Batman, Interstellar, Inception… He had starred in some of the biggest blockbusters in American cinema. British actor Michael Caine announced this Saturday that he would retire at the age of 90 after a acclaimed performance in a final film, The Great Escaperwhich concludes seven decades on the screens.
Of the manipulative character of Bloodhound to the lying scientist‘Interstellar passing by the butler of Batmanhe 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 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 ceremonies marking the 70th anniversary of the 1944 D-Day landings 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 years old,” he confided. “They won’t be leading roles. There are no main actors at 90 years old, there are attractive young boys and girls. So I said to myself that it was better that I 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 boat’s name as a pseudonym in 1954.
This tireless actor, known for his “cockney” accent from 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 ennobled by Elizabeth II in 2000.