|
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 Norma Jewison and made in France.
|
