History of Michael Caine in Timeline

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Michael Caine

Sir Michael Caine is a celebrated retired English actor with a career spanning eight decades and over 130 films. Known for his distinctive Cockney accent and iconic status in British culture, Caine has garnered numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, a BAFTA Award, and three Golden Globe Awards. His films have grossed over $7.8 billion worldwide. Caine holds the distinction of being one of only five male actors nominated for an Academy Award across five decades. He received a BAFTA Fellowship in 2000 and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.

1954: Marriage to Patricia Haines

In 1954, Michael Caine married actress Patricia Haines.

1955: Caine's Father Given Fatal Overdose

In 1955, Michael Caine's father was given a fatal overdose at Caine's request, as he was dying from liver cancer. Caine revealed this information in a 2010 interview.

August 1957: Birth of daughter Dominique

On August 14, 1957, Michael Caine and Patricia Haines' daughter, Dominique, was born.

1958: Divorce from Patricia Haines

In 1958, Michael Caine divorced actress Patricia Haines.

1966: Alfie Film Released

In 1966, the film "Alfie" was released, which became a hit and later inspired the title of Michael Caine's first memoir.

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1969: The Italian Job Film Released

In 1969, the film "The Italian Job" was released, which later inspired the title of Michael Caine's third memoir, "Blowing the Bloody Doors Off".

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October 1972: Peter Sellers initiates 'Not a lot of people know that' catchphrase

On October 28, 1972, Peter Sellers, appearing on BBC1's Parkinson show, initiated the catchphrase "Not a lot of people know that" in reference to Michael Caine's habit of sharing obscure 'interesting facts'.

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January 1973: Marriage to Shakira Baksh

On January 8, 1973, Michael Caine married Shakira Baksh.

July 1973: Birth of daughter Natasha Haleema

On July 15, 1973, Michael Caine and Shakira Baksh's daughter, Natasha Haleema, was born.

1976: Becomes part owner of Langan's Brasserie

In 1976, Michael Caine became part owner of Langan's Brasserie and eventually owned interests in seven restaurants in the UK and US.

1983: Caine uses catchphrase in Educating Rita

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

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1983: Caine Wins BAFTA and Golden Globe for Educating Rita

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

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1984: Vocal sample for Madness song Michael Caine

In 1984, Michael Caine provided vocal samples for the ska-pop band Madness for their song "Michael Caine".

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1986: Caine Wins First Academy Award

In 1986, Michael Caine won his first Academy Award for the film "Hannah and Her Sisters" as a supporting actor.

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

In 1988, Michael Caine published Not a Lot of People Know This Is.

1992: Caine Publishes "What's It All About?"

In 1992, Michael Caine published his first memoir, "What's It All About?", the title of which is a quote from the title song from his 1966 hit film Alfie.

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1992: Publication of What's It All About?

In 1992, Michael Caine published his memoir, What's It All About?

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

1992: Singing in The Muppet Christmas Carol

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

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1992: Death of half-brother David Burchell

In 1992, Michael Caine's elder half-brother, David Burchell, who suffered from severe epilepsy, died. He had been living in Cane Hill Hospital since age 17.

1992: Caine Appointed as CBE

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

1997: Support of New Labour under Tony Blair

In 1997, Michael Caine supported New Labour under the leadership of Tony Blair.

2000: Caine Wins Second Academy Award

In 2000, Michael Caine won his second Academy Award for the film "The Cider House Rules" as a supporting actor.

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2000: Caine Knighted 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. He also received a BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award in 2000.

2002: Caine stars in Austin Powers in Goldmember

In 2002, Michael Caine starred in Austin Powers in Goldmember, playing Nigel Powers, father of Austin Powers, spoofing Harry Palmer.

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2007: Caine comments on impersonations

In 2007, Michael Caine commented on the impersonations of his voice during an interview with Michael Parkinson, and parodied his catchphrase.

2007: Release of Cained compilation CD

In 2007, Michael Caine released a compilation CD, Cained, on the UMTV record label.

2008: Caine Receives Variety Club Award

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

2009: Calls for reintroduction of national service in the UK

Following the launch of his film Harry Brown in 2009, Michael Caine advocated for the reintroduction of national service in the UK.

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2009: Criticism of Labour government's income tax rate

In 2009, Michael Caine publicly criticized the Labour government of Gordon Brown for its new 50% income tax rate.

2009: Reflects on religious differences with his wife

In 2009, Michael Caine reflected on his marriage with Shakira Baksh, noting the peaceful co-existence of their Christian and Muslim faiths.

2010: Endorsement of the Conservative Party

During the run up to the 2010 general election, Michael Caine publicly endorsed the Conservative Party.

2010: Publication of The Elephant to Hollywood

In 2010, Michael Caine published his memoir, The Elephant to Hollywood.

The Elephant to Hollywood
The Elephant to Hollywood

2010: Caine Publishes "The Elephant to Hollywood"

In 2010, Michael Caine published his second memoir, "The Elephant to Hollywood", reflecting on his journey from working-class London to Hollywood success.

2010: Caine Endorses Voluntary Euthanasia

In a 2010 interview with Classic FM, Michael Caine said he had requested a doctor to deliberately give his father a fatal overdose when he was dying from liver cancer in 1955 and endorsed voluntary euthanasia.

2010: Caine discusses impersonations

In a 2010 interview with The Telegraph, Michael Caine spoke about the impersonations of him and how people quote lines at him.

2010: The Trip features Michael Caine impressions

The 2010 television series The Trip, starring Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan, featured improvised scenes in which the two leads argue over who can do the better Michael Caine impression.

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January 2011: Caine Honored as 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: Caine Awarded Honorary Freedom of 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.

June 2014: Filming The Great Escaper

In June 2014, Michael Caine filmed The Great Escaper, a British-French film based on the true story of a WWII veteran.

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July 2014: Reported as celebrity investor in tax avoidance scheme

In July 2014, Michael Caine was reported to have been a celebrity investor in a tax avoidance scheme called Liberty.

2015: Caine as the epitome of Sixties Cool

In 2015, The Times described Michael Caine as "the epitome of Sixties cool" referring to his initial role as secret agent Harry Palmer.

July 2016: Name change by deed poll

In July 2016, Michael Caine legally changed his name to his stage name, Michael Caine, to simplify security checks at airports.

2016: Caine Voted in Favor of Brexit

In 2016, Michael Caine voted in favor of Brexit in the European Referendum. He stated his preference to be a "poor master than a rich servant" and described himself as a reluctant Leaver, expressing concerns about the European government.

2017: Caine Receives Golden Plate Award

In 2017, Michael Caine was the recipient of the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement. His Golden Plate was presented by Awards Council member Peter Jackson.

February 2018: Ankle injury from fall

In February 2018, Michael Caine broke his ankle after a fall on ice, requiring the use of a walking stick.

2018: Publication of Blowing the Bloody Doors Off

In 2018, Michael Caine published his memoir, 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

2018: Caine Publishes "Blowing the Bloody Doors Off"

In 2018, Michael Caine published his third memoir, "Blowing the Bloody Doors Off", a title referencing a quote from his 1969 hit film The Italian Job.

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2018: Stars in British Airways safety video

In 2018, Michael Caine starred in a British Airways pre-flight safety video with other British celebrities.

May 2019: Caine cast in Tenet

In May 2019, Michael Caine was cast as Sir Michael Crosby in Christopher Nolan's film Tenet.

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September 2020: Release of Tenet and Come Away

In September 2020, Christopher Nolan's film Tenet, starring Michael Caine, was released in America during the COVID-19 pandemic, becoming a box office disappointment despite positive reviews. Caine also appeared in the children's fantasy film, Come Away in 2020.

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2021: Caine in Twist and retirement speculations

In 2021, Michael Caine played Fagin in the film Twist, an adaptation of Oliver Twist. During interviews promoting the film Best Sellers in 2021, he hinted at retirement, but his representatives denied it.

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February 2022: Back surgery

In February 2022, Michael Caine underwent back surgery for spinal stenosis.

2022: Filming The Great Escaper

In 2022, Michael Caine filmed The Great Escaper, a British-French feature film starring Caine and Glenda Jackson.

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October 2023: Official Retirement Announcement

On October 13, 2023, Michael Caine officially confirmed his retirement from acting during a BBC Today radio programme interview, citing a decrease in leading role opportunities and great reviews for The Great Escaper as his reasons.

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October 2023: Release of The Great Escaper

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

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November 2023: Caine Publishes First Novel, Deadly Game

In November 2023, Michael Caine published his first novel, a thriller entitled "Deadly Game".

2023: Residences in London and Miami Beach

As of 2023, Michael Caine divides his time between residences in Chelsea Harbour and Wimbledon, London, and owns a flat in Miami Beach, Florida.

November 2024: Caine Supports Petition for New General Election

In November 2024, Michael Caine shared on his X account a petition from the UK Parliament petitions website demanding a new general election in the UK, following the election of Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister in July of that year.

2024: Caine Publishes "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".

2025: Using a wheelchair for public appearances

As of 2025, Michael Caine was using a wheelchair for public appearances, including at the Red Sea International Film Festival.