Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Michael Caine

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Michael Caine

Discover the career path of Michael Caine, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Sir Michael Caine is a celebrated English actor, distinguished by his Cockney accent and prolific career spanning eight decades with over 160 films. A recipient of numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, a BAFTA, and three Golden Globes, his films have grossed over $7.8 billion worldwide. Caine is among a select few actors nominated for an Academy Award in five different decades. His contributions to British culture were recognized with a BAFTA Fellowship in 2000 and a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II.

1966: Hit film Alfie

In 1966, Michael Caine starred in the hit film Alfie.

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1969: Hit film The Italian Job

In 1969, Michael Caine starred in the hit film The Italian Job.

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1983: BAFTA and Golden Globe Award for Educating Rita

In 1983, Michael Caine received the BAFTA and Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his performance in Educating Rita.

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1983: Caine used "not a lot of people know that" phrase in Educating Rita

In 1983, Michael Caine used his catchphrase "not a lot of people know that" as a joke in the film Educating Rita.

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1984: Vocal samples for Madness song

In 1984, Michael Caine provided vocal samples for the ska-pop band Madness for their song "Michael Caine" because his daughter was a fan.

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1986: Academy Award for Hannah and Her Sisters

In 1986, Michael Caine won his first Academy Award for his role in the movie Hannah and Her Sisters, winning in the supporting actor category.

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1988: Publication of Not a Lot of People Know This Is 1988

In 1988, Michael Caine released the trivia book Not a Lot of People Know This Is 1988, with proceeds going to the National Playing Fields Association.

1992: Publication of What's It All About?

In 1992, Michael Caine published his first memoir, What's It All About?, a title taken from his 1966 film Alfie.

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What's It All About
What's It All About

1992: Singing role in The Muppet Christmas Carol

In 1992, Michael Caine sang in the musical film The Muppet Christmas Carol.

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1992: Appointed as Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

In 1992, Michael Caine was appointed as Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the Birthday Honours.

2000: Academy Award for The Cider House Rules

In 2000, Michael Caine secured his second Academy Award for his performance in The Cider House Rules, once again in the supporting actor category.

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2000: Knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II

In the 2000 Birthday Honours, Michael Caine was knighted as Sir Maurice Micklewhite, CBE, by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace for his contribution to cinema.

2002: Caine stars in Austin Powers in Goldmember

In 2002, Michael Caine starred in Austin Powers in Goldmember as Nigel Powers, spoofing his earlier role as Harry Palmer at the request of Mike Myers.

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2007: Release of Caine's Chill-Out Compilation CD

In 2007, Michael Caine released a compilation CD called Cained on the UMTV record label, showcasing his passion for chill-out music. This came about after discussing music tastes with Elton John, where Caine mentioned creating chillout mix tapes as a hobby for years.

2008: Variety Club Awards

In 2008, Michael Caine was awarded the prize for Outstanding Contribution to Showbusiness at the Variety Club Awards.

2009: Caine calls for national service

Following the launch of his film Harry Brown in 2009, Michael Caine advocated for the reintroduction of national service in the UK to provide young people with "a sense of belonging, rather than a sense of violence".

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2010: Publication of The Elephant to Hollywood

In 2010, Michael Caine published his second volume of memoirs, The Elephant to Hollywood.

The Elephant to Hollywood
The Elephant to Hollywood

January 2011: Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres

On January 5, 2011, Michael Caine was honored as Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by France's culture minister, Frédéric Mitterrand.

May 2012: Honorary Freedom of the London Borough of Southwark

In May 2012, Michael Caine was awarded the Honorary Freedom of the London Borough of Southwark as a person of distinction and eminence of the borough.

2017: Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement

In 2017, Michael Caine was the recipient of the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.

2018: Caine stars in British Airways safety video

In 2018, Michael Caine appeared in a British Airways pre-flight safety video with other British celebrities to promote the Flying Start children's charity partnership between BA and Comic Relief.

2018: Publication of Blowing the Bloody Doors Off

In 2018, Michael Caine published his third memoir, Blowing the Bloody Doors Off, named after an iconic quote from his 1969 film The Italian Job.

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Blowing the Bloody Doors Off: And Other Lessons in Life
Blowing the Bloody Doors Off: And Other Lessons in Life

2018: Publication of Blowing the Bloody Doors Off: And Other Lessons in Life

In 2018, Michael Caine published his third volume of memoirs, Blowing the Bloody Doors Off: And Other Lessons in Life.

Blowing the Bloody Doors Off: And Other Lessons in Life
Blowing the Bloody Doors Off: And Other Lessons in Life

May 2019: Caine cast in Christopher Nolan's Tenet

In May 2019, Michael Caine was cast as Sir Michael Crosby in Christopher Nolan's film Tenet, alongside John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, and Kenneth Branagh.

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September 2020: American release of Tenet

In September 2020, Christopher Nolan's film Tenet, starring Michael Caine, was released in America during the COVID-19 pandemic after multiple delays. It received positive reviews but was a box office disappointment.

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2021: Caine appeared in Twist and Best Sellers

In 2021, Michael Caine played Fagin in Twist, an adaptation of Oliver Twist. During promotion for Best Sellers in 2021, he hinted at retirement due to walking difficulties and a new interest in novel-writing, though his representatives denied it.

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2022: Filming of The Great Escaper

In 2022, Michael Caine filmed The Great Escaper, a British-French film with Glenda Jackson, based on a WWII veteran's true story.

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October 2023: Caine Confirms Retirement from Acting

On October 13, 2023, Michael Caine officially confirmed his retirement from acting due to a decrease in leading role opportunities. He announced his retirement during an interview on BBC Today, following the success of his film The Great Escaper.

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October 2023: Release of The Great Escaper

On October 6, 2023, the film The Great Escaper, starring Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson, based on the story of a British World War II veteran, was released.

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November 2023: Publication of Deadly Game

In November 2023, Michael Caine's first novel, a thriller entitled Deadly Game, was published.

2024: Publication of Don't Look Back, You'll Trip Over: My Guide to Life

In 2024, Michael Caine published his fourth memoir, Don't Look Back, You'll Trip Over: My Guide to Life.

Don't Look Back, You'll Trip Over: My Guide to Life
Don't Look Back, You'll Trip Over: My Guide to Life