Sir Michael Caine has confirmed he has retired from acting.
The veteran British actor, 90, confirmed his decision on Friday, following a stellar career spanning seven decades and days after the release of his latest film, The Great Escaper.
Sir Michael – who has starred in over 180 movies – explained his decision came after he concluded that ‘you don’t have leading men at 90.’
Confirming the news, the beloved thespian told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: ‘I keep saying I’m going to retire. Well I am now.’
‘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?’
Legend! Sir Michael Caine, 90, has confirmed he has retired from acting
The Oscar, Golden Globe and Bafta-winning actor has an extensive filmography, including classic films ranging from Zulu and The Italian Job to more recently in Interstellar and The Dark Knight franchise, alongside Christian Bale.
In his final movie, The Great Escaper which was released on October 6, he plays real-life World War Two veteran Bernie Jordan who escaped from a care home to attend D-Day celebrations in France.
Speaking about his decision to hang up his boots, Sir Michael – who has been using a walking stick for five years after a fall on ice and spinal surgery – said: ‘The only parts I’m liable to get now are 90-year-old men. Or maybe 85.
‘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.’
Sir Michael revealed he had turned down appearing in the film three times before accepting the role, because he considered himself retired.
He stars alongside Glenda Jackson, who died in June after the completion of the film.
Sir Michael’s announcement comes a month before his novel Deadly Game is scheduled for release.
The book follows the adventures of DCI Harry Taylor, a detective with no respect for red tape or political reputations.
Sir Michael said in June: ‘It’s been my ambition for years to write a thriller. 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.’
His announcement comes after Sir Michael revealed the secret to a long, happy life is to marry a younger woman, stop eating between meals – and wear trainers.
In an interview with The Mail on Sunday’s You Magazine, Sir Michael said his advice for longevity is ‘younger wives, no snacking and wearing trainers all the time – and you have to be careful not to fall down’.
He married model Shakira Baksh in 1973 after seeing her in a TV advert and tracking her down. She was 26 and he was 40.
They have a daughter Natasha and three grandchildren he says also help to keep him youthful, adding: ‘You want to live forever to see what they do with their lives.’
