film tom cruise michael caine

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes
• Entertainment

Tom Cruise Celebrates with Michael Caine as He Turns 90 in London

The Top Gun: Maverick star joined the legendary actor for his birthday celebration on Tuesday

Tom Cruise helped Michael Caine celebrate his 90th birthday in London Tuesday.

The Top Gun: Maverick star joined the legendary actor at a celebratory dinner also attended by Caine's wife, Shakira Caine, Mission Impossible writer Chris McQuarrie and Britain's Got Talent judge David Walliams.

"Happy 90th Birthday to the legendary Sir Michael Caine," Walliams captioned a selection of photos from the dinner party to his Instagram Tuesday, showing Cruise, 60, with his arm around Caine's shoulder and laughing happily at a long white table.

Caine can also be seen with a microphone in his hand and holding a glass of red wine in the pics alongside a smiling Cruise.

The Batman Begins star was presented with a round chocolate cake with "Happy Birthday" written across it at the table carrying long thin, multi-colored candles.

Meanwhile, Loose Women 's Denise Welch was on hand to provide some comedy for the actor's birthday festivities at The River Café in upmarket Fulham, West London. At one point during the night, Welch had the group howling with laughter after saying a "dirty joke" about Caine and some "Olympic condoms."

"Such an honour to be asked by Shakira to say a few words at Sir Michael Caines' 90th birthday!!!" Welch wrote in a caption alongside the video. "He loves a dirty joke and so does @tomcruise it appears!!!! Great night and amazing company," she added.

After the party wrapped, Caine, Cruise and the rest of the guests were snapped leaving the famed restaurant, with Cruise looking relaxed in a black button-down shirt with his sleeves rolled up. Caine used a walker, looking dapper in a navy suit.

The Hollywood icons starred in 2002's Austin Powers in Goldmember together.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

On Sunday, Cruise skipped the 2023 Oscars , which was attended by his ex-wife Nicole Kidman . His blockbuster movie Top Gun: Maverick had been nominated in six categories, including Best Picture, and scooped up one Academy Award for Best Sound.

Over the course of his career, Caine has won two Oscars, his first for 1986's Hannah and Her Sisters (Best Supporting Actor), which he reportedly skipped out on the ceremony to film Jaws: The Revenge . In 1999, he won Best Supporting Actor for Cider House Rules .

Some of his other most famous films include The Prestige (2006), The Dark Knight (2008) and the 1969 classic, The Italian Job .

Related Articles

• Entertainment
• Celebrities
• Ticket Sales
• Promoted: What to Watch on Prime Video

trending now

3 US Marshals dead, officers wounded in shooting near Charlotte...

Missing emergency slide that fell off Delta flight found — with...

Space laser transmission strikes Earth from 140 million miles...

Dan Rather returns to CBS for first time 18 years after he...

South Dakota gov has 'no shot' as Trump's VP pick after...

NYC firefighter, 36, dies of heart attack after being fired to...

Two ex-NY quarterbacks out at CBS in huge NFL shakeup

Columbia in chaos as hundreds of anti-Israel protesters defy...

Tom cruise celebrates michael caine’s 90th birthday after ditching oscars.

• View Author Archive
• Follow on Twitter
• Get author RSS feed

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

While he skipped this year’s Oscars festivities, Tom Cruise couldn’t pass up an opportunity to celebrate Michael Caine’s 90th birthday.

The 60-year-old  “Top Gun: Maverick”  actor was noticeably absent from the  2023 Academy Awards on Sunday, despite the blockbuster film being nominated for six awards.

But as the celebrities got suited and booted for Hollywood’s biggest night, Cruise headed across the pond to attend Caine’s birthday celebration in the UK.

Joining the likes of comedian David Walliams and Caine’s wife, Shakira, 75, Cruise was snapped grinning at an intimate dinner for the big day.

“Happy 90th Birthday to the legendary Sir Michael Caine,” Walliams wrote on Instagram alongside a series of pictures from the dinner.

Caine appeared to be healthy and in good spirits as he continues to recover from major spinal surgery to treat spinal stenosis — a condition caused by the narrowing of the spinal canal, resulting in back and neck pain.

The two-time Oscar winner, who relies on the help of a walking frame, previously spoke out about his back issues in 2021 — sparking speculation that he was set to retire .

Other snaps from his birthday showed Cruise wrapping his arm around the veteran actor as Walliams joined them for a snap.

The scaled-back affair featured a handful of A-listers including celebrity chef Ruth Rogers and an appetizing chocolate cake and a lot of red wine.

Cruise was MIA at Sunday’s ceremony because he reportedly wanted to avoid an “awkward run-in” with his ex-wife Nicole Kidman, 55, whom he divorced more than 20 years ago.

“Tom was not there because she was there, and he did not want a run-in,” a source  told the Daily Mail  on Monday.

But insiders close to Cruise told the outlet that his absence was “not personal” and instead the result of scheduling issues.

The Post has contacted representatives for Cruise and Kidman for comment.

The prolific duo married on Dec. 24, 1990, and adopted two children — Isabella, now 29, and Connor, now 27, who are both  reportedly members  of the  Church of Scientology, like their dad, Cruise .

Cruise  filed for divorce in February 2001 , citing “irreconcilable difference” after allegedly walking out on Kidman that same year.

Cruise went on to marry fellow actress Katie Holmes, 44, in 2006 before their divorce in 2012.

Meanwhile, Kidman married country musician Keith Urban, 55, in 2006.

The happy couple shares two daughters: Sunday Rose, 14, and Faith Margaret, 12.

Share this article:

Advertisement

Accessibility Links

Tom Cruise celebrates Michael Caine’s birthday after skipping Oscars

Perhaps Tom Cruise’s absence from the Oscars was because his scene-stealing ex-wife, Nicole Kidman, was attending, some wondered . . . Or a prophetic sense that Top Gun: Maverick would fail to win any major prizes . . . Or maybe the actor just could not resist travelling to London to celebrate with the birthday boy, Sir Michael Caine.

Cruise, who had been expected at the ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday until a few days before, was spotted sitting next to Caine at his intimate 90th birthday dinner at The River Café in the capital on Tuesday. Caine was flanked by Cruise, 60, and Christopher McQuarrie, a director and writer from Cruise’s Mission: Impossible series of films .

Top Gun: Maverick was in the

Related articles

• by Tom Murray
• The Independent - Film

Similar News

• by Amanda Lauren
• TV Shows Ace

• by Ryan Schwartz

• by Nikole Behrens

• by Jeremy Smith

• by Laxmi Rajput

• by Ryan Scott

James Cameron (I)

• by Sharanya Sankar

• by Rouvin Josef Quirimit

• by Joe Roberts

More to explore

Recently viewed.

• 09:51, 15 Mar 2023

Tom Cruise was all smiles as he posed for a picture alongside birthday boy Sir Michael Caine .

The duo were snapped with comedian David Walliams , who later shared the image to his Instagram account.

The 51-year-old former Britain's Got Talent judge had joined Top Gun star Tom, 60, to celebrate Get Carter star Sir Michael's landmark 90th birthday and the trio seemed in high spirits to mark the occasion.

In the image, the trio were looked dapper as they sat at the dinner table with fellow guests. Other pictures shared by David included a snap of Sir Michael taking to the microphone to address the party goers, while another showed off his chocolate cake with multi-coloured candles.

Also in attendance was Sir Michael's long-term wife Shakira Caine and Loose Women's Denise Welch.

David captioned the post: "Happy 90th Birthday to the legendary Sir Michael Caine," while a number of famous faces and fans alike took to the comments section to share their well wishes too.

Tom's appearance comes just days after the Hollywood star decided to stay away from the star-studded Oscars ceremony despite Top Gun: Maverick being up for six awards, including the Best Picture Award.

In the end, the flick bagged just the one gong for Best Sound with Everywhere All At Once being honoured with the prestigious Best Picture accolade.

Instead of appeared on the red carpet for the 95th Academy Awards, he is said to have spent the evening in an igloo .

It was claimed he was said to have "known" the film would miss out on the Oscar and so decided to "get on with doing what he does best".

However, another source says his no-show was so he could "avoid an awkward run-in" with his ex-wife Nicole Kidman.

The duo split in 2001 and a bitter divorce followed, with her reported refusal to join him in the Church of Scientology said to be a factor.

"Tom was not there because she was there, and he did not want a run-in," a source told the Daily Mail .

Sources close to Cruise claimed his absence was 'not personal' and was nothing more than scheduling difficulties.

Follow the Mirror US News page on Facebook

All the latest news, showbiz, lifestyle and sports updates, brought to you by our dedicated American team.

Follow the Mirror US News page on Facebook to make sure you're not missing out.

* Follow Mirror Celebs on Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter and Facebook .

MORE ON David Walliams Tom Cruise Michael Caine

Celeb obsessed get a daily dose of showbiz gossip direct to your inbox.

• Entertainment
• Celebrity Life
• Celebrity Photos

Michael Caine seen on rare outing with Tom Cruise to celebrate 90th birthday

Legendary Hollywood star Michael Caine stepped out to celebrate his milestone 90th birthday at a London restaurant, alongside Tom Cruise.

Doja Cat steps onto red carpet in lingerie

A-list movie star lands jet in Sydney

Rare sighting of Young Einstein star at 70

Sir Michael Caine has celebrated his milestone 90th birthday surrounded by his famous friends – including Tom Cruise.

While the Oscars-shy action star ditched last week’s Academy Awards, preferring to sleep in an igloo in the Arctic Circle while filming the latest Mission: Impossible instalment, he clearly wasn’t about to say no to Sir Michael.

The beloved British actor rang in his special day at top London eatery The River Cafe, surrounded by his celebrity friends, including Cruise, Little Britain star David Walliams and Loose Women talk show host Denise Welch.

“Happy 90th birthday to the legendary Sir Michael Caine,” Walliams captioned a carousel of photos of the star-studded event, which he shared on Instagram.

It was a rare outing for Caine, who isn’t often seen out and about these days. Although the star has not officially retired from acting – he still has two projects in the pipeline – he leads a quiet life in London with his wife of 50 years, former actress and model Shakira, 76.

However, there was nothing quiet abut the birthday bash on Tuesday evening, with Caine, Shakira and their famous friends appearing in good spirits in an Instagram video shared by Welch.

“Such an honour to be asked by Shakira to say a few words at Sir Michael Caine’s 90th birthday,” the talk show host wrote in the caption. “He loves a dirty joke and so does @tomcruise it appears! Great night and amazing company.”

The video then showed part of her speech, with Cruise seen wiping away tears of laughter.

Meanwhile, fans couldn’t get enough of the Cruise-Caine outing, with many voicing their delight on social media.

“No way is that Tom Cruise and Michael Caine … just fainted, I can’t imagine being at the same table as Hollywood royalty,” one fan tweeted, while another wrote: “Totally bizarrely hilarious.”

More Coverage

While Caine and Cruise have known each other for decades, the Alfie star only met Welch in 2016 after her artist husband, Lincoln Townley, introduced them when he painted a portrait of the Hollywood legend.

“Michael is a complete legend,” she told Daily Mail last year. “I was very nervous of him when I first met him. He’s a huge fan of my husband’s work.

“I became very good friends with Shakira, his wife. We see them as regularly as possible and I adore him,” she added. “We don’t seem to make movie stars like that anymore. He’s just a legendary actor and he’s just wonderful.”

Singer Doja Cat clutched a glass of wine as she strutted onto the red carpet in Los Angeles on Monday night.

One of Hollywood’s highest paid actors has been spotted flying into Australia on his private jet, as his latest movie continues filming down under.

The distinctive Aussie actor responsible for the hit film Young Einstein has been spotted looking fighting fit at 70 years old.

Sir Michael Caine celebrates 90th birthday with Tom Cruise and Loose Women's Denise Welch

Welch shared a clip on social media of her telling an X-rated joke at the star-studded dinner that appeared to leave Cruise in hysterics.

Thursday 16 March 2023 09:07, UK

Sir Michael Caine celebrated his 90th birthday with a star-studded dinner attended by Tom Cruise, David Walliams and Loose Women panellist Denise Welch.

The Oscar-winning actor was joined by friends and family at top London restaurant The River Cafe in Hammersmith.

Sir Michael worked with Cruise on the 2002 Austin Powers film Goldmember but the pair have known each for decades.

The Mission: Impossible star attended after missing Sunday's Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles despite his recent smash Top Gun: Maverick being nominated for six awards.

Read more: Lindsay Lohan announces she is pregnant with her first child Queen star Brian May knighted Sir Michael's link to Walliams includes the pair working together on British crime drama film Twist.

Meanwhile, Welch has been friends with Sir Michael since her artist husband Lincoln Townley painted his portrait in 2016.

Welch shared a clip on social media of her telling an X-rated joke at the actor's birthday dinner, which appeared to leave Cruise and Sir Michael's wife Shakira in hysterics.

The former Coronation Street actress wrote on Instagram: "Such an honour to be asked by Shakira to say a few words at Sir Michael Caines' 90th birthday!!! He loves a dirty joke and so does @tomcruise it appears!!!! Great night and amazing company."

Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber also attended the party with his wife Madeleine.

Actress Mia Farrow, who starred alongside Sir Michael in Woody Allen film Hannah and Her Sisters, posted a birthday message to the British actor.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mia Farrow (@realmiafarrow)

She called Sir Michael a "funny and wise friend" and posted a picture of them together at an awards ceremony in 1979.

Click to subscribe to Backstage wherever you get your podcasts

Related Topics

• michael caine

• TV & Film
• Say Maaate to a Mate
• First Impressions - The Game
• Daily Ladness
• Citizen Reef

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories , we're happy to send you some reminders

Click ' OK ' then ' Allow ' to enable notifications

Tom Cruise attends Sir Michael Caine’s 90th birthday party after ditching the Oscars

Despite his film top gun: maverick being nominated for six nominations, cruise booted hollywood’s biggest night.

Charisa Bossinakis

Tom Cruise has been seen in social media photos attending Sir Michael Caine’s birthday shortly after ditching the 95th Academy Awards.

Despite his film Top Gun: Maverick being nominated for six nominations, Cruise booted Hollywood’s biggest night due to scheduling conflicts .

The actor had to film scenes for Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part II , but it seems that he has found some time to help Caine celebrate his 90th birthday.

David Walliams posted photos from the amazing night and it showed Cruise smiling from ear to ear alongside the Batman Begins star.

Walliams posted a pic of the event with the caption: “Happy 90th Birthday to the legendary Sir Michael Caine.”

English actor Denise Welch also wished the 90-year-old a happy birthday and shared a small clip exchanging a few funny words about the actor who had Cruise in stitches.

Welch revealed how Caine had joked that a small package of ‘Olympic condoms’ had arrived at their doorstep the other day.

Caine told his wife that he would wear the gold condom, to which Shakira said he should wear silver to ‘c*m second for a change’.

She absolutely dragged him to filth, and we are here for it. Go off, sis.

The story had the whole room in hysterics, including Cruise, who appeared to be wiping tears of laughter away.

Welch captioned the video: “Such an honour to be asked by Shakira to say a few words at Sir Michael Caines’ 90th birthday!!! He loves a dirty joke and so does @tomcruise it appears!!!! Great night and amazing company @nctopsy @therivercafelondon.”

Caine, who has starred in films including Batman Begins, Now You See Me and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, was in high spirits after recovering from a back surgery that affected his ability to walk.

In 2021, the actor also confirmed that Best Seller would likely be his last film.

While he also went on to appear in Medieval, Caine revealed that he would instead turn his focus to writing.

According to Vanity Fair , he told journalist Simon Mayo: “There haven’t been any offers honestly for two years, because nobody’s been making any movies I’d wanna do.”

He added: “You know I’m 88. There’s not exactly scripts pouring out with a leading man that’s 88, you know?”

He also told NPR of his interest in writing: “My professional—my life has been with 150 people all day long every day. So I now sit down to do something on my own. And I think that’s what it is all about.”

Topics:  News , Tom Cruise , Celebrity

Charisa Bossinakis is an Associative Journalist at LADbible. Charisa has worked across various media platforms including, print, digital, radio and podcasting while maintaining the highest regard for quality work and integrity. She also covered everything from breaking news, to pop culture, entertainment and politics and is part of the editorial team for LADbible.

@ CBossinakis

Choose your content:

Netflix provokes reaction with extremely intimate photo of Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell

Sydney sweeney and glen powell are a bit too close for comfort in the image for some people....

Fight Club fans stunned after noticing Tyler 'flash' early in film which gives away entire plot twist

Brad pitt made a few sneaky appearances in scenes which hinted at the epic plot twist.

Martin Freeman finally addresses sex scene between him and Jenna Ortega which left viewers 'disturbed'

Martin freeman has spoken out about the controversial scene.

Snoop Dogg revealed the only person who can out-smoke him

That's right, someone has out-smoked the doggfather before.

• People questioning why Tom Cruise and Shakira appeared to attend Miami GP together
• Tom Cruise bars Aussie journo from media events after conflict from over a decade ago
• Tom Cruise performs death-defying stunt at 61
• What happens to old cruise ships after they enter giant 'graveyards'

Michael Caine’s best films – ranked!

50. escape to victory (1981).

There’s much to find risible about this Hollywooded-up footballers-against-the Nazis yarn, but Caine’s avuncular presence keeps it watchable, bridging the gap between Sylvester Stallone’s sub-Rocky histrionics and the sheepish line readings of the real-life footballers involved. Not nearly as awful as it could have been.

49. The Swarm (1978)

Probably the best – or least bad – of Caine’s late-70s-into-the-80s do-anything-for-money period, which included Beyond the Poseidon Adventure and Ashanti. The Swarm is actually pretty nifty: an insect-based carve-up from disaster-master Irwin Allen, featuring killer bees cutting a swathe through Texas. Caine is the prof who works out how to destroy them.

48. The Marseille Contract (1974)

A pretty straightforward rip-off of The French Connection, but entertainingly paying homage to the great French gangster movie tradition. Caine and co-star Anthony Quinn are namechecking leads Deray and Ventura, a killer-for-cash and American agent out to take down James Mason’s drug baron.

47. Interstellar (2014)

Christopher Nolan’s ancestor worship has given Caine a late-career fillip. His role, as the boffin running a super-secret space agency in Nolan’s ambitious attempt to emulate Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, is a sort of autopilot-gravitas.

46. Pulp (1972)

Caine didn’t think much of Mike Hodges’ follow-up to Get Carter; it’s very much not the lean, mean neo-noir that they managed for Carter. Pulp regained some critical credibility in the 90s (not least because of its title similarity to Pulp Fiction) and its labyrinthine literary musings look more interesting now.

45. Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)

It was perhaps inevitable that Caine would show up in Mike Myers’ 60s-spy spoof: he plays Nigel, Austin and Evil’s dad, who is still the bum-pinching dinosaur of yore. Broad comedy mugging isn’t really Caine’s strength, but he gets through it fine.

44. King of Thieves (2018)

Caine issued a public call to be cast in a movie about the Hatton Garden job, and the result was pretty classy, compared with most of the geezer-gangster landfill of the past two decades. Caine skilfully brings out the inner desolation of his character even if the surrounding film’s attempt to humanise the robbers never quite hits high gear.

43. The Magus (1968)

Long considered a disaster – not least by Caine himself, who said he was forced into making it for legal reasons – this now comes across as the nuttiest of psychedelic period pieces, alternately baffling and flabbergasting. On some level Caine seems totally out of place, but that actually suits the bonkers material.

42. Dressed to Kill (1980)

Brian De Palma accumulated mucho trash points with this Psycho homage, even if its roll-up of dissociative identity disorder and trans-baiting, suspect back then, looks much worse now. But it was a real out-there choice for Caine, showing he was willing to break the boundaries of what was considered a safe role. Trigger warnings very much required nowadays.

41. The Fourth Protocol (1987)

One of Caine’s better attempts to resuscitate his Harry Palmer persona: a cold-war thriller adapted from a Frederick Forsyth novel that managed to beat the Berlin wall coming down by a mere two years.

40. The Prestige (2006)

Caine played third fiddle to Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale in Christopher Nolan’s fifth feature, as another avuncular mentor figure who is given the all-important clip-worthy montage that explains how magic tricks work. He gets the required feels, even if he is a bit overshadowed by Nolan’s directorial fireworks.

39. The Black Windmill (1974)

This should have been a stone cold classic: Caine in his early-70s pomp, Don Siegel directing, more gritty Harry Palmerisms. Caine holds the screen effortlessly (despite those ugly aviator specs he liked), but there’s something laborious about the spy-game thriller he’s been inserted into.

38. Harry Brown (2009)

Surprisingly impressive entry in the feral-council-estate-kids cycle of the mid-2000s, mostly due to Caine’s fervent commitment to the role as he transforms from realist-misery pensioner to creaky-limbed killing machine. It’s still bit of a Kipper’s revenge fantasy, though.

37. The Cider House Rules (1999)

Caine won his second Oscar (for best supporting actor) for this Lasse Hallström adaptation of John Irving’s novel; he plays the ether-addicted orphanage director (and secret abortionist) Wilbur Larch. Caine is very good (despite his customary wobbly accent), but the social politics of the movie have dated horribly.

36. The Statement (2003)

Caine at bay is always an impressive sight, and here he gives it up in spades as an on-the-run wartime collaborator, protected by secretive church organisations from assassins who are out to get revenge. A well-made, if fundamentally old-fashioned drama, the interesting historical background underpins good work from Caine.

35. Funeral in Berlin (1966)

Greenlighting a sequel to The Ipcress File was as easy as winking, and hiring Goldfinger’s director, Guy Hamilton, showed which way the producers wanted to go. Perhaps that explains why this Berlin-set spy game is a touch stodgier than its predecessor: Harry Palmer should be lighter on his feet than 007.

34. Batman Begins (2005)

Caine wouldn’t work with just anybody, you know: Nolan already had three features under his belt, and had directed Al Pacino. But Caine coming on board this Batman origins film was a real coup for the director, as well as re-engaging interest of a new generation of filmgoers for the actor. The butler role – another kindly tough-nut – didn’t take the actor to new areas, but it is probably the one that will define his late-phase career.

33. The Last Valley (1971)

Who can honestly see Caine – or Hollywood – making something like this again? A cast-of-thousands epic set during the thirty years’ war, with Caine as the captain of a band of ruthless mercenaries who take over an untouched rural backwater in 17th-century Germany. Worth it if only for the sight of Caine in a spiked war helmet.

32. Billion Dollar Brain (1967)

Caine wasn’t too keen on this third instalment in the Harry Palmer series, calling his suggestion to hire Ken Russell “a mistake”. Even if Russell never got around to outlining the actual plot too clearly, Caine is on good form, with all that trademark insolence present and correct.

31. Sweet Liberty (1986)

By the mid-80s Caine was firmly established as a top-notch ensemble player. Alan Alda’s slightly supercilious Hollywood comedy – in which Caine played a lothario film star – is a fine example of how Caine’s perfectly pitched charm could quietly dominate, even with high-grade performers such as Michelle Pfeiffer and Bob Hoskins on hand.

30. Miss Congeniality (2000)

Caine proved a good sport as Sandra Bullock’s beauty-pageant instructor in this cop thriller with radioactive levels of Bullock-patented perkiness. To his credit, Caine dials back the campness levels (lesser actors, no doubt, would have detonated the scale); it remains his most unlikely mentor-type role.

29. Blood and Wine (1996)

Caine’s career was at a low-ish ebb in the mid-90s, but this ensemble noir from Bob “Five Easy Pieces” Rafelson stands out. Sporting another dodgy tache, Caine is excellent in a small-but-key role as Jack Nicholson’s safe-cracking partner in crime, as they go after a diamond necklace. A fine showcase for Caine’s amoral-ruthless qualities.

28. Hurry Sundown (1967)

An interesting step away from the sardonic thrillers and swinging-60s material that had made Caine a star. A sweaty, deep-south melodrama for Hollywood heavyweight director Otto Preminger, Caine played a racist speculator trying to diddle sharecroppers out of their land. One of the first signs that Caine was aiming for something bigger.

27. Harry and Walter Go to New York (1976)

By the mid-70s Caine was looking past lead roles: in this Sting-inspired period comedy he is well down the bill but still highly memorable, with more recent stars James Caan and Elliot Gould in the marquee roles. Caan and Gould are con artists aiming to beat Caine’s lordly bankrobber to a heist; fun stuff.

26. Too Late the Hero (1970)

If one film shows that Caine really knew how to handle military grade weaponry, it’s this: a re-run by Robert Aldrich of his own hit movie The Dirty Dozen, about a British unit cut down fighting the Japanese in the Pacific islands. As the only survivor of a risky jungle mission (reflecting the current war in Vietnam), Caine channelled his own combat experience in Korea; he looks pretty convincing.

25. The Hand (1981)

In an attempt to reinvigorate his Hollywood career after its late 70s downturn, Caine tried a bit of horror – then a modish option for actors on the slide. Caine chose wisely: this creepy little number about a comic book illustrator whose severed hand becomes an unstoppable killing machine was Oliver Stone’s first Hollywood film as director.

24. Deadfall (1968)

Caine had already appeared in the cameo-stuffed The Wrong Box for director Bryan Forbes; two years later he was a bona fide leading man, and took the main role in Forbes’ arty caper thriller. Its sexual politics look a little crass today, but Caine’s heavy-lidded charm holds it together.

23. The Romantic Englishwoman (1975)

A somewhat forgotten entry in Joseph Losey’s canon, very much in the Antonioni style – lush, chilly interiors, moody set pieces and quizzical meditations on sex and the creative process. Caine brings conviction to his role as a novelist and husband to Glenda Jackson, who is contemplating having it away with a drug dealer in a Baden Baden spa hotel.

22. California Suite (1978)

No doubt feeling the pace of keeping a leading-man career going into its second decade, Caine’s participation in this Neil Simon ensemble piece was one of his first attempts to diversify. It allowed him to stretch and play against type. Here he is a gay antique dealer, in a marriage of convenience to Maggie Smith’s Oscar nominee, but unwilling to conceal his sexuality.

21. Children of Men (2006)

Caine had a small but vivid role in Alfonso Cuarón’s ambitious dystopian satire; again, very much against type as an ageing hippy and dope farmer. Caine apparently based his scruffy long-haired character on John Lennon and – almost unrecognisable – happily farts and sparks up a fat one.

20. Play Dirty (1968)

A war movie of quite extraordinary cynicism , in which the British higher-ups betray their own men to the Germans for strategic purposes; an anti-establishment broadside that suited Caine’s late-60s mood perfectly. He plays posh: an oil executive attached to a unit of irregulars operating behind enemy lines in the north African desert. A real gut punch of a movie.

19. Youth (2015)

If you can get past the male-gaze sleaziness of parts of Paolo Sorrentino’s melancholy fable, there’s a fine, wintry performance from Caine as an elderly composer spending time at a health spa for a check-up. As the title ironically indicates, this is all about the dying of the light, facing up to the end – and ruminating on the missed possibilities along the way.

18. Gambit (1966)

Like many of Caine’s 60s and 70s films, there’s a barrel-load of obsolescent cultural baggage to avert your eyes from – largely, in this case, stemming from the casting of Shirley MacLaine as a biracial showgirl called Nicole Chang. That said, this is otherwise a properly charming caper movie, with perceptible chemistry between him and MacLaine.

17. Little Voice (1998)

Caine largely swerved the Brit-cinema revival of the mid- and late-90s, but he did do this adaptation of Jim Cartwright’s stage hit about a painfully shy homebody with a fantastic singing voice. Caine, as her raddled manager Ray Say, is fine – until, that is, he is elevated to magnificence with Ray’s astounding onstage meltdown, belting out It’s Over and shouting obscenities at an unimpressed talent scout. Genuinely extraordinary.

16. The Honorary Consul (1983)

Caine’s credentials as a heavyweight dramatic actor began to emerge in the early 80s; this, along with Educating Rita, helped him make the transition. Caine is magnificent as Graham Greene’s alcoholic British diplomat, venal but remorseful as he grapples with his own failings.

15. Zulu (1964)

Caine’s casting in this, his first substantial film role, is the stuff of legend: called in to read for a working-class trooper, he emerged with the plum role of the officer-class Gonville Bromhead. Very much a passion project for the star, Stanley Baker, this heroic rendering of the battle of Rorke’s Drift has passed into Sunday teatime territory, even if many of its cultural assumptions look pretty shaky now. Caine made the most of the opportunity, though, in full damn-your-eyes mode.

14. The Eagle Has Landed (1976)

Of Caine’s vast back catalogue of second world war movies, this is probably the one that will endure. Adapted from a Jack Higgins novel, bearing a certain resemblance to Went the Day Well?, this has Caine as a sort-of good German leading a mission to infiltrate an English village and assassinate Churchill. It’s absorbing, well-crafted stuff, directed by John “The Great Escape” Sturges; Caine, as ever, finds a way to dominate the film through sheer power of performance.

13. Educating Rita (1983)

A real hit in the UK, this adaptation of Willy Russell’s stage play made a star of its female lead, Julie Walters, but also confirmed Caine’s transition to a dramatic actor of substance. As a character – a middle-aged, jaded alcoholic – Caine’s Open University prof is not all that different from the one in The Honorary Consul, released the same year; the narrative arc here is, however, rather more obviously redemptive and uplifting.

12. Sleuth (1972)

A con artist movie in all but name, this saw Caine very much hold his own opposite Laurence Olivier – both were nominated for the best actor Oscar – as a cocky hairdresser duelling with Olivier’s jealous crime writer over who can freak out the other most successfully. Caine clearly liked the two-hander format, chalking up a string of impressive examples over the years, but this is the first, and one of the best.

11. Last Orders (2001)

An unlikely subject for a film: a carload of grumpy old men taking the ashes of their dead friend to be scattered in Margate. From this, as explored in Graham Swift’s Booker prize-winning novel, writer-director Fred Schepisi wove an inexpressibly moving tapestry of memory and good fellowship, loyalty and thwarted hopes. Caine is the dead friend, seen (obviously) in flashback; his ability to lead even the strongest ensemble cast (which included Tom Courtenay, Helen Mirren, Ray Winstone and Bob Hoskins) was never bettered.

10. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

Another leftfield choice that showed Caine wasn’t afraid to take a chance: big stars didn’t do movies with puppets. This could easily have been a disaster, but Caine absolutely nails it as Scrooge; his customary total commitment to a role undeterred by the presence of Kermit, Miss Piggy and the rest. It’s the seriousness with which he takes it that’s the key: Caine said he would play it like Shakespeare, and he did.

9. The Italian Job (1969)

Of all the roles Caine played, you get the feeling he felt most personal kinship – at least in the early years as an actor – with Charlie Croker, the upstart bank robber whose overseas multimillion-pound heist is reconfigured by the film-makers as a reassertion of national pride and the revenge of the Little Englander in the age of vanishing empire. In some ways even more of a Kipper fantasy than Harry Brown, the compensation here is a tremendous sugar rush of entertainment.

8. Mona Lisa (1986)

Caine made one of his rare 80s forays back home to play third fiddle to Bob Hoskins and Cathy Tyson in Neil Jordan’s undeniably haunting thriller. Even if he isn’t the main man, the role he plays – icily sleazy pimp Mortwell – is thoroughly memorable in its sheer nastiness.

7. The Quiet American (2002)

With The Honorary Consul, Caine had proved he could do Graham Greene, and the mood of compromise and self-reproach that it entailed. He is even better in this one, an adaptation of Greene’s excoriation of American exceptionalism in south-east Asia (a theme that proved unpopular in the aftermath of the World Trade Center attacks, when the film was originally supposed to be released). Caine’s attention to detail as he summons up the mood of conflicted melancholy secured an Oscar nomination.

6. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)

Caine played a fair few charming upper-class rogues in his time – mostly for Hollywood, it has to be said – and this is arguably the best: a Riviera-based swindler who latches on to rich women and relieves them of their cash. The presence of Steve Martin as his partner/rival elevates this comedy to classic status and, if the twist ending with Glenne Headly isn’t exactly a surprise, it’s all beautifully managed.

5. The Ipcress File (1965)

This, more than Alfie, was the film that made Caine a star, and it is still absolutely terrific. Audiences got their first look at Caine’s deadpan, lizard-like charm, leavened with his then-modish street accent, which positioned him as a key player in the 60s culture wars. It also helps, of course, that it’s just a fantastically exciting thriller, with director Sidney J Furie going into overdrive; as well as being a stylistic counterpoint to the flashier Bond films, it’s also much less bloated.

4. Alfie (1966)

If Ipcress got Caine front and centre, Alfie was the film that came to define his onscreen persona, at least at first. As the blazer-wearing, permacheating roué of the title, Caine perfectly encapsulated the boundary-pushing moral mood of the time – though in truth, this is a film about the failures and bleakness of the permissive lifestyle. Caine might not have been an absolute natural in the role – Terence Stamp, who turned down the film after playing the part on stage, would possibly have been a little more so – but Caine’s slight awkwardness arguably makes for more interesting drama. And it’s hard to see how Caine’s confidence in the direct-address bits could have been better.

3. Get Carter (1971)

As the 70s dawned, Caine was incontrovertibly a big international star. His “coming home” to do a small-scale Brit gangster film was as much an event as Jack Carter heading back to Newcastle to sort out his brother’s killers. Conceived as a quantum leap forward in the way British organised crime was represented on screen – violent, nasty and businesslike – Get Carter emerged as a modern classic, with Caine a towering figure with a laser-like focus on getting the job done, both as a character and an actor.

2. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)

In retrospect, this looks like the first of a stream of pass-agg breakup notes Woody Allen was sending to Mia Farrow: Caine’s role, of a man so disgusted by Farrow’s niceness he has to go off and have an affair with someone in the immediate family, is a cleverly disguised Allen surrogate (given Allen is also in the film, playing a discontented TV writer). Notwithstanding the tsunami of bile that has swept over Allen since, this remains a richly observed drama, Chekhovian in its sweep and a testament to why Allen was (and still should be) regarded as a great film-maker. As ever making only the most perfunctory attempts to do the relevant accent, Caine’s ability to dredge vulnerability out of himself resulted in a quite extraordinary, even revelatory performance; for once, an Oscar no one could argue with.

1. The Man Who Would Be King (1975)

Characteristically for Caine, collaboration brings out his absolute best. His double act with Sean Connery, in roles originally intended for Clark Gable and Humphrey Bogart, is electrifying in absolutely the best way; this is arguably Connery’s career high, too. Who knows how the American actors would have played it, but with Caine on board it became another upstart fable, the put-upon worker drones managing – at first, at least – to outsmart the boss class to grab a little loot for themselves. Of course, The Man Who Would Be King is a near textbook example of be careful what you wish for; like The Italian Job, cliffs and gold play their part. There’s an extra resonance for contemporary audiences: this imperial-era study of the north-west frontier provides a lot of context for the current unrest in Afghanistan and Pakistan. (The naked racism on display, which undergoes a Kiplingesque modulation as the story progresses, is a similar eye-opener.) For Caine specifically, his screen charisma was never deployed better: crafty, resolute and empathetic.

The best of 'Ranked!'

Actors playing nightmarish versions of themselves in cinema - ranked! Michael Caine's best films - ranked! The 10 best Glenn Close movies - ranked! Tom Cruise - top 20 movies - ranked! Judi Dench - every film - ranked! Jane Fonda's 10 best films - ranked! Ryan Gosling movies - ranked! 10 best Hugh Grant films - ranked! Every Angelie Jolie film performance - ranked! Nicole Kidman’s top 10 films - ranked! The best and the worst Jennifer Lopez films - ranked! All Helen Mirren's 61 movies - ranked! Robert Redford's greatest screen roles - ranked! Winona Ryder's 20 best films - ranked! Movie Santa Clauses - ranked! Maggie Smith's 20 best films – ranked! Jason Statham - every film - ranked! Emma Thompson's best films - ranked!

Wes Anderson movies - ranked! The Coen brothers’ films - ranked! Stanley Kubrick's best films - ranked!

Movie genres

Biopics trashed by families, friends and fans - ranked! Purr evil: cats in movies with hidden agendas - ranked! Dog weepie movies - ranked! Top 20 J-horror films - ranked! Movies that have grossed more than $1bn - ranked! Palme d'Or winners - ranked! The scariest horror films ever - ranked! The best Shakespeare films - ranked! The 10 best movie shark performances - ranked! The best Stephen King movies  - ranked! From Trolls to Transformers: toy films – ranked! Worst holidays in cinema - ranked!

Studios & franchises

Aardman's 20 best films – ranked! James Bond on film – 007's best and worst movies - ranked! The 20 best Marvel films - ranked! Top 10 Merchant Ivory films - ranked! Pixar - every film ever made - ranked! Planet of the Apes - the best and worst of the movies - ranked! Star Wars - every film - ranked!

TV & award shows

The 20 best music documentaries - ranked! The weirdest Brits performances - ranked! Game of Thrones - every episode - ranked! Oscar nominees - the weirdest ever - ranked! Oscar snubs - the 20 greatest ever - ranked! The biggest Rock & Roll Hall of Fame snubs ever - ranked! Super Bowl half-time shows - the 10 greatest - ranked! The best X Factor finalists - ranked! From Niall Horan's toast to Russell Crowe’s jockstrap: celebrity auction items - ranked!

All Abba's UK singles - ranked! The Beatles' singles – ranked! Kate Bush – every UK single - ranked! Every one of Madonna's 78 singles - ranked! Missy Elliott's solo singles – ranked! Prince's 50 greatest singles – ranked! Queen's 50 UK singles - ranked! Taylor Swift's singles - ranked! The Who: their UK singles - ranked!

Black Sabbath - every album - ranked! David Byrne – (almost) all of his albums - ranked! Miles Davis's 20 greatest albums – ranked! Lil Wayne's albums - ranked! Every Mercury prize-winning album - ranked! Joni Mitchell's albums – ranked! The Rolling Stones – every album - ranked! 10 best Paul Simon albums - ranked! Bruce Springsteen's albums - ranked! Kanye West – every album - ranked! Stevie Wonder's albums - ranked!

20 greatest breakup songs ever - ranked! Aphex Twin's best songs - ranked! Barry Manilow – all his greatest songs - ranked! Björk – her 20 greatest songs ranked! Cher's 30 greatest songs - ranked! The 30 greatest Disney songs – ranked! Elton John's 50 greatest songs - ranked! From Drake to Wet Wet Wet: songs with 10 weeks at No 1 - ranked! From MC5 to Jeff Mills: the greatest Detroit tracks ever - ranked! PJ Harvey's 50 greatest songs – ranked! Giorgio Moroder's 20 greatest songs - ranked! Nirvana's 20 greatest songs - ranked! The best songs from teen movies - ranked! The best UK garage tracks - ranked! The greatest banned songs of all time - ranked! The greatest ever female rap tracks - ranked! The greatest pop music dance crazes - ranked! All 43 Spice Girls songs - ranked!

Artists & bands

The 30 best boyband members - ranked! The greatest Scottish indie bands - ranked! Quincy Jones's greatest ever moments - ranked!

• Michael Caine

Most viewed

• U.K. Showbiz
• Meghan Markle
• Jeremy Renner
• Taylor Swift
• Kim Kardashian

Very unlikely friends! Tom Cruise celebrates Sir Michael Caine's 90th birthday with likes of David Walliams and Denise Welch - after the Top Gun actor skipped out on the Oscars

By Kenzi Devine and Kate Dennett For Mailonline

Published: 21:57 EDT, 14 March 2023 | Updated: 09:09 EDT, 15 March 2023

View comments

Tom Cruise joined Sir Michael Caine to celebrate his 90th birthday alongside the likes of David Walliams and Denise Welch on Tuesday evening.

Comedian David, 51, took to Instagram to share snaps with acting legend Michael from inside his birthday celebrations at London's River Cafe.

Beaming for a slew of pictures together, the duo were also joined by Hollywood star Tom, 60, who wrapped his arm around Michael for one sweet snap.

Loose Women star, 64, was also among the group of unlikely celebrity pals who all flocked together to celebrate Michael's big day with a lavish meal out.

She took to her own Instagram page to share a grinning selfie of herself alongside The Italian Job star as she appeared to be at the same event as the group.

Unlikely friends! Tom Cruise joined Sir Michael Caine to celebrate his 90th birthday alongside the likes of David Walliams on Tuesday evening 

Pals: Denise Welch was also among the group of unlikely celebrity pals who all flocked together to celebrate Michael's big day with a lavish meal out

It comes just days after Tom decided to skip out on the star-studded Academy Award ceremony on Sunday, despite his smash hit Top Gun: Maverick being nominated for six awards, including the coveted Best Picture Award. 

It has since been revealed that he decided to give the Oscars a miss in order to avoid an 'awkward run-in with ex-wife Nicole Kidman', following their bitter divorce over 20 years ago.

Michael appeared to celebrate turning 90 with an intimate dinner - complete with an array of A-list guests and a chocolate birthday cake.

Sharing pictures from inside the meal, David and Tom both beamed from ear to ear - with the latter wrapping an arm around the birthday boy for one.

'Happy 90th Birthday to the legendary Sir Michael Caine,' shared David - who starred in 2021's Twist alongside Michael.

The trio were suited and booted for the occasion as the actor, known for his range of movies across the years, was joined by his long-term wife Shakira for the celebration.

Hollywood stars Tom and Michael have known each other for years after being pictured together in the 80s before both starring in 2002's spy movie Austin Powers in Goldmember.

Meanwhile, Denise cut a glamorous figure in a sparkling black gown as she took to Instagram to share a snap of herself wrapping her arms around Michael's neck.

Alongside the picture, she gushed: 'Happy 90th birthday Michael Caine!!! We love you.' 

She also shared an amusing video of herself telling a very rude joke at Michael's expense at the fun-filled dinner party, leaving Hollywood star Tom and other guests in absolute stitches.

In the clip, she quipped: 'Only the other morning, she said she heard a scream from downstairs, it was Michael shouting 'Shakira look, there's a parcel, my Olympic condoms have come.

'He said 'I'm going to wear the gold ones tonight', and she said 'why not wear the silver and c**e f**king second for a change'.'

As the camera panned around, Tom appeared to be weeping with laughter as he sat beside Michael, who appeared amused as he enjoyed his glass of red wine.

In a caption alongside the video, Denise joked that it appeared Hollywood star Tom likes a rude joke just as much as her friend Michael does.

She wrote: 'Such an honour to be asked by Shakira to say a few words at Sir Michael Caines' 90th birthday!!! He loves a dirty joke and so does @tomcruise it appears!!!! Great night and amazing company.'

Having a good time: Tom appeared in high spirits while celebrating the acting legend's birthday, wrapping an arm around him

Yum! Michael appeared to celebrate turning 90 with an intimate dinner - complete with A-list guests and a chocolate birthday cake

Amused: Denise an amusing video of herself telling a very rude joke at Michael's expense at the fun-filled dinner party, leaving Hollywood star Tom and other guests in absolute stitches

Connections: David starred in 2021's Twist alongside Michael and the pair appeared on the Jonathan Ross Show together back in 2018

Long time: Tom and Michael have known each other for years after both starring in 2002's spy movie Austin Powers in Goldmember (both pictured with Shakira and Rebecca De Mornay in 1983)  

Close: Denise and Michael were introduced by her husband Lincoln Townley after the artist painted the movie icon's portrait in 2016 (they are all pictured with Shakira Caine and Nikki) 

Sweet: Back in July, she dished on their close friendship, calling him 'wonderful' and a 'legend' (the friends are pictured in April 2022) 

Denise and Michael were introduced by her husband Lincoln Townley after the artist painted the movie icon's portrait in 2016.

Back in July,  she dished on their close friendship, calling him 'wonderful' and a 'legend' . 

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline while she attended the TRIC Awards, she said: 'Michael is a complete legend. I was very nervous of him when I first met him, he's a huge fan of my husband's work. I became very good friends with Shakira with his wife.

'We see them as regularly as possible and I adore him - it's my favorite shot in the world when I get papped with Michael Caine because I feel so cool!

'We don't seem to make movie stars like that anymore. He's just a legendary actor and he's just wonderful.' 

Elsewhere, Mia Farrow also took to social media to wish her pal Michael a happy birthday on Tuesday .

Posting an Instagram throwback of her and Michael at the 1979 People's Choice Awards, Mia looked back on the decades they have known each other.

Their friendship lasted through Mia's high-octane showbiz romances with such men as Frank Sinatra, André Previn and Woody Allen . 

Michael won his first Academy Award when he and Mia played a married couple in Woody's classic 1986 movie Hannah And Her Sisters. 

In her birthday post for Michael, she wrote: 'He once played my husband. Just such a lovely man. He introduced me to Woody for which i forgave him :).'

Mia, who at 78 is over a decade younger than Michael, slyly shared a bit of the birthday boy's romantic history, dishing: 'Back in the day , when I was married to her dad, Nancy Sinatra dated him. If they had married he'd have been my son in law.' 

Frank and Mia got married in Las Vegas in 1966, provoking a deluge of publicity and ridicule over the fact that he was 50 and she was all of 21.

The marriage eventually soured over her refusal to put him ahead of her career - he had her served with divorce papers on the set of Rosemary's Baby after he demanded she leave the picture during the shoot and she declined.

Showbiz pals: Meanwhile, Mia Farrow also took to social media to wish her pal Michael a happy birthday on Tuesday 

'Just such a lovely man': Posting an Instagram throwback of her and Michael at the 1979 People's Choice Awards, Mia looked back on the decades they have known each other

Giving it a miss: And it comes just days after Tom decided to skip out on the star-studded Academy Award ceremony on Sunday, despite his smash hit Top Gun: Maverick being nominated for six awards, including the coveted Best Picture Award

Happier times:It has since been revealed that he decided to give the Oscars a miss in order to avoid an 'awkward run-in with ex-wife Nicole Kidman', following their bitter divorce over 20 years ago (pictured in 1992)

While Tom appeared happy to celebrate Michael's birthday in the UK, he appeared less keen to get suited and booted for the biggest night in film over the weekend. 

A source told DailyMail.com that his reasoning for not attending was simply because his ex Nicola was.

'Tom was not there because she was there, and he did not want a run-in,' said the source.

However, sources close to Tom claimed his absence was 'not personal' and was nothing more than scheduling difficulties, though they did not reply specifically to the claim that it was connected to Kidman's presence. 

The former couple split in 2001, reportedly due to her refusal to join him in the Church of Scientology .  Tom and his ex-wife have not been present at the same Oscars bashes this year and haven't been seen at the same event for years.

Nicole walked the Oscars red carpet with her country singer husband Keith Urban, 55, before packing on serious PDA during the show.

But she was notably absent from Oscars luncheon a month prior, which was attended by her Scientologist ex Tom. 

Nicole adopted two children Isabella and Connor, now 30 and 28, with Tom during their relationship - with many reports circulating since that she has a rocky relationship with them now.

Picture perfect: Nicole walked the Oscars red carpet with her country singer husband Keith Urban, 55, before packing on serious PDA during the show

Share or comment on this article: Tom Cruise celebrates Sir Michael Caine's 90th birthday after skipping out on the Oscars

• 7.8k shares

Most watched News videos

• Circus acts in war torn Ukraine go wrong in un-BEAR-able ways
• Elephant returns toddler's shoe after it falls into zoo enclosure
• Pro-Palestine protester shouts 'we don't like white people' at UCLA
• Fiona Beal dances in front of pupils months before killing her lover
• Commuters evacuate King's Cross station as smoke fills the air
• Humza Yousaf officially resigns as First Minister of Scotland
• Shocking moment gunman allegedly shoots and kills Iraqi influencer
• Jewish man is threatened by a group of four men in north London
• Moment £21,000 Ukrainian drone knocks out £6m Russian radar system
• Shocking moment group of yobs kill family's peacock with slingshot
• Pro-Palestinian protesters are arrested by police at Virginia Tech

• Follow DailyMail
• Subscribe Daily Mail
• Follow @dailymail
• Follow MailOnline
• Follow Daily Mail

• Today's headlines

• MORE HEADLINES
• Tech billionaire's 16-year-old daughter Mint Butterfield is found in the back of a white van one week after she vanished in crime and drug ridden district of Dem-run city
• Colorado mom Suzanne Morphew's cause of death revealed in shocking autopsy four years after she went missing
• Tiny picturesque town Littleton, NH, tears itself apart over 'subversive messaging' in LGBT murals painted on the side of a main street apartments: 'I don't want them here'
• Why Nashville locals are furious over the influx of wealthy residents as companies like Oracle rush to Tennessee
• Wealthy white Louisiana residents win right to form their own city and split from poorer black neighborhoods in landmark court ruling after a 10-year battle
• Mom shopping in Target stunned by small print on Clorox wipes
• Kate and William share unseen wedding portrait: Prince and Princess of Wales release stunning picture to mark their 13th wedding anniversary
• Dramatic moment SWAT rams house with a huge TANK and launch raid after three US Marshals were shot dead and five cops injured in bloody standoff with gunman: Gunman killed as boy, 17, and woman arrested
• NY District Attorney Sandra Doorley who was caught speeding and berating cops releases groveling apology after being busted on bodycam
• Who furious Caitlyn Jenner flipped off... ultra-tan Chris Pine's humiliating snub... and luscious Lynda Carter's shameless flirting: KENNEDY reveals the riotous unseen secrets of the White House Correspondents' Dinner
• Chilling warning to America: Anti-Taliban resistance leader warns terror attack on US soil is a 'matter of when, not if'
• Horrifying moment Ecuadorian beauty queen, 23, is gunned down by assassins in a restaurant months after she was 'discussed by drug traffickers in secret chat'
• Beloved firefighter, 36, dies from a heart attack just weeks after being fired in huge budget cuts to fund controversial migrant shelters - as his family is left with nothing
• REVEALED: NY Times best dressed at White House Correspondents' Dinner… and a DailyMail.com favorite tops the list
• Under fire Fani Willis mysteriously SKIPS Fulton County DA debate leaving challenger awkwardly talking to an empty podium
• Harry and Meghan's royal tour in all but name: Experts say Sussexes want their own 'rival royal roadshow' with their unofficial trip to Nigeria, as they accuse couple of trying to 'have their cake and eat it' by 'exploiting' Palace connections
• I'm a former Disney cast member - here are three things I'm NEVER going to do when I visit the theme parks
• 'America's worst mayor' Tiffany Henyard dropped by law firm that's representing her against mounting lawsuits: 'She's not been paying us!'
• Jerry Seinfeld says 'extreme left' politically correct mob has killed comedy
• Justin Bieber fans fear singer's social media crying selfies meltdown is linked to his childhood friendship with scandal-hit US rapper P-Diddy who is under investigation for sex trafficking
• I know who killed Jill Dando, says her Crimewatch co-host Nick Ross - and this is why I think Barry George should NEVER have been released
• Victim in horror DUI crash that killed two boys aged eight and five breaks her silence and speaks about horrifying incident that left 15 others injured moments after singing 'Happy Birthday
• Star witness and MMA fighter who tried to intervene in George Floyd's killing reaches $150K settlement with city over his PTSD
• At least 100 wedding guests are 'poisoned' from eating dessert as footage shows them violently ill at banquet before being taken away in ambulances
• Thug, 22, who imprisoned Tinder date and strangled her during terrifying two-hour ordeal in her own flat breaks down in tears as he is jailed
• 'Get out, or you're suspended': Columbia University finally gives Gaza protesters deadline after failing to 'meet agreement' after days of negotiations
• Yellowstone actor Cole Brings Plenty had a months-long fling with woman, 20, who accused him of strangling her days before he was found dead
• Minnesota state senator and Air Force vet Nicole Mitchell facing burglary charges is stripped of committee assignments as she resists calls for her resignation
• MOST READ IN DETAIL

• Back to top

Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd

Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group

Michael Caine

The best muppets christmas specials, ranked.

The Muppets have celebrated Christmas with holiday specials for decades. Here are the best ones, ranked.

Michael Caine's 11 Best Movies, Since Turning 80 Years Old

Since turning 80 years old a decade ago, Michael Caine has made 21 movies. In celebration of his retirement from acting, let's look at the best.

Michael Caine Announces Acting Retirement: "You Don’t Have Leading Men at 90"

Academy Award-winning actor Michael Caine has announced his retirement following a role in Oliver Parker's The Great Escaper.

Best Michael Caine Movies, Ranked

Michael Caine’s career in the film industry has been quite the legacy and is going nearly seven decades strong. Let's look at some of his best.

Michael Caine Talks Retirement & How He Wants to Be Remembered

The Dark Knight star Michael Caine teases his retirement, and it could be sooner than expected.

Michael Caine’s 20 Best Movies, Ranked by Rotten Tomatoes

Michael Caine is one of the best actors in the industry. Here are his best movies, ranked by Rotten Tomatoes.

Sir Michael Parkinson Passes Away at the Age of 88

Chat show icon Sir Michael Parkinson has sadly passed away after a brief illness.

Tom Cruise Helps Michael Caine Celebrate His 90th Birthday

Tom Cruise helped Michael Caine celebrate his special day.

Michael Caine Slams Report Suggesting His Zulu Movie Could Incite Extremism

Michael Caine addressed claims that his 1964 movie Zulu could incite far-right terrorism.

Why the Escape to Victory Remake Could be the Ultimate Soccer Movie

While the 1981's Escape to Victory was decent, will the remake top it?

IMDb Study Names Whoopi Goldberg as Best-Performing Actor

Whoopi Goldberg, Leonardo DiCapario, and Zendaya lead the study based on their average IMDb scores with some rather surprising names at the bottom.

Michael Caine Clears Up Retirement Rumors: I Haven't Retired

Michael Caine took to his social media to elaborate on comments made during a BBC podcast that he was no longer an actor.

Sir Michael Caine Steps Back from Acting to Focus on Writing

Michael Caine says his latest movie Best Sellers has turned out to be his last part as he switches his focus to writing.

Best Sellers Review: Michael Caine & Aubrey Plaza Hit the Road

A desperate publisher (Aubrey Plaza) forces a cantankerous writer (Michael Caine) on a book tour in Best Sellers.

Best Sellers Trailer Has Aubrey Plaza and Michael Caine Trading Sick Burns

The salty pair begrudgingly join up to save his writing career and her father's flailing publishing company Best Sellers.

Helen Mirren & Vin Diesel Agree: Michael Caine Should Join the Fast & Furious Family

Helen Mirren believes that Michael Caine would make the perfect addition to the Shaw family in future Fast & Furious sequels.

Twist Review: An Awful Gen Z Update of the Charles Dickens Classic

A freerunner graffiti artist (Rafferty Law) joins a gang of thieves in London. Also starring Michael Caine, Lena Headey, and Rita Ora.

Michael Caine May Join the Fast & Furious Family Teases Vin Diesel

F9 star Vin Diesel wants Sir Michael Caine to join the Fast & Furious family, and thinks he's found a way to do it.

It's Sir Michael Caine's 88th Birthday and Fans Are Paying Tribute to the Iconic Actor

Fans everywhere are paying tribute to Sir Michael Caine in honor of the acting legend's 88th birthday.

Tenet Is the 'Best Action Film Ever' According to Star Michael Caine

Michael Caine declares Tenet the greatest action film ever made.

Michael Caine Announces Retirement From Acting, Says He Can't Beat 'The Great Escaper' Hype

The 90-year-old shared the news Saturday on BBC Radio 4's 'Best of Today' show.

Michael Caine  says he's retiring from acting, and this time for good.

The 90-year-old hopped on BBC Radio 4's Best of Today show Saturday and shared he's leaving Hollywood at precisely this moment because he says there's no way to beat the hype surrounding his latest -- and final -- project, The Great Escaper , a film he said he initially turned down three times.

"I kept saying I'm gonna retire. Well, I am now because I figure I've had a picture where I've played the lead, and it's got incredible reviews," said Caine in reference of The Great Escaper . "The only parts I'm likely to get now are old men, 90-year-old men. Well, maybe 85, you know? And I thought, 'Well, I might as well leave with all this. I've got wonderful reviews. What am I gonna do to beat this?'"

Caine stars in the Oliver Parker-directed film based on a true story about a British World War II veteran who snuck out of his nursing home in 2014 to travel to France for an event commemorating D-Day. 

The film's also responsible for the two-time Oscar winner's first red carpet appearance in two years back in September. The renowned nonagenarian posed for photos on the red carpet at the premiere in London, England. Caine -- who walked with the use of a cane -- sat in a chair on the carpet as he smiled for photos.

Wearing a dark blue blazer and light blue button-down, along with black slacks and black loafers, Caine looked dapper and classy as ever in his rare public appearance. Caine also later posed with the cast, who crowded around him as he sat and beamed for snapshots.

Caine, who in March celebrated his 90th birthday with Tom Cruise, made headlines some two years ago when he went on BBC Radio's  Kermode and Mayo’s Film Review  and implied he was retiring from acting due to health problems.

"Funnily enough, it has turned out to be my last part, really, because I haven't worked for two years," he said of his role in Best Sellers , adding, "And I have a spine problem which affects my leg, so I can’t walk very well."

He later clarified to Variety  that he was not retiring.

"Regarding retirement, I've spent over 50 years getting up at 6 a.m. to make movies, and I'm not getting rid of my alarm clock!" he said in a statement to the outlet.

If The Great Escaper  indeed becomes his final film, Caine's storied career will have spanned eight decades with more than 175 acting credits to his name. He's been nominated for six Academy Awards, winning two for Best Supporting Actor in 1986 ( Hannah and Her Sisters ) and 1999 ( The Cider House Rules ). He was nominated for Best Actor in 1966 ( Alfie ), 1972, ( Sleuth ), 1983 ( Educating Rita ) and 2022 ( The Quiet American ).

The three-time Golden Globe winner also holds the distinction of being one of only five male actors to have earned Oscar nominations in five different decades. He's cultivated a legion of fans that transcends generations, with appearances in popular films such as The Muppet Christmas Carol ,  Austin Powers in Goldmember , Inception , Kingsman: The Secret Service and The Dark Knight .

For his immense contribution to cinema, Caine was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2000. 

RELATED CONTENT:

Michael Caine, 90, Makes Red Carpet Appearance for 1st Time in 2 Years

Tom Cruise Attends Michael Caine's 90th Birthday Celebration: Pics!

'The Muppet Christmas Carol' Turns 30: On Set With Michael Caine, Kermit, Gonzo and More (Flashback)

• Michael Caine

Updates on Celebrity News, TV, Fashion and More!

Screen Rant

Michael caine hated filming 1 war movie so much it inspired a rule he only broke once more.

In his autobiography, legendary actor Sir Michael Caine recounts an absurdly troubled film production that led to a golden rule in his career.

• Almería nightmare motivated Sir Michael Caine's strict no-work clause for terrible movie locations.
• Classic actor's autobiography recounts horrible filming experiences like "Play Dirty" production in Almería.
• Caine broke his own bad movie rule freezing himself in Alaska for awful Steven Seagal film in the '90s.

Sir Michael Caine is one of the most respected actors ever to star in films, and his autobiography depicts a dreadful movie shooting experience that led to a personal contract rule in his career. To modern audiences, Michael Caine can be recognized best as one of Christopher Nolan's most frequent collaborators , having played vital roles in iconic movies like The Dark Knight , Interstellar , and Inception . However, the 91-year-old actor has worked in the industry since 1950, appearing in over 130 films before announcing his retirement in 2023.

While the British actor has had hits in the 21st century, many of Michael Caine's best movies date back to the 1960s and '70s, including classics like The Man Who Would Be King and The Italian Job . His timeless work as a character actor and star has solidified him as one of the greatest actors of all time , though every great actor has their duds. For Sir Michael Caine, the 1969 war film Play Dirty was one of those duds, as it was released to a mixed response and was regarded as a terrible filming experience.

Michael Caine's Play Dirty Inspired A Clause In His Movie Contracts

The play dirty production was so bad he added a contract clause to not work in almería.

Play Dirty was a World War II adventure movie that followed Caine as Captain Douglas, an oil executive turned soldier who leads a team to destroy a Nazi fuel depot in North Africa. The film was shot in Almería, Spain, which was apparently such an awful experience that Caine added a clause to his future movie contracts stating he would not work there again . Vowing to never work in an entire region is a serious claim, and his detailed account in his autobiography Raising Caine explains why:

"There are six sand dunes in Almeria... We'd all come round the hill chasing Rommel's tanks - and there's horse shit all over the desert and a stagecoach in the other directions being chased by Indians. The other film units were forever wiping out tank tracks to get their westerns and we were forever shovelling up horse shit and wiping out hoof prints to get our El Alamein."

He further explained the absurd situation in his autobiography What It's All About... , adding, "Sometimes people ask me why films cost so much, and I have often been tempted to tell them these stories. Unbelievable they may seem, but I swear they are all true." There have been plenty of great movies with horrific productions , including all-time classics like Apocalypse Now and Star Wars , but it seems more worth it when the end result is a fantastic work of art.

Every Christopher Nolan & Michael Caine Movie Ranked From Worst To Best

The 1990s action movie that made him break his rule (and why), the '90s saw michael caine in a desperate slump, causing him to break his bad movie rule.

Michael Caine never returned to Almería, but he did establish "the cardinal rules of bad movies: if you're going to do a bad movie, at least do it in a great location." In an excerpt for Daily Mail , Caine chronicled a slump in his career while he awaited a good script. He eventually caved on a lousy Steven Seagal script for the movie On Deadly Ground , where he declared that he broke his rule by shooting a bad movie in a poor filming location, freezing himself in Alaska for the '90s action movie.

Sources: Daily Mail

Tom Cruise Doesn't Really Do Sequels Very Often, But There's Apparently One Movie His Co-Star Was Shocked Didn't Get A Follow-up

"He did bite me at the end..."

Unless we are talking about Mission: Impossible – M:I 8 is currently filming or the long-delayed Top Gun : Maverick – Tom Cruise isn’t known for making very many sequels to his flicks. But, according to one former cast member, there is one film in his oeuvre that he is shocked never got a follow-up. The former cast member in question is Christian Slater , who co-starred along with Cruise and Brad Pitt in one of the best films of the 90s , the film adaptation of Anne Rice’s novel Interview With The Vampire . According to the Heathers alum, he’s shocked that he and the Risky Business star never got a second bite at the neck, playing a vampire in a sequel.

Christian Slater Reflects on The Missed Sequel Opportunity

It's hard to believe it's been nearly three decades–the movie turns 30 this year–since we were first mesmerized by one of the most iconic vampire performances on screen. In an interview shared on Comicbook.com’s Chris Killian’s Instagram , Christian Slater discussed how he and Cruise were reflecting on the project. The pair expressed a mutual astonishment over the movie's lack of a sequel despite their roles becoming fan favorites. He recounted:

Tom Cruise and I were both surprised that Interview With The Vampire didn’t get a sequel. You know, that would have been fun. Uh, I mean, he did bite me at the end of that thing.

For my money, even three decades since its release, Interview With The Vampire is still one of the best vampire movies ever committed to celluloid. Upon release, it was a critical and financial success, becoming one of the highest-grossing R-rated horror films of 1994, and grew to become a goth cult favorite. Not to mention, it introduced the broader world to actress Kirsten Dunst , a role Cruise helped the young actress secure thanks to some very practical advice.

The Enduring Legacy of 'Interview With the Vampire'

Tom Cruise's electrifying turn as the vampire Lestat was central to the film’s success. Initially, Anne Rice, the source material's author, hated Cruise’s casting in the role. However, his performance won her over and helped cement the film's place in cinematic history. Despite this success and the buzz around it, plans to continue Lestat's story with Cruise in a sequel never came to fruition. While the potential for a direct follow-up to this beloved film sparked plenty of discussions, ultimately, those plans remained just out of reach, leaving fans to wonder what might have been.

There was anticipation over a sequel starring the Top Gun A-lister, yet various factors, including rights issues, changes in production companies, and creative decisions, led to a different path for the book to screen adaptations of Rice's novels.

The next film in the series, Queen of the Damned, starring the late singer and actress Aaliyah , was released in 2002, but it did not involve Tom Cruise. Instead, Stuart Townsend took over the role of Lestat. The film combined elements from the second and third books of Rice's series, The Vampire Lestat and Queen of the Damned . Still, it diverged significantly from the source material and did not continue directly from where Interview left off.

Interview With The Vampire is enjoying a second adaptation and return to screens as a television series, which is gearing up for its second season on AMC .

CINEMABLEND NEWSLETTER

Your Daily Blend of Entertainment News

The Possibility Of A Sequel With Cruise

The ending of Interview with the Vampire set the stage perfectly for a sequel. It left audiences reeling from its final twist and introduced a new narrative thread with Daniel, the San Francisco reporter who becomes enthralled with Louis's tale of the undead. As Christian Slater hinted in the recent interview, the setup was ideal for a follow-up. Yet, despite the ripe storytelling potential, a direct continuation wasn't in the cards. Could a sequel with Cruise still happen? As the interviewers and Slater point out, Tom Cruise barely looks like he's aged since the last time he put on the Vampire Lestat's fangs. So, never say never.

Christian Slater's most recent work, another book adaptation, the series The Spiderwick Chronicles , is available now for free on The Roku Channel . Be sure to check out our 2024 movie schedule to see what upcoming horror movies are heading to a screen near you.

Ryan graduated from Missouri State University with a BA in English/Creative Writing. An expert in all things horror, Ryan enjoys covering a wide variety of topics. He's also a lifelong comic book fan and an avid watcher of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. 

Shots Fired At Chris Hemsworth! See Emily Blunt And Ryan Gosling Hilariously Roast The Thor Actor While Talking About Filming Fall Guy In Australia

10 Best Ozzy Osbourne Movie And TV Appearances

90 Day Fiancé: Love In Paradise's Kyle And Anika Had Their First Date, And I'm Already Spotting Red Flags

Most Popular

• 2 Watch Stranger Things' Maya Hawke Get Terrified By A Demogorgon (But Not In The Way You'd Think)
• 3 As HBO's We're Here Returns For Season 4, New Drag Queen Stars Tell Us What The Title Means To Them: 'It's A Declaration'
• 4 10 Best Ozzy Osbourne Movie And TV Appearances
• 5 Pixar’s Finding Nemo’s Heartbreaking Opening Scene Was Almost Completely Different, And I’m Glad They Made The Change They Did