Sir Michael Caine has been a star of stage and screen for over seventy years, and he’s finally hanging up his hat. For now, at least. This is his fourth time retiring.
The British actor and author came from humble roots, fought in wars, and went on to win Academy Awards before Queen Elizabeth II appointed him Commander of the Order of the British Empire and knighted him.
He has had an incredible career. But, we can’t help thinking that even though he says he’s retired…it might not stick.
Maybe Christopher Nolan could convince him to return for his ninth film with him as director.
Who is Michael Caine?
Born Maurice Joseph Michlewhite on 14 March 1933, Michael Caine is an acclaimed English actor who has appeared in over 130 films across seven decades. He is one of Britain’s most recognisable (for both his acting and his distinct Cockney accent) screen stars.
He rose from a working-class upbringing to become a two-time Academy Award winner and an enduring figure in international cinema.
Michael and his family originally lived in London’s Southwark district. They were evacuated during the Second World War to Norfolk. It was there that he first started acting at the local school. After the war, his family returned to London. And because many of London’s homes were destroyed in the Blitz, they lived in a prefabricated house.
In 1951, at the age of 18, he joined the British Army, and he served with the Royal Fusiliers. He fought in the Korean War. However, he contracted malaria and was discharged from service in 1953.
Michael Caine had an older brother named Stanley Caine (born 1935).
Stanley was also an actor, though he worked mostly in supporting roles. He appeared alongside Michael in films such as The Italian Job (1969). Stanley Caine passed away in 2013.
Who is Michael Caine married to?
Michael Caine has been married twice. His first marriage was to Patricia Haines, a British actress, in 1955. They had one son together, Michael Caine Jr. The marriage ended in divorce in 1962, before he met his current wife, Shakira.
He has been married to Shakira Caine (née Baksh) since 1973.
Shakira is a former model and actress from Guyana. The couple met in 1971 and have been together ever since. They have one son together, Dominic Caine.
He has three grandchildren through his son Dominic.
When did Michael Caine retire?
Rumblings about Michael Caine retiring first came out in 2009. Empire reported that his role in Harry Brown would be his last. However, he negated the report, stating: ” You don’t retire in this business; the business retires you.”
Then, in 2021, while promoting his film Bestsellers, he mentioned that he would retire. He shared that he was having difficulties walking and wanted to focus on his writing projects.
Michael officially retired in 2023, telling BBC Radio 4 that he was going out on a high note with his lead role in The Great Escaper.
“I keep saying I’m going to retire, well I am now, because I figured, I’ve had a picture which is — I played the lead, and it’s got incredible reviews. The only parts I’m liable to get now are old men, 90-year-old men, and I thought well, I might as well leave with all this. I’ve got wonderful reviews. What am I going to do to beat this?”
However, he walked it back on the same press tour with The Guardian. He stated that he wasn’t fully committed to retiring and had a film coming out the next year. However, it appears that the film about Charles Darwin wasn’t put into production. In fact, Anthony Hopkins has been cast as Darwin in an upcoming film, which will shoot in 2026.
His final retirement
In December 2025, Michael Caine again made his retirement announcement. The 92-year-old received an award at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia.
“I’m here to get an award, which doesn’t surprise me. I won two Oscars,” he joked from the stage. “I have a fabulous family that I adore beyond belief. I’ve had a fairly fabulous movie family, some who’ve let me down, and I love them beyond belief, including the failures. I kept going until I was 90, which is two years ago. I’m not going to do anything else; I’ve had all the luck I can get.”
What movies has Michael Caine been in?
With over 130 films on his roster, we couldn’t possibly list all his movies here. That’s what IMDB is for! However, these are (arguably) his most iconic roles.
Alfie Elkins
Alfie (1966)
Harry Palmer
The Ipcress File (1965), Funeral in Berlin (1966), and Billion Dollar Brain (1967)
A gritty, sarcastic British spy with a knack for getting into trouble. Based on the spy novels by Len Deighton, which featured an unnamed main character.
The role and Michael’s performance became so iconic that it was the inspiration for Mike Myers’ spy spoof, Austin Powers and its titular character. Michael starred in Austin Powers in Goldmember as Nigel Powers, Austin’s smooth-talking father.
Where to watch:
The Ipcress File is available to rent or buy from Apple TV. It is also available to stream on SBS On Demand.
You can stream Austin Powers in Goldmember on HBO Max. It can also be rented or bought from Apple TV.
Charlie Croker
The Italian Job (1969)
Mini Coopers, gold bullion, and a stunning location in Turin, Italy. Michael portrays a clever and charismatic thief leading a group on a high-stakes heist.
Where to watch:
The Italian Job is available to rent or buy from Apple TV.
Elliot Katz
Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
Nervous Elliot becomes entangled in complex romantic and family relationships, exploring love, temptation, and moral ambiguity. This role earned Michael his first Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
Where to watch:
Hannah and Her Sisters is available to rent or buy from Apple TV. It is also available to stream on Kanopy.
Dr Wilbur Larch
The Cider House Rules (1999)
Running an orphanage while performing illegal abortions, Dr Larch mentors a young man torn between loyalty and his own moral path. He earned his second Oscar for this performance, also for Best Supporting Actor.
Where to watch:
The Cider House Rules is available to rent or buy from Apple TV and Amazon Prime.
Frank Horrocks
Little Voice (1998)
Supportive and warm, Frank helps a shy young woman discover her singing talent while confronting personal and family challenges.
Where to watch:
Little Voice is available to rent or buy from Apple TV.
Fred Ballinger
Youth (2015)
Retired composer Fred reflects on his life, career, and lost love while vacationing in the Swiss Alps with a lifelong friend, Mick (Harvey Keitel), who is writing his final screenplay.
Where to watch:
Youth is available to rent or buy from Apple TV.
Alfred Pennyworth
The Dark Knight trilogy (2005-2012)
Loyal butler and mentor Alfred guides Bruce Wayne through personal and ethical dilemmas while assisting Batman’s fight against crime in Gotham City. Director Christopher Nolan’s dark and gritty take on the comic book character of Batman set the table for more serious comic book adaptations. It also led to Heath Ledger’s posthumous Oscar for Best Actor, a rare honour for a comic book film.
Batman Begins was Michael Caine’s first time working with Christopher Nolan, who went on to cast him in seven more projects: The Prestige (2006), The Dark Knight (2008), The Dark Knight Rises (2012), Inception (2010), Interstellar (2014), Dunkirk (2017), and Tenet (2020).
Where to watch:
The Dark Knight Trilogy is available to rent or buy from Apple TV. You can stream the trilogy on Stan or BINGE.
