Michael Caine announces his retirement after 70 years on screen

Actor Michael Caine, icon of British cinema, announced on Saturday that he was retiring at the age of 90 after a acclaimed performance in a final film, The Great Escaper, which concludes seven decades on the screens. Of the manipulative character of Bloodhound to the lying scientistInterstellar passing by the butler of Batman, he has appeared in more than 160 films. He received a total of six Oscar nominations, and won a statuette for Hannah and her sisters by Woody Allen in 1986 then in 2000 for God’s work, the devil’s part.

“I keep saying I’m going to retire. Well I am now. I told myself that I had just made a film in which I played the lead role and in which I received incredible reviews… What am I going to do that’s going to beat that?”

Michael Caine, actor

BBC Radio 4

“So I said to myself that it was better that I leave”

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 the 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-year-olds.”he confided. “They won’t be leading roles. There are no leading actors at 90, there are attractive young boys and girls. So I said to myself that it was better for me to leave.”

Maurice Joseph Micklewhite was born on March 14, 1933 in south London, in a poor environment. Looking for a stage name, he discovered the film poster Hurricane on the Caine and adopted the name of the boat as a pseudonym in 1954. This tireless actor, known for his accent “cockney” of the working classes of London but 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.