Michael Caine is an English actor particularly known for his portrayal of British secret agent Harry Palmer and for being one of the few actors in film history to win all four major motion picture acting awards.
The son of Ellen Frances Marie and Maurice Joseph Micklewhite, Sr., Michael Caine was born on March 14, 1933 in Rotherhithe, South East London. He was grew up in Camberwell, where he attended the exclusive for boys’ grammar school, Wilson’s School. During World War II, his family was evacuated to North Runcton in Norfolk. He did his National Service in 1952, serving in combat in Germany and North Korea.
Michael Caine started his acting career in Horsham, West Sussex. He was hired as assistant stage manager for the Horsham-based Westminster Repertory Company, which eventually led to him lading on walk-on roles at the Carfax Theater. He finally had his big break when he played a British army officer in the 1964 historical film Zulu.
Caine further gained artistic recognition when he portrayed the British secret agent Harry Palmer in the 1965 spy film The Ipcress File. He later reprised this role in the other Harry Palmer films Funeral in Berlin released in 1966, Billion Dollar Brain released in 1967, Bullet to Beijing and Midnight in St. Petersburg both released in 1995.
In 1966, Caine played the title role of Bill Naughton’s adaptation of his own novel, Alfie. The film tells the story of a young man leading a promiscuous life, who after a series of unfortunate events reevaluates the main reason of his existence. That same year, Caine did his first movie in the United States in the action film Gambit, which co-stars Shirley MacLaine. This was then followed by his performances in the films The Italian Job, Battle of Britain, Get Carter and Sleuth.
In 1975, Caine co-starred with Seann Connery in The Man Who Would be King directed by John Huston. In 1983, did his BAFTA Award-winning role as Dr. Frank Bryant in Educating Rita. Three years after, he co-starred in Woody Allen’s romantic comedy film Hannah and Her Sisters, for which he won an Oscar Award.
Caine’s other films include Muppet Christmas Carol, On Deadly Ground, Little Voice, for which he won a Golden Globe, The Cider House Rules, for which he won his second Oscar, Last Order and The Quiet American.
Spouse:
Shakira Caine (8 January 1973 - present)
Patricia Haines (1955 - 1958) (divorced)
He owns seven restaurants: six in London, one in Miami.
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.
He and Quincy Jones were born on the same day.
Is close friends with Sir Sean Connery, Sir Roger Moore, Sir Elton John and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Won 2 Oscars. Another 25 wins & 36 nominations.
Academy Awards, USA:
2003: (Nominated) Oscar - Best Actor in a Leading Role
for: The Quiet American (2002)
2000: (Won) Oscar - Best Actor in a Supporting Role
for: The Cider House Rules (1999)
1987: (Won) Oscar - Best Actor in a Supporting Role
for: Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
1984: (Nominated) Oscar - Best Actor in a Leading Role
for: Educating Rita (1983)
1973: (Nominated) Oscar - Best Actor in a Leading Role
for: Sleuth (1972)
1967: (Nominated) Oscar - Best Actor in a Leading Role
for: Alfie (1966)