All great legacies must come to an end. After over 6 decades in the industry, multiple Oscar-winning actor Michael Caine has announced his most recent film Best Sellers (which released in theaters on September 17th) will be his final film.
The 88-year-old actor announced his retirement while speaking with Kermode and Mayo on the BBC Radio program, Caine explained his decision to move away from acting. He cited several reasons, both related to the grueling schedule of acting and an injury he sustained awhile back:
"Funnily enough, it has turned out to be what is my last part really. Because I haven’t worked for two years, and I have a spine problem which affects my legs so I can’t walk very well, so… And I also wrote a book, a couple of books, which were published and were successful, so I’m now not an actor, I’m a writer. Which is lovely, because as an actor you have to get up at half past six in the morning and go to the studio. As a writer, you start writing without leaving the bed!
I think it would be [my last picture], yeah. There haven’t been any offers honestly for two years, because nobody’s been making any movies I wanna do. Also, you know I’m 88. There’s not exactly scripts pouring out with a leading man that’s 88, you know?"
In recent years, Caine has become a successful author with such novels as the 2018 book Blowing the Bloody Doors Off: And Other Lessons in Life. His decision to focus on writing clearly is what's best for him on many levels. Still, it is the end of a lifetime of memorable roles that saw Caine ultimately pick up two Oscars over the years and becoming one of the most recognized actors of all-time. Good night, you prince of Maine, you king of New England. We look forward to whatever written works you bless us with. Stay tuned!
Well deserved.