Legendary actor Michael Caine bids farewell to Hollywood with shock retirement announcement

Iconic British actor Sir Michael Caine has declared his retirement from acting, marking the end of a remarkable career that has spanned several decades.

Caine, known for his exceptional acting prowess and distinctive cockney accent, made the announcement to BBC Radio 4’s Today show on Friday, October 13.

“I keep saying I’m going to retire. Well I am now,” he said.

“I’ve figured, I’ve had a picture where I’ve played the lead and had incredible reviews. What am I going to do that will beat this?”

His decision to retire, he explained, stems from the realisation that there would likely be fewer roles offered to him in his later years.

“The only parts I’m liable to get now are 90-year-old men. Or maybe 85,” he explained.

“They’re not going to be the lead. You don’t have leading men at 90, you’re going to have young handsome boys and girls. So I thought, I might as well leave with all this.”

Caine’s decision to retire comes after a string of memorable performances in recent years, including his roles in critically acclaimed films such as Christopher Nolan’s Inception and The Dark Knight trilogy.

Throughout his career, Caine was awarded numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor in Hannah and Her Sisters and The Cider House Rules. His charming presence and remarkable versatility endeared him to generations of moviegoers, making him a beloved figure in the hearts of many.

Fans and colleagues alike took to social media to express their admiration and gratitude for the actor, many praising Caine for his unparalleled dedication to the craft and his ability to captivate audiences with every performance.

None better. On and off the screen, there is no one better than Michael Caine.

I am fortunate enough to be in a circle of friends who dine at the table of the lovely Tita Cahn. Michael and Shakira are often there when in town, and those evenings are indescribable. He’s one of… pic.twitter.com/qsxOeYoayL

— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) October 14, 2023

Well deserved for such a long career. However, there was a small part of me that was hoping for a Dirty Rotten Scoundrels sequel! ?

— Rene A. Zelada | LOWKEY GEEK! @NYFF ? ? ? ? (@the_lowkey_geek) October 14, 2023

Thank you, ??? Michael Caine.

AWESOME ACTOR!!

— Cool as an ocean breeze (@thomasis23) October 14, 2023

What a career! An amazing man & very few actors of this quality & caliber left.
Thanks for the entertainment ?

— Prodigerl (@Prodigerli) October 14, 2023

“You’re only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!”

THE ITALIAN JOB (1969)

You’ve more than earned your retirement from acting, and you’ve more than royally entertained us.

THANK YOU, MICHAEL CAINE.

pic.twitter.com/SXjOHfNHSQ

— Michael Warburton (@MichaelWarbur17) October 14, 2023

With his acting days behind him, we could now see Caine channeling his creativity into writing, as evidenced by the recent release of his first novel.

The novel, called Deadly Game, tells the story of police detective Harry Taylor who discovers a high-level criminal enterprise and is drawn into a race against time to solve the mystery of a nuclear package that has fallen into the wrong hands.

Caine has reportedly long had the desire to write a thriller but only found the time to put pen to paper when the Covid lockdowns forced people across the globe indoors.

Caine spoke with The Times about always wanting to write a thriller novel, given it’s a genre he loves to read himself.

“It’s been my ambition for years to write a thriller,” he told the publication.

“It’s the genre I most love to read, and I’ve really got a buzz out of working on Deadly Game and teaming up with Hodder once again to publish it.

“I hope readers enjoy getting to know Harry Taylor as much as I did.”