Actor Michael Caine announces his retirement after 70 years on screen

Actor Michael Caine, icon of British cinema, announced on Saturday that he was retiring at the age of 90 after a acclaimed performance in a final film, The Great Escaper, which concludes seven decades on the screens.

From the manipulative character of the Hound to the lying scientist of Interstellar to Batman's butler, he has appeared in more than 160 films. He received a total of six Oscar nominations, and won a statuette for Woody Allen's Hannah and Her Sisters in 1986 and then in 2000 for God's Work, The Devil's Part. “I keep saying I’m going to retire. Well it is now," he told BBC Radio 4. "I said to myself that I have just made a film in which I played the lead role and for which I received amazing reviews… What am I going to do that’s going to beat that?” he explained.

The Great Escaper, released on October 6 in the United Kingdom, tells the true story of World War II veteran Bernie Jordan, who escaped from his retirement home to attend the 70th anniversary of the D-Day ceremonies. from 1944 in France. His performance was praised in this film, where he co-starred with Glenda Jackson who died in June at the age of 87. “The only roles I can be given now are 90-year-old men. Or maybe 85 years old,” he confided. “They won’t be leading roles. There are no main actors at 90 years old, there are attractive young boys and girls. So I said to myself that it was better that I leave.”

Maurice Joseph Micklewhite was born on March 14, 1933 in south London, in a poor environment. Looking for a stage name, he discovered the poster for the film Hurricane on the Caine and adopted the name of the boat as a pseudonym in 1954. This tireless actor, known for his "cockney" accent among the working classes of London but collector of Rolls Royce , was one of the first figures in the world of culture to speak out in favor of Brexit in 2016. “Sir Michael” was knighted by Elizabeth II in 2000.