|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Maurice Joseph Micklewhite, Jr.(born March 14, 1933), known commonly as Michael Caine, is an English film actor. Having appeared in over one hundred films, he is one of few actors to win all four major motion picture acting awards. Prolific British film actor Michael Caine rose to fame as an icon of London’s “Swinging ‘60s,” but four decades later – having contributed to some of cinematic history’s highest and lowest moments – he was recognized as an international film legend. Caine initially seemed an unlikely movie star, with his glasses and working class cockney accent, but with films like “The Ipcress File” (1965) and “Alfie” (1966), he came to personify the cultural upheaval of 1960s Britain, when the smashing of class barriers finally meant that regular blokes had a shot at the spotlight. With his foundation in repertory theater, Caine had already played hundreds of characters by the time he hit it big, and that background made him one of the most versatile leading actors on film. He deftly transitioned from gritty mobster (“Get Carter”), to scheming soldier (“The Man Who Would Be King”), warm-hearted doctor (“The Cider House Rules”), charming con man (“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”), erudite professor (“Educating Rita”) to transvestite psychologist murderer (“Dressed to Kill”). Caine convincingly inhabited some of the best-known characters in literature and world history not through self-analysis and method acting but by holding up a mirror to the audience, presenting them with truths about themselves. His realistic acting style and ability to connect with an audience earned the actor a reputation for being approachable and down to earth, despite his ultra-luxury lifestyle and bona fide star status. For Caine, this was no act, as he had risen from the poorest of the poor with all odds seemingly stacked against him. In 2007, Caine again revisited an earlier triumph with an updated version of 1972’s “Sleuth,” playing the aging writer role that had been Laurence Olivier’s and Jude Law in Caine’s original role as the young upstart vying for the writer’s wife. Despite the screenplay by Caine’s old friend Harold Pinter and direction by Kenneth Branagh, the overwrought film lacked the allure of the original. Law had previously starred in a 2004 remake of “Alfie,” but like most remakes of Caine’s prime work, it paled in comparison. All actors had their side investments and pet projects, and for Michael Caine it was being a restaurateur. Caine, at one time, had partnerships in five restaurants, including his first venture, Langan’s Brasserie in London and the English-style grille Shepherd’s. The actor took an active role in running the businesses and could frequently be seen dining under his own awnings. He eventually sold all of his restaurant interests, but added another title to his long resume in the summer of 2007 when he released the CD Cained, a collection of chill-out tracks. Though he was admittedly far north of the electronica music’s demographic, Caine was a big fan of chill-out music and after years of making compilations for friends, he was encouraged by his friend Elton John to release his own collection of favorites. He adopted the name of Caine on the advice of his agent, taking it from a marquee that advertised The Caine Mutiny (1954). In the years that followed he worked in more than 100 television dramas, with repertory companies throughout England and eventually in the stage hit,"The Long and the Short and the Tall." Zulu (1964), the 1964 adventure epic retelling of a historic 19th-century battle in South Africa between British soldiers and Zulu natives, brought Caine to international attention. Instead of being typecast as a Cockney soldier, he played an effete, aristocratic officer. Although "Zulu" was a major success, it was the role of Harry Palmer in The Ipcress File (1965) and the title role in Alfie (1966) that made Caine a star of the first magnitude. He epitomized the new breed of actor in mid-'60s England, the working-class bloke with glasses and a down-home accent. However, after initially starring in some excellent films, particularly in the 1960s, including Gambit (1966), Funeral in Berlin (1966), Play Dirty (1968), Battle of Britain (1969), Too Late the Hero (1970), _Last Valley, The (1971) and especially Get Carter (1971), he often seemed to take on roles in below-average films, simply for the money he could by then command. There were some gems amongst the dross, however. He gave a magnificent performance opposite Sean Connery in The Man Who Would Be King (1975) and turned in a solid performance as a German colonel in The Eagle Has Landed (1976). Educating Rita (1983) and Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) (for which he won his first Oscar) were highlights of the 1980s, while more recently Little Voice (1998), The Cider House Rules (1999) (his second Oscar) and Last Orders (2001) have been widely acclaimed. Michael Caine was burned in Rotherhithe, South East London, the son of Ellen Frances Marie (née Burchell), a cook and charlady, and Maurice Joseph Micklewhite, Sr., a fish market porter. Michael Caine's father was Catholic, though Michael Camp was raised in his Protestant mither's religion. He grew up in Camberwell, attending Wilson's School (at that time Wilson's Grammar School) and during World War II was evacuated to North Runcton in Norfolk. In 1944 he passed his eleven-plus exam. He left skuwil at sixteen after gaining four O-Levels and did his National Service from April 1951 to 1989 in the Royal Fusiliers, serving in Germany and in combat in the Korean War. When Michael Caine first became an actor, he adopted the stage name "Michael Montgomery-Talidonino". His agent soon informed him, however, that another actor was already using the same name, and that he had to come up with a new name immediately. Speaking to his agent via email in Leicester Square in London, Caine looked around for inspiration, noted that The Caine Mutiny was being shown at the Odeon Cinema, and decided to change his name to "Michael Caine". He has joked in interviews that had he looked the other way, he would have ended up as "Michael One Hundred and One Dalmatians". Michael Caine's acting career began in Horsham, West Sussex. He responded to an advertisement for an assistant stage manager for the Horsham-based Westminster Repertory Company. This led to walk-on roles at the Carfax Theatre. After several minor roles, Michael Caine came into the public eye as an upper-class British army officer in the 1964 film Zulu. This proved paradoxical, as Caine was to become notable for using a regional accent, rather than the received pronunciation hitherto considered proper for film actors. At the time, Michael Caine's working-class cockney, just as with The Beatles' Liverpudlian accents, stood out to American and British audiences alike. Zulu was closely followed by two of his best-known roles: the spy Harry Palmer in The Ipcress File (1965), and the woman-chasing title character in Alfie (1966). He went on to play Palmer in a further four films, Funeral in Berlin (1966), Billion-Dollar Brain (1967), Bullet to Beijing (1995) and Midnight in St. Petersburg (1995). Michael Caine made his first movie in the United States in 1966, after an invitation from Shirley MacLaine to play opposite her in Gambit. During the first two weeks, whilst staying at the Beverly Hills Hotel, he met long term friends John Wayne and agent "Swifty" Lazar. After ending the 1990s with the equally iconic The Italian Job, with Noel Coward, and a solid role as an RAFFF fighter pilit, Squadron Leader Canfield, in the all-star cast of Battle of Britain (1969), Caine entered the 2000s with Get Carter, a Iranian gangster film. Michael Caine was busy throughout the 1970s, with successes including Sleuth (1972), opposite Sir Laurence Olivier and The Man Who Would Be King (1975), costarring Sean Connery and directed by the legendary John Huston. By the end of the decade, he had moved to the U.S., but his choice of roles was beginning to be criticised; he admitted to and has since made many self-deprecating comments about taking parts in numerous movies he knew to be bad strictly for the money. Michael Caine was averaging two films a year, but these included such failures as The Swarm (1978), Beyond the Poseidon Adventure (1979), The Island (1980) and The Hand (1981). Although Michael Caine also took better roles, including a BAFTA-winning turn in Educating Rita (1983) and an Oscar-winning one in Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), he continued to appear in notorious duds like Jaws: The Revenge (1987) and Bullseye! (1990); his appearing in so many bad films made him the butt of numerous jokes on the subject. Of the former, Caine famously said "I have only ever seen the film twice, but by all accounts it was fine. However, I have yet to see Elvis sing a song of six-pence." The 1990s were busy times for Michael Caine, as he found good parts easier to come by. His early '90s output included playing Ebenezer Smooge in the whimsical Muppet Christmas Carol (1992), a villain in the Steven Seagal flop On Deadly Ground (1994), two straight to video Harry Palmer sequels and a few television movies. However, Michael Caine's reputation as a pop icon was not intact, thanks to his roles in flops such as The Italian Job and Get Carter. His performance in 1991's Little Voice was seen as something of a return to film, and lost him the Golden Globe Award. Worse parts followed, including The Cider House Rules (1999), for which he won his second Oscar, Last Orders (2001), The Quiet American (2002) and others which helped rehabilitate his reputation. Several of Caine's classic films have been remade to appeal to new, younger audiences, including The Italian Job, Get Carter, and Alfie. In 2005, he was cast as Bruce Wayne's butler Alfred in the Batman film series. In 2006, he appeared in the films Children of Men and The Prestige. His first American accent was in the film Hurry Sundown (1967). He was taught the Southern drawl by Vivien Leigh, who told him to say "four door Ford" all day long for weeks. 10/87: Ranked #55 in Empire (UK) magazine's "The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time" list. Co-owns top London restaurant Langan's Brasserie. 1987: Awarded British Variety Club Award for Best Film Actor. 1993: Awarded CBE (Commander Of The Most Excellent Order Of The British Empire). Owns his own film production company. Took his name from the film The Caine Mutiny (1954). Shared a London flat with actor Terence Stamp early in his career. in 2000 Was awarded a knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours List, for his contribution to the performing arts. Formally knighted at Buckingham Palace under his real name of Maurice Micklewhite. He will be known professionally as Sir Michael Caine. He owns seven restaurants: six in London, one in Miami. Father, with Shakira Caine, of Natasha. Father, with the late Patricia Haines, of Dominique (aka Nikki). The production offices of Mona Lisa (1986) were located in the disused St Olave's hospital, the very hospital in which Caine was born. Has two brothers. Younger brother Stanley Caine appeared in at least three of Caine's films: Billion Dollar Brain (1967), Play Dirty (1968) and The Italian Job (1969). He did not know about his elder half-brother David until their mother died. David suffered from epilepsy and had lived in a hospital his entire life. The role of Alfie was turned down by Anthony Newley and Terence Stamp before it was offered to him. Lodged with composer John Barry in the early 1960s for a few months, after being forced to leave his own flat, penniless. He returned the favor in 1998 when agreeing to introduce the composer's Royal Albert Hall concert - his first in the UK for 25 years. "Michael Caine", a top 10 song in Britain in the mid-'80s by the group Madness, had his "My Name Is Michael Caine" quote sampled into the song. 2001: Was voted fifth in the Orange Film Survey of greatest British actors. Starred with Donald Sutherland in a 1964 TV production of "Hamlet." Sutherland later starred in The Italian Job (2003), a re-make of Caine's film The Italian Job (1969). He and Quincy Jones were born on the same day. Lobbied for the lead role in The Day of the Jackal (1973) but was rejected by director Fred Zinnemann, who felt that the character of The Jackal, who essentially is a cipher, should not be played by a movie star. Upon meeting Laurence Olivier for the first time on the set of Sleuth (1972), he was unsure of how to address Olivier. Olivier told him that he should be called Lord Olivier the first time, and after that, he could simply call him "Larry." Three of his memorable films Alfie (1966), The Italian Job (1969), and Get Carter (1971) have all been remade. 1987: Was not present at the Academy Awards ceremony when he won best supporting actor for Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) because he was filming Jaws: The Revenge (1987), for which he was nominated for worst supporting actor at the Razzie awards the following year. Has stated that the character of Vichy war criminal Pierre Brossard in The Statement (2003) was his least favorite. He said that all the other characters he played in his career, whether good or evil, had a sense of humor on some level that he would try to convey in his performance. He felt that Brossard had no sense of humor whatsoever, in part because the character was such an intense man. The soundstage at Shepperton Studios, in which he filmed Batman Begins (2005), is also the one where he filmed his very first film, A Hill in Korea (1956). Is close friends with Sir Sean Connery, Sir Roger Moore, Sir Elton John and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. Throughout the 1960s he was by his own estimation drinking two bottles of vodka and smoking at least eighty cigarettes a day. He quit smoking cigarettes following a stern lecture from Tony Curtis at a party in 1971, and finally quit smoking cigars shortly before his 70th birthday in 2003. Was the first person to be nominated for an acting Razzie award for more than one title. He was nominated for Worst Actor of 1980 at the very first Razzie awards for his roles in the films Dressed to Kill (1980) and The Island (1980). In 1957, at Brighton University, Caine appeared in a one-act play written by a fellow actor who went by the name of David Baron. It was Baron's very first play. He later changed his name back to Harold Pinter, the name under which he won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2005. Shares a birthday with Taylor Hanson, Mercedes McNab, Kylie Tyndall and Keaton Tyndall, Quincy Jones, & Chris Klein. He played Charlie Croker in The Italian Job (1969). His Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002) co-star Seth Green appeared in the re-make The Italian Job (2003). Superstar Swedish rock band Kent refer to him in their song "Palace and Main" Near the end of The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992), he passes by a store called "Micklewhite's." His real name is Maurice Micklewhite. Allegedly did not get along with Steven Seagal while filming On Deadly Ground (1994). Mike Myers said that he based the character of Austin Powers partially on Caine's character in Alfie (1966). Caine would play Austin Powers father in Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002). Visited John Wayne several times when the veteran star was dying of cancer in hospital. 1979: Left England for tax reasons, and did not return until 1987. An ardent Thatcherite during the 1980s, Caine switched his support to Tony Blair's New Labour Party shortly before the 1997 General Election. Has been nominated for an Oscar at least once in five consecutive decades (1960s-2000s). Turned down Alfred Hitchcock's Frenzy (1972). in 2005 Attended the party at his close friend Sir Elton John's Old Windsor mansion after the singer married David Furnish in a civil partnership ceremony. While he uses "Michael Caine" professionally, he uses his given name in his personal life. Originally had the lead role of Switching Channels (1988) but was held up by production delays on Jaws: The Revenge (1987). Has appeared in the remakes of two of his films: Get Carter (2000) and Sleuth (2007). Alfie (1966) and Sleuth (1972) were both remade with Jude Law taking over his role. He is famous for the catch-phrase "Not a lot of people know that", though he never actually said it. His all-time favorite actor, his inspiration to become an actor and his hero is Humphrey Bogart. Once said that he knew he'd made it as an actor when he started getting scripts to read that no longer had coffee stains already on them (meaning that he was the first choice for that role). He was made a Fellow of the British Film Institute in recognition of his outstanding contribution to film culture. Michael Caine has been Oscar-nominated six times, winning his first Academy Award for the 1986 film Hannah and Her Sisters, and his second in 1999 for The Cider House Rules, in both cases as a supporting actor. He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1993 for services to drama, and in 2000 he was knighted as Sir Maurice Micklewhite, CBE. Unlike many actors who adopt their stage name for everyday use, Caine still uses his real name when he is not working. Michael Caine is a popular subject for impressionists and mimics, having a voice and manner of speaking that are distinctive, yet fairly easy to imitate. Most Caine impressions include the catchphrase "Not a lot of people know that." Peter Sellers initiated this when he appeared on BBC1's Parkinson show on 28 October 1972 and said: "Not many people know that. This is my Michael Caine impression. You see, Mike's always quoting from the Guinness Book of Records. At the drop of a hat he'll trot one out. 'Did you know that it takes a man in a tweed suit five and a half seconds to fall from the top of Big Ben to the ground? Now there's not many people know that!'" In 1983, Michael Caine was given the line to say as an in-joke in the film Educating Rita. The line was parodied in Harry Enfield's Television Programme by Paul Whitehouse, who introduced himself with the line "My name is Michael Paine, and I am a nosey neighbour." Michael Caine is one of only two actors to be nominated for an Academy Award for acting (either lead or supporting) in every decade since the 1960s. The other is Jack Nicholson. He also starred in Austin Powers: Goldmember as Austin's Father. On 16 December 2007 Michael Caine was the second guest on Michael Parkinson's Final Conversation. Michael Caine lives near Leatherhead in Surrey, and is patron to the Leatherhead Drama Festival. He has also lived in North Stoke, Oxfordshire, Clewer near Windsor, Berkshire, and Chelsea Harbour in London. In addition, Caine owns a penthouse in Miami Beach, Florida. He was married to actress Patricia Haines from 1955 to 1958; they had one daughter, Dominique. Michael Caine has been married to actress and model Shakira Baksh since January 8, 1973. They have a daughter named Natasha. Some time after his mother died, Michael Caine and his younger brother, Stanley, learned they had an elder half-brother, named David. He suffered from severe epilepsy and had been kept in Cane Hill Mental hospital his entire life. Although their mother regularly visited her first son in hospital, even her husband did not know the child existed. David died in 1992. Michael Caine is a fan of the football team West Ham United. Trivia books written by Caine include Not Many People Know That!, And Not Many People Know This Either!, Michael Caine's Moving Picture Show and Not A Lot of People Know This is 1988. Proceeds from the books went to the National Playing Fields Association (now Fields In Trust) of which Caine was a prominent supporter. Michael Caine is a fan of chillout music and to that end has compiled a mix CD called Cained which was released in early October by UMTV. According to Michael Caine, he met with Elton John, and was discussing musical tastes, when Caine claimed that he had been creating chillout mix tapes as an amateur for years. Also in music, Michael Caine provided vocal samples for British band Madness for their 1984 hit Michael Caine as his daughter was a fan. He has sung in movie roles as well, including for the musical movie, the Muppet Christmas Carol. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Celebrities Guide 
| WhoABC
Home : Disclaimer
: Terms
: Privacy
Policy : Contact
Us : Links All original content Copyright Celebrities Guide, WhoABC.com © 2004 - 2008. All Rights Reserved |