2000 was a momentous year for MICHAEL CAINE. Not only did he receive his second Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the film The Cider House Rules, but also Queen Elizabeth II honored the legendary actor as a Knight Bachelor, bestowing upon him the title of Sir Michael Caine.
His versatility as a major international star can be seen in over 80 motion pictures. His work has earned him numerous accolades including two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor for Hannah and her Sisters and The Cider House Rules; the New York Critics’ Best Actor Award for Alfie; a Golden Globe Award and a British Academy Award for Educating Rita; two Golden Globe Awards for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Little Voice; as well as four Academy Award nominations for Alfie, Sleuth, Educating Rita and The Quiet American.
Some of his most recent films are Austin Powers in Goldmember, The Quiet American, Last Orders, Miss Congeniality, Quills and Get Carter. Other movies that illustrate his unique talent and range are The Muppets Christmas Carol, Noises Off, Mr. Destiny, The Fourth Protocol, Mona Lisa, Half Moon Street, Deathtrap, Dressed to Kill, California Suite, A Bridge Too Far, The Eagle Has Landed, The Man Who Would Be King, Pulp, Funeral in Berlin and Gambit, to name but a few.
Caine was born in South London. During childhood he developed a fascination for the cinema and an insatiable hunger for novels. He performed in school plays and even directed dramas in a youth club. After leaving school at 16 and a stint in Korea, he landed his first job in the theatre as an assistant stage manager. All the while he studied acting. After several years in repertory theatre and in small parts on television, Caine landed an understudy role to Peter O’Toole as Private Bamforth in the London stage hit, "The Long, The Short and The Tall." When O’Toole dropped out of the play, Caine took over the part and toured the country for six months, after which, his roles in television and film grew substantially.
The turning point in his career came in 1963 when he won the role of Lt. Gonville Bromhead in Joseph E. Levine’s production, Zulu. His supporting role stole the show for critics and audiences alike. Next he played Harry Palmer in the sleeper hit, The Ipcress File. By 1966 Alfie catapulted him to super-stardom, with the British film critics voting the movie Best Picture of the Year, Caine’s Oscar nomination and his award from the New York Film Critics.
In 1986 he returned to television for the first time in over 20 years to star in the four-hour miniseries "Jack the Ripper" which, in Britain, received the highest ratings ever for a drama.
With his partner, producer Martin Bregman, he formed M&M Productions in order to make films in Britain in which Caine could star or direct if he chose. Their first production, released in 1992, was Blue Ice, costarring Sean Young and directed by Russell Mulcahy.
Michael Caine’s autobiography, What’s It All About?, was published by Turtle Bay Books in November 1992.
He recently completed filming in Ireland Neil Jordan’s The Actors, directed by Conor McPherson. He also recently completed filming The Statement, which was directed by Norman Jewison and made in France.
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