Actor Michael Caine, an icon of British cinema, announced Saturday that he is retiring at the age of 90 after an acclaimed appearance in his last film, “The Great Escaper,” which capped seven decades on the screen .
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From the manipulative character in “Hound” to the lying scientist in “Interstellar” to the butler in “Batman,” he has appeared in more than 160 films.
He received a total of six Oscar nominations, winning a statuette for Woody Allen’s “Hannah and Her Sisters” in 1986 and for “God’s Work, the Devil’s Part” in 2000.
“I keep saying I’m retiring. Now the time has come,” he told BBC Radio 4.
“I thought, I just did a movie that I starred in and got incredible reviews for… What am I going to do that will top that?” he explained.
The Great Escaper, released in the UK on October 6, tells the true story of World War II veteran Bernie Jordan, who fled his retirement home to take part in celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the 1944 landings in France to participate.
His performance was praised in that film, in which he starred opposite 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 years old,” he confided. “They won’t play leading roles. At 90 there are no main characters, just attractive young boys and girls. So I told myself it would be better if I left.”
Maurice Joseph Micklewhite was born on March 14, 1933 in south London into poor surroundings.
While looking for an artist name, he discovered the poster for the film “Hurricane on the Caine” and adopted the name of the boat as a pseudonym in 1954.
The tireless actor, known from working-class London for his cockney accent but a Rolls-Royce collector, was among the first cultural figures to speak out in favor of Brexit in 2016.
“Sir Michael” was knighted by Elizabeth II in 2000.