worldwide. He is ranked the ninth highest grossing box office star. Caine is one of several actors nominated for an Academy Award for acting every decade from five consecutive decades (the other being Laurence Olivier and Meryl Streep). He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1992 Birthday Honours, and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in the 2000 Birthday Honours in recognition for his contributions to the cinema. Hide

I'm a sort of boy next door. If that boy has a good scriptwriter. I'm a sort of boy next door. If that boy has a good scriptwriter.

The Government has taken tax up to 50 per cent, and if it goes to 51, I will be back in America. I w Show more The Government has taken tax up to 50 per cent, and if it goes to 51, I will be back in America. I will not pay the Government more than I get. No way, ever. They've reached their limit with me, and that's what will happen to a lot of people. You know how much they made out of that high taxation all those years ago? Nothing. But they sent a mass of incredible brains to America. This return to high tax will only deepen our debt. While top-earners will be hit by the highest tax in 20 years, our MPs escape Scot-free. We've got three-and-a-half million layabouts laying about on benefits, and I'm 76, getting up at 6am to go to work to keep them. Let's get everybody back to work so we can save a couple of billion and cut tax, not keep sticking it on. Hide

The difference between a movie star and a movie actor is this--a movie star will say, "How can I cha Show more The difference between a movie star and a movie actor is this--a movie star will say, "How can I change the script to suit me?" and a movie actor will say. "How can I change me to suit the script?" Hide

I never give advice to younger actors. Because when I was their age, I used to ask actors older than Show more I never give advice to younger actors. Because when I was their age, I used to ask actors older than me for advice, and the only advice I got was "Just give up." Hide

Unlike my other golfing friend Sidney Poitier, Sean Connery is not the gentlest person in the world Show more Unlike my other golfing friend Sidney Poitier, Sean Connery is not the gentlest person in the world and my lack of grasp of the sport would not make him sad as it did Sidney, it would just make him angry. Sean has a terrible temper and when he tried to teach me golf he was so incensed by my performance he grabbed my club and broke it in two. I've never played since and I never will because I do not want to upset two of my best friends, Sean, in particular. Hide

I'm an icon. It says so in the paper. I'm an icon. It says so in the paper.

While shooting Harry Brown (2009): The young guys I met there were fascinated by my success. They as Show more While shooting Harry Brown (2009): The young guys I met there were fascinated by my success. They asked how I got out of there. I told them the truth - I had a happy family. My mum and dad were together all the time. I won a scholarship to grammar school. And there was drink, but not drugs. Hide

It should have been a hindrance, but I have a phrase which I taught my children: 'Use the difficulty Show more It should have been a hindrance, but I have a phrase which I taught my children: 'Use the difficulty.' Where I came from, nobody even knew what a drama school was, and everyone thought you couldn't become an actor unless you talked posh. Class is still there but it's less relevant now. You don't need to have gone to a certain kind of school to have done that [become an actor] like you did back then. Hide

I know a lot of stuff but my close friend, Leslie (lyricist Leslie Bricusse), knows everything, and Show more I know a lot of stuff but my close friend, Leslie (lyricist Leslie Bricusse), knows everything, and before Google, the two of us were sort of human Googles! Hide

When they said they wanted to remake Sleuth (1972), my first thought was, 'Why make it again at all? Show more When they said they wanted to remake Sleuth (1972), my first thought was, 'Why make it again at all?' I do not like remakes. It shows a lack of imagination. But once I saw the script for Sleuth (2007) I realised it wasn't a remake at all. It was a brand new movie. Hide

Educating Rita (1983) was wonderful, I did it with Julie Walters, the original girl. She is sensatio Show more Educating Rita (1983) was wonderful, I did it with Julie Walters, the original girl. She is sensational, really fantastic, and she is a very nice person as well, which is always a bonus. Hide

The thing about gangsters in films these days is that they're either funny or they're stupid. Well, Show more The thing about gangsters in films these days is that they're either funny or they're stupid. Well, I'm sorry, but I've never met a gangster that's either. And I come from something of a gangster milieu. Nor have I met someone who deals out violence for violence's sake. The violence in Get Carter (1971) was incisive, fast and over. One blow, one shot, one hit, what was necessary. No one smashed people up in a sadistic fury. Hide

I've made an awful lot of films. In fact, I've made a lot of awful films. I've made an awful lot of films. In fact, I've made a lot of awful films.

[on one good reason for winning an Oscar] It might mean I'd get more scripts without other actors' c Show more [on one good reason for winning an Oscar] It might mean I'd get more scripts without other actors' coffee stains on them. Hide

My name is Michael Caine. My name is Michael Caine.

(On composer John Barry during filming of Deadfall (1968)) Look at him, he's so thin. You wouldn't t Show more (On composer John Barry during filming of Deadfall (1968)) Look at him, he's so thin. You wouldn't think he had a bloody note in him! Hide

Schools are cheaper than prisons. They don't need to learn Shakespeare (William Shakespeare); they n Show more Schools are cheaper than prisons. They don't need to learn Shakespeare (William Shakespeare); they need to read and write and count, so make sure of that. But we need to bring back the old technical colleges where you went to learn how to be an electrician, a plasterer, a carpenter. Hide

I'll always be around because I'm a skilled professional actor. Whether or not I've any talent is be Show more I'll always be around because I'm a skilled professional actor. Whether or not I've any talent is beside the point. Hide

I shared a flat with Terence Stamp. I understudied Peter O'Toole. I remember being in Liverpool and Show more I shared a flat with Terence Stamp. I understudied Peter O'Toole. I remember being in Liverpool and going to see a matinée with a young actor nobody had ever heard of called Albert Finney. Oh, a tremendous wave. It was ridiculous. I knew a writer who wanted to write musicals called Lionel Bart, a painter called Francis Bacon. Hide

Movie acting is about covering the machinery. Stage acting is about exposing the machinery. In cinem Show more Movie acting is about covering the machinery. Stage acting is about exposing the machinery. In cinema, you should think the actor is playing himself, if he's that good. It looks very easy. It should. But it's not, I assure you. To disappear your complete self into a character is quite difficult. I've tried it 85 times, and I've succeeded two or three times. Hide

[on Queen Queen Elizabeth II] She knighted me once. I nearly got into trouble though. She said to me Show more [on Queen Queen Elizabeth II] She knighted me once. I nearly got into trouble though. She said to me, "I have a feeling you have been doing what you do for a very long time". And I almost said, 'And so have you'. Hide

I did Harold Pinter's first play, "The Room". Harold was an actor named David Baron. He said, "I'm g Show more I did Harold Pinter's first play, "The Room". Harold was an actor named David Baron. He said, "I'm going to write". I said, "Oh yeah, it'll be nice". He said, "But I don't want to get mixed up with being an actor. I'm going to write with my real name". I said, "What's your real name, David?" He said, "Harold Pinter". Hide

Be like a duck, my mother used to tell me. Remain calm on the surface and paddle like hell underneat Show more Be like a duck, my mother used to tell me. Remain calm on the surface and paddle like hell underneath. Hide

[on Ray Milland] A nice old bloke. [on Ray Milland] A nice old bloke.

Whenever anyone asks me to do something about my life's work, I keep saying, "Please, I haven't fini Show more Whenever anyone asks me to do something about my life's work, I keep saying, "Please, I haven't finished yet. Can you give me another year?" . . . In a lifetime achievement award, you just have to watch yourself grow old in 45 minutes. Hide

Old? I stopped ageing at 38. I still am 38 . . . except when they say, 'Run up those stairs.' Old? I stopped ageing at 38. I still am 38 . . . except when they say, 'Run up those stairs.'

[on Richard Gere] He's got a pin-up image, which he hates. The only trouble is this: whenever they a Show more [on Richard Gere] He's got a pin-up image, which he hates. The only trouble is this: whenever they ask him to take his trousers off, he does. Hide

One of the odd things about the country today, odd for me to say it, is the obsession with celebrity Show more One of the odd things about the country today, odd for me to say it, is the obsession with celebrity. I do regard that as a little bit dangerous. Everyone expects too much of you, too much perfection. And then you get the shock headlines when you realize they're normal, we're all normal - J-Lo's got cellulite shock, and the rest - well, frankly, who gives a shit? Hide

People always told me "you can't be an actor, you don't talk posh." And I said, "I'll show you how t Show more People always told me "you can't be an actor, you don't talk posh." And I said, "I'll show you how to be an actor without talking posh". And I did it. Hide

[on John Wayne] Every now and then, we used to meet and have a drink or lunch. He genuinely liked me Show more [on John Wayne] Every now and then, we used to meet and have a drink or lunch. He genuinely liked me and of course I adored him. I met him by accident in the lobby of the Beverly Hills Hotel. Many years later, Shakira (Caine's wife) was in hospital with peritonitis and John coincidentally was in the next room, dying of cancer. I was around with him at the end. We used to walk up and down the corridor. Hide

[on some of his mid-career flops] I did a couple of pictures which were absolutely dreadful - one wa Show more [on some of his mid-career flops] I did a couple of pictures which were absolutely dreadful - one was Blue Ice (1992), and another with Olivier, where I played a spy based on Philby [The Jigsaw Man (1983).] I thought there was no need to put myself through it. I had enough money. I opened eight restaurants, goofed around in Miami, until Jack Nicholson persuaded me to do Blood and Wine (1996) with him and restored my faith in the business. Hide

I'll probably vote Conservative. I mean, we're in a terrible state whichever way you look at it, soc Show more I'll probably vote Conservative. I mean, we're in a terrible state whichever way you look at it, socially, financially and politically, so just give the other guy a chance. I don't know what Cameron's (David Cameron) going to do, but in the end you vote out of desperation. You just have to have someone new and see what happens. I voted for Maggie Thatcher (Margaret Thatcher) because I thought we needed a change from that long period of socialism; I voted for Tony Blair because we had a great long period of Conservatism. The thing now is to vote for Cameron (David Cameron). Hide

I can seem quite cold and I can hold it in but it stores itself; it works later. I'm very easily mov Show more I can seem quite cold and I can hold it in but it stores itself; it works later. I'm very easily moved. I'm not repressed at all. Hide

[on the death of Tony Curtis] It was a terrible shock and instantly I remembered the first time I'd Show more [on the death of Tony Curtis] It was a terrible shock and instantly I remembered the first time I'd met him. I was at a party, it was in winter and there was a fire and I was chain-smoking at the time, smoking a lot of cigarettes. I was stood there talking to someone and suddenly I felt a hand in my inside pocket and they took out my cigarettes and chucked them in the fire. I looked up and it was Tony Curtis. I'd never met him and he was very famous. I said, 'What did you do that for?' And he said, 'You're going to die Michael if you keep doing that.' I didn't give them up then but I did give them up eventually. Hide

The best research [for playing a drunk] is being a British actor for 20 years. The best research [for playing a drunk] is being a British actor for 20 years.

The danger is, of course, that the wait for a decent movie makes you desperate, and I got desperate Show more The danger is, of course, that the wait for a decent movie makes you desperate, and I got desperate to the point that I accepted a picture in Alaska with Steven Seagal, the martial arts expert. The movie was called On Deadly Ground (1994) and the title was to prove apt. Although Steven and the rest of the team were great to work with, I had broken one of the cardinal rules of bad movies: if you're going to do a bad movie, at least do it in a great location. Here I was, doing a movie where the work was freezing my brain and the weather was freezing my arse. Hide

I love HD. Of course, it's very unforgiving, especially on young beautiful ladies, but thank God I'm Show more I love HD. Of course, it's very unforgiving, especially on young beautiful ladies, but thank God I'm old, I don't care. Hide

Don't remake a successful picture, because you're liable to be the flop. Steve Martin and I made a m Show more Don't remake a successful picture, because you're liable to be the flop. Steve Martin and I made a much better picture of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988) than Marlon Brando and David Niven did. What I wouldn't do anymore is play any guest shots. I've given that up. I did it as some fun and it backfired in Get Carter (2000) so I'm not doing it again. Now I hear that they're going to remake The Italian Job (1969) with me in the Noël Coward part. I'd consider it, yes. Hide

I'm always supremely confident as a movie actor and my own view of myself is that I'm a highly skill Show more I'm always supremely confident as a movie actor and my own view of myself is that I'm a highly skilled movie actor. Hide

[Roger Moore] does the two things I hate most. I love children but I could never do what Roger's doi Show more [Roger Moore] does the two things I hate most. I love children but I could never do what Roger's doing. My idea of hell is long airplane flights. My other idea of hell is giving speeches to strangers. He does both all the time. Believe me, he's earned his knighthood!' Hide

[on Otto Preminger] O.P. is only happy if everybody else is miserable. Still, if you can keep his pa Show more [on Otto Preminger] O.P. is only happy if everybody else is miserable. Still, if you can keep his paranoia from beating you down, you can learn a lot from the guy. Hide

Today I'm in the fortunate and luxurious position of only working when I want to. I don't like getti Show more Today I'm in the fortunate and luxurious position of only working when I want to. I don't like getting up early or spending a long time learning lines, so these days I only work with offers that I really can't refuse. It's very different from the way I used to be. From the age of 20 to the age of 29, I was obsessed with becoming an actor and when I finally got to Hollywood, I could never quite believe that I had made it and so I kept on working for fear it would all disappear on me. These days, I don't think like that at all. I don't see myself as a Hollywood movie star - in fact I don't see myself as anything in particular. Hide

After eight years in Hollywood: Weather always the same. Nothing to talk about. No seasons. My garde Show more After eight years in Hollywood: Weather always the same. Nothing to talk about. No seasons. My gardener told me that if I wanted to grow daffodils, I'd have to keep them in the fridge for five weeks so they'd think they were in England. But I couldn't put them in the fridge because I thought the maid would make onion soup out of them and poison the bloody lot of us. Hide

Such is an actor's life. We must ride the waves of every film, barfing occasionally, yet maintain ou Show more Such is an actor's life. We must ride the waves of every film, barfing occasionally, yet maintain our dignity, even as the bulk of our Herculean efforts are keel-hauled before our very eyes. Hide

On his first days in Hollywood: It was amazing to see Fred Astaire doing his food shopping. On his first days in Hollywood: It was amazing to see Fred Astaire doing his food shopping.

If parents aren't working, how can they be decent role models? You have to look at all the people wh Show more If parents aren't working, how can they be decent role models? You have to look at all the people who are not sick, who've been on benefits for 20 years and have ten kids. I read in the news that we now spend more in benefits than we collect in income tax. I can't think of any country in the world that's ever done that. There can't be six million people who are too sick to go to work. You can't be accused of attacking the working classes, because they're not working. Hide

[on Alfie (1966)] To be a movie star, you have to carry a movie. And to carry a movie where you play Show more [on Alfie (1966)] To be a movie star, you have to carry a movie. And to carry a movie where you play the title role is the supreme example. The third thing, for a British actor, is to do it in America. The fourth is to get nominated for an award. That picture did all four things for me. Hide

Brown's (Gordon Brown) never been elected by anybody. I'm supposed to be in a country where I get th Show more Brown's (Gordon Brown) never been elected by anybody. I'm supposed to be in a country where I get the chance to elect someone and I'm around here at the most dangerous of times led by a man who's never been elected. You've gotta be elected. A political party that's in too long is like a piece of meat - if it's there too long it will go rotten and they've gone rotten and they've gotta go. Hide

Harry Brown (2009) wasn't a movie I wanted to do. It was a movie I HAD to do. I saw a lot of myself Show more Harry Brown (2009) wasn't a movie I wanted to do. It was a movie I HAD to do. I saw a lot of myself in the character and that is what drew me to the role. Hide

[about remakes of his classic films such as Get Carter (1971) and The Italian Job (1969)] I wish the Show more [about remakes of his classic films such as Get Carter (1971) and The Italian Job (1969)] I wish they would remake the BAD ones! Hide

When he was nominated for an Oscar for Educating Rita (1983): Irene Dunne and Loretta Young stopped Show more When he was nominated for an Oscar for Educating Rita (1983): Irene Dunne and Loretta Young stopped me and said, 'We both voted for you.' I couldn't believe it! Hide

[on Henry Fonda while shooting The Swarm (1978)]: 'He's one of the most astute actors I've ever know Show more [on Henry Fonda while shooting The Swarm (1978)]: 'He's one of the most astute actors I've ever known, with an intimate awareness of the film profession.' Hide

[on Bullet to Beijing (1995)] It was my worst professional experience ever. The filming itself was a Show more [on Bullet to Beijing (1995)] It was my worst professional experience ever. The filming itself was a joke. The final blow came when we were shooting in the Lenfilm studio itself. I wanted to go to the toilet and they directed me to it. I could smell it 50 yards away and it was the filthiest lavatory I have ever seen. I went outside and relieved myself against the sound stage, which I noticed several other men had done before. So this is where my career has ended, I thought to myself: in the toilet. I'm done. Hide

I've had such a great time, I'd like to come back as me - and do it all over again. I've had such a great time, I'd like to come back as me - and do it all over again.

[in 1967] I've never been out with a married woman, never. I respect others' properties. [in 1967] I've never been out with a married woman, never. I respect others' properties.

If I made a film like The Swarm (1978), I would make three very quickly before it came out, so I alw Show more If I made a film like The Swarm (1978), I would make three very quickly before it came out, so I always survived failure - because I had a hit. People say: 'Why did you do Jaws: The Revenge (1987)?'. They paid me $1million for 10 days... I come from a very poor background so I wanted to do everything for everyone. Every one of my family got a house. That was the attitude I had. I'm either going to get the Academy Award or I'm going to make a lot of money, I still base it on that. Hide

My father said nothing, but I know that he thought I'd just confessed to being gay. Back then, every Show more My father said nothing, but I know that he thought I'd just confessed to being gay. Back then, everyone thought all actors were gay, and most of them were right. But it must have been the right move - did you know that the only good word you can make from 'Michael Caine' is 'cinema'? I discovered that in a crossword 10 years ago. Hide

[on Jaws: The Revenge (1987)] I have never seen it, but by all accounts it is terrible. However, I h Show more [on Jaws: The Revenge (1987)] I have never seen it, but by all accounts it is terrible. However, I have seen the house that it built, and it is terrific. Hide

I once read, 'You must not compete against your predecessors or your contemporaries. You must compet Show more I once read, 'You must not compete against your predecessors or your contemporaries. You must compete against yourself.' I try to look for something better and better and better. Hide

First of all, I choose the great roles, and if none of these come, I choose the mediocre ones, and i Show more First of all, I choose the great roles, and if none of these come, I choose the mediocre ones, and if they don't come, I choose the ones that pay the rent. Hide

Do I believe in God? Yes I do. When you've had a life like mine, you have to. Do I believe in God? Yes I do. When you've had a life like mine, you have to.

[on Heath Ledger's performance as The Joker] The worry going in was The Joker. Jack Nicholson was th Show more [on Heath Ledger's performance as The Joker] The worry going in was The Joker. Jack Nicholson was the greatest Joker so, you know, how do you top that? Well, Heath Ledger's done it and he's extraordinary. He's gone in a completely different direction to Jack. Jack was like a clown figure, benign but wicked, maybe a killer old uncle. He could be funny and make you laugh. Heath is like a really scary psychopath. I did one scene with him and he was ready to go and had to come up in a lift and raid our place. I didn't see him for rehearsal and when he came out of the lift he was so incredible I forgot my lines. He frightened the life out of me. I'd never met him before. He's a lovely guy and his Joker is going to be a hell of a revelation in this picture. Hide

[In reference to the Oscar Family Album Tribute sequence at The 70th Annual Academy Awards (1998) an Show more [In reference to the Oscar Family Album Tribute sequence at The 70th Annual Academy Awards (1998) and speaking live on British television following the Oscar ceremony in 1998] I was sat up there with the likes of Claire Trevor and Luise Rainer. It means a lot to me, it was amazing, they are living legends! Hide

I do a lot of charity work, but never for adults. I don't like grown-ups very much. I do a lot of charity work, but never for adults. I don't like grown-ups very much.

What you have now which you didn't have when I was young is drugs. You had alcoholism, people gettin Show more What you have now which you didn't have when I was young is drugs. You had alcoholism, people getting pissed, but you never had the drugs and that is a massive problem. We were shooting in Hackney and someone local came up to me and said, 'Welcome to Crackney!' It was a gentler time when I was young. There were vicious gangsters but they were professional gangsters. They chose who they hit and what they robbed. But the drug addicts today have to kill anybody - it doesn't matter who - to get the money, so you get this incredible random violence. When I was young you fought the guy in the next street. But it wasn't so vicious then. We fought with our fists. Now they fight with knives and guns. Hide

It's terrible. Every six weeks it's Christmas. In Catch-22 (1970), the hero says, "Time is going by Show more It's terrible. Every six weeks it's Christmas. In Catch-22 (1970), the hero says, "Time is going by so fast, I have to make my life more boring." That's what I've got to do, because my life is so interesting and I enjoy myself so much, I've got to make it more tedious, because I'll be 100 in a minute. My mother died when she was 90, so I've got just under 20 years left. The terrible thing is that in obituaries, you read, "He died at 74, he had a good life." You think, "Bloody hell, I've only got 18 months to go". And another strange thing about aging - as you get older, it gets faster, and you see people you haven't seen in what you think is five years, but it turns out to be 25 years. You say, "I made that film ten years ago," and they correct me: "Thirty, Michael. Thirty". Hide

[When he told his parents he wanted to act, they assumed he was gay.] That's what we thought actors Show more [When he told his parents he wanted to act, they assumed he was gay.] That's what we thought actors were, all poofs. And sometimes we were right. Hide

I'm the original bourgeois nightmare - a Cockney with intelligence and a million dollars. I'm the original bourgeois nightmare - a Cockney with intelligence and a million dollars.

[on prisons] If you put people in cages, don't be surprised if they become animals. [on prisons] If you put people in cages, don't be surprised if they become animals.

My Alfie (1966) had to ask, 'What's it all about', as he was a bit stupid. Jude's Alfie (2004) was t Show more My Alfie (1966) had to ask, 'What's it all about', as he was a bit stupid. Jude's Alfie (2004) was too smart, too clever by half. I can understand why he said yes to the part, it probably seemed like a good idea at the time. An actor's life is full of decisions, some bad, some good. Hide

I used to get the girl; now I get the part. In The Quiet American (2002) you may have noticed I got Show more I used to get the girl; now I get the part. In The Quiet American (2002) you may have noticed I got the part and the girl. It's a milestone for me, because it's the last time I'm going to get the girl. I'm sure of it, now I'm nearly seventy. Hide

[When I was evacuated during the war, I spent a brief period with a family who exercised] a mild for Show more [When I was evacuated during the war, I spent a brief period with a family who exercised] a mild form of child abuse [by locking me in a cupboard. My mother found out after a fortnight and took me away,] but it was long enough to leave a mark, which formed part of my psyche for the rest of my life. I have never trusted an adult until a great deal of investigation has gone into them. I trust everyone on the surface, but directly anything starts to go deeper in the relationship, I'm very mistrusting. Even now. Because of what happened to me as a child. Maybe that's why I am a controlling person. I usually control the environment I'm in, but my control is very quiet and subtle. Hide

In England I was a Cockney actor. In America, I was an actor. In England I was a Cockney actor. In America, I was an actor.

[on doing the Texan accent for Secondhand Lions (2003)] I had a great dialect coach and he told me t Show more [on doing the Texan accent for Secondhand Lions (2003)] I had a great dialect coach and he told me there's always one moment when you get something. He said, "Do your Texan accent for me," when I had learned it from a tape. He said, "It's too English!". I said, "Why?". He said, "Each word stands up like soldiers standing to attention next to each other. The way they talk in Texas, they're so lazy they sort of lean on each word". And I could just picture all these words leaning over each other, and that's when I got it. Hide

I'm the United Kingdom of Michael Caine. I'm the United Kingdom of Michael Caine.

I love comedy. I love to make people laugh. If I hadn't been an actor, or an architect, which I real Show more I love comedy. I love to make people laugh. If I hadn't been an actor, or an architect, which I really wanted to be, I'd have been a stand-up comic. Hide

[on Marlon Brando's sending a surrogate to the 1973 Academy Awards to pick up his Best Actor Oscar f Show more [on Marlon Brando's sending a surrogate to the 1973 Academy Awards to pick up his Best Actor Oscar for The Godfather (1972)] I think if the man wants to make a gesture, I agree entirely with what he did. But I think he should have stood up and done it himself instead of letting some poor little Indian girl [Sacheen Littlefeather] to take the boos. And if, you're going to make a humanitarian gesture, I think a man who makes $2 million playing the leader of the Mafia should at least give half of it to the Indians. Hide

[on playing Clarence in Is Anybody There? (2008)] I'm my own worst critic. I spend my entire life tr Show more [on playing Clarence in Is Anybody There? (2008)] I'm my own worst critic. I spend my entire life trying to get it absolutely right. There are other actors who could do it better, but I'm proud of it. There's no Michael Caine there, there's no ego there. You just see poor old Clarence. Hide

I think life has got to develop as you get older and I don't want to be wandering along doing the sa Show more I think life has got to develop as you get older and I don't want to be wandering along doing the same old thing. I want more out of life. Hide

(On Sean Connery) If you were his friend in these early days you didn't raise the subject of Bond. H Show more (On Sean Connery) If you were his friend in these early days you didn't raise the subject of Bond. He was, and is, a much better actor than just playing James Bond, but he became synonymous with Bond. He'd be walking down the street and people would say, "Look, there's James Bond." That was particularly upsetting to him. Hide

On learning acting in postwar Britain: There was a whole generation of English theatre actors who'd Show more On learning acting in postwar Britain: There was a whole generation of English theatre actors who'd do a film in order to buy a car or a refrigerator, but really thought it was beneath them. Hide

My most useful acting tip came from my pal John Wayne. Talk low, talk slow, and don't say too much. My most useful acting tip came from my pal John Wayne. Talk low, talk slow, and don't say too much.

I refuse to take myself too seriously. I learnt that from Roger Moore many years ago. He said, 'Chee Show more I refuse to take myself too seriously. I learnt that from Roger Moore many years ago. He said, 'Cheer up, you'd better have a good time because this is not a rehearsal. This is life - this is the show. Hide

I've always got to have one impossible dream on the back burner. The one I've had for a long time is Show more I've always got to have one impossible dream on the back burner. The one I've had for a long time is to write a screenplay from the novel I've written. And direct it, and star in it. It's an impossible dream. But if you think of my life, there are so many impossible dreams that have come true for me that no dream is ever impossible any more as far as I'm concerned. Hide

[In order to appear strong in character] Don't blink. [In order to appear strong in character] Don't blink.

I stayed in Britain, but they kept putting the tax up, so I'd do any old thing every now and then to Show more I stayed in Britain, but they kept putting the tax up, so I'd do any old thing every now and then to pay the tax, that was my tax exile money. I realised that's not a socialist country, it's a communist country without a dictator, so I left and I was never going to come back. Maggie Thatcher (Margaret Thatcher) came in and put the taxes back down and in the end, you know, you don't mind paying tax. What am I going to do? Not pay tax and drive around in a Rolls Royce, with cripples begging on the street like you see in some countries? Hide

You get paid the same for a bad film as you do for a good one. You get paid the same for a bad film as you do for a good one.

I am in so many movies that are on TV at 2:00 a.m. that people think I am dead. I am in so many movies that are on TV at 2:00 a.m. that people think I am dead.

My charity is the NSPCC, which I've always done. I'm one of the patrons at the NSPCC, which harks ba Show more My charity is the NSPCC, which I've always done. I'm one of the patrons at the NSPCC, which harks back to when I was younger. So my charity goes towards children. If I were ever to do another charity, I would do it for the homeless. That's the other thing that bugs me, the homeless. But for me, it's mainly the children. I care very much about them. Hide

I left the country for eight years when tax was put up to 82 per cent. You didn't get the 82 per cen Show more I left the country for eight years when tax was put up to 82 per cent. You didn't get the 82 per cent tax from me for eight years. You didn't get any tax at all from me for the next eight years. Apart from that, a quarter of a billion dollars of movies were made outside this country instead of inside it which is just from one stupid, loud-mouth moronic actor. Imagine what is happening to companies, proper companies, who then disappear. It's no good. Hide

[About starring in "Youth", Hollywood Reporter - December 2015] The only alternative to playing elde Show more [About starring in "Youth", Hollywood Reporter - December 2015] The only alternative to playing elderly people is playing dead people. So I picked elderly people. That's a better idea. Hide

My view is that you should always do remakes of failures. Then you've got nowhere to go but up, you Show more My view is that you should always do remakes of failures. Then you've got nowhere to go but up, you know? They can't say, "Well, it's not as good as the original, you made a piece of crap". They'd just say, "What a piece of crap that was," anyway. Hide

I know there are thousands of actors out there who are as good, and better, than me, who just didn't Show more I know there are thousands of actors out there who are as good, and better, than me, who just didn't get the breaks. I'm not saying that I didn't deserve any of this but I'm also aware of the fickle nature of this business, and how being in the right place at the right time can change everything. Hide

[on Sean Connery] We're still friends. I phoned him the other day on his 80th birthday, but we never Show more [on Sean Connery] We're still friends. I phoned him the other day on his 80th birthday, but we never see each other because he doesn't move around a lot now. He won't make another film now, no. I just asked him. He said, 'No, I'll never do it.' Hide

Michael Caine's FILMOGRAPHY

as Actor (156)

Batman: The Dark Knight

Deathtrap

Blame it on Rio

Educating Rita

The Daily Show - Season 22

A Bridge Too Far

Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story

The Graham Norton Show - Season 26

Tenet (2020)

California Suite