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278 Notable Quotes By Sir Michael Caine, The Author Of The Elephant To Hollywood

Famous As: Actor
Born On: March 14, 1933
Born In: London, England, United Kingdom
Age: 90 Years

Veteran actor, producer and author, Sir Michael Caine, has earned Oscar nomination in every decade since he began acting in the 1960s. He has acted in over hundred movies over the past seven decades, and has also written guide books, memoirs, and trivia books. He is known for his very vocal support for the Conservative party and his public criticism of high income-tax rates introduced by the Labour government, which had even prompted him to leave Britain for the US. He has often talked to the media about the views and ideologies he supports, which is the primary source of the quotes collected below. Apart from acting, writing and movies, he has touched on themes like life lessons, dreams, and regrets.

My circle of friends are not actors at all. None of them are actors, really, because they're are not available. They're always off somewhere.

My circle of friends are not actors at all. None of them are actors, really, because they're are not available. They're always off somewhere.

Sir Michael Caine
When you're a young actor you ring your agent every evening. It's not like when you're in Hollywood where you do one picture a year. You just hope you get a day on television.

When you're a young actor you ring your agent every evening. It's not like when you're in Hollywood where you do one picture a year. You just hope you get a day on television.

Sir Michael Caine
I need a challenge 'cause I don't get the girl anymore.

I need a challenge 'cause I don't get the girl anymore.

Sir Michael Caine
I just try to play more and more difficult roles.

I just try to play more and more difficult roles.

Sir Michael Caine
I just work in order to improve myself as an actor which is what I've always done.

I just work in order to improve myself as an actor which is what I've always done.

Sir Michael Caine
I've never taken drugs - if you take a drug of your choice, you get some ecstatic feeling.

I've never taken drugs - if you take a drug of your choice, you get some ecstatic feeling.

Sir Michael Caine
I'm very, very family oriented. I'm a big cook and a good connoisseur and I only drink very good red wines now.

I'm very, very family oriented. I'm a big cook and a good connoisseur and I only drink very good red wines now.

Sir Michael Caine
If you're a leading actor you don't work with another actor. You work with a lady.

If you're a leading actor you don't work with another actor. You work with a lady.

Sir Michael Caine
If you're a gardener you don't need a gym. [...] You're always carrying large sacks of manure all over.

If you're a gardener you don't need a gym. [...] You're always carrying large sacks of manure all over.

Sir Michael Caine
In my day, the drug was alcohol and the weapon was a fist, so it was very sort of innocent and primitive. Now you've got drugs, guns, and knives, which are so lethal.

In my day, the drug was alcohol and the weapon was a fist, so it was very sort of innocent and primitive. Now you've got drugs, guns, and knives, which are so lethal.

Sir Michael Caine
We should vote for the welfare of the country, not for the welfare of the party.

We should vote for the welfare of the country, not for the welfare of the party.

Sir Michael Caine
Nobody's a criminal to himself. I never play a criminal like a bad person.

Nobody's a criminal to himself. I never play a criminal like a bad person.

Sir Michael Caine
If I see any injustice done, I have a big enough mouth and the position to open up about it.

If I see any injustice done, I have a big enough mouth and the position to open up about it.

Sir Michael Caine
I'm not a betting man, and even if I was, I certainly wouldn't bet on this! I would not bet on the Best Actor.

I'm not a betting man, and even if I was, I certainly wouldn't bet on this! I would not bet on the Best Actor.

Sir Michael Caine
I don't want to be an English actor doing the greatest American accent you've ever heard. I want to be an American doing nothing.

I don't want to be an English actor doing the greatest American accent you've ever heard. I want to be an American doing nothing.

Sir Michael Caine
Since I was 19, I've had the most fun possible every single day, even when I had a rough life. It was the army which taught me about life, and the theater which taught me how good it could be.

Since I was 19, I've had the most fun possible every single day, even when I had a rough life. It was the army which taught me about life, and the theater which taught me how good it could be.

Sir Michael Caine
That to me is what my idea of film acting should be. There shouldn't be any acting. You should just be watching a real person.

That to me is what my idea of film acting should be. There shouldn't be any acting. You should just be watching a real person.

Sir Michael Caine
I spent my entire time reading books and going to the cinema, just to escape.

I spent my entire time reading books and going to the cinema, just to escape.

Sir Michael Caine
I think it would be great for the Academy to recognize old age.

I think it would be great for the Academy to recognize old age.

Sir Michael Caine
There are loads of black actors.You can't say: I'm going to vote for him, he's not very good but he's black, [so] I'll vote for him. You've got to give a good performance.

There are loads of black actors.You can't say: I'm going to vote for him, he's not very good but he's black, [so] I'll vote for him. You've got to give a good performance.

Sir Michael Caine
In real life, I'm afraid of heights - and people who get moral convictions... Adolf Hitler in London.

In real life, I'm afraid of heights - and people who get moral convictions... Adolf Hitler in London.

Sir Michael Caine
I learn the whole time. I think it would be dull if I thought I was going to work and wouldn't find something new. We always learn.

I learn the whole time. I think it would be dull if I thought I was going to work and wouldn't find something new. We always learn.

Sir Michael Caine
I spent my life in the library reading books.

I spent my life in the library reading books.

Sir Michael Caine
I'm the happiest grandfather in the world, I promise you.

I'm the happiest grandfather in the world, I promise you.

Sir Michael Caine
No English director would've cast me as an officer, I promise you. Not one.

No English director would've cast me as an officer, I promise you. Not one.

Sir Michael Caine
People say to me, why did you do those films, and I say, for money. It wasn't for diamond rings or kidney shaped swimming pools in Beverly Hills, it was in order to improve the lot of everyone around me.

People say to me, why did you do those films, and I say, for money. It wasn't for diamond rings or kidney shaped swimming pools in Beverly Hills, it was in order to improve the lot of everyone around me.

Sir Michael Caine
I've been in every disco in the world. I saw a picture of my wife Shakira and I dancing in Studio 54; I didn't even know someone had taken that picture.

I've been in every disco in the world. I saw a picture of my wife Shakira and I dancing in Studio 54; I didn't even know someone had taken that picture.

Sir Michael Caine
When I was a young actor I was in a lot of film doing one day work and two days' work, and they've included all those titles, which I don't even remember. I think I've played the lead in about 75 movies.

When I was a young actor I was in a lot of film doing one day work and two days' work, and they've included all those titles, which I don't even remember. I think I've played the lead in about 75 movies.

Sir Michael Caine
If you put someone on screen long enough, they become the hero.

If you put someone on screen long enough, they become the hero.

Sir Michael Caine
One of the great things with comedy is that there's no such thing as a mediocre comedy; it's either uproarious or crap. That's the problem.

One of the great things with comedy is that there's no such thing as a mediocre comedy; it's either uproarious or crap. That's the problem.

Sir Michael Caine
I have enough money not to do pictures ever. I'm seventy years old. I don't want to get up at 6:30 in the morning and learn ten pages of dialogue to do with a bunch of creeps I don't like. It's gotta be fun for me.

I have enough money not to do pictures ever. I'm seventy years old. I don't want to get up at 6:30 in the morning and learn ten pages of dialogue to do with a bunch of creeps I don't like. It's gotta be fun for me.

Sir Michael Caine
When you're a movie star and you're young, you are always playing someone who's a better fighter, a better lover, a better everything than you.

When you're a movie star and you're young, you are always playing someone who's a better fighter, a better lover, a better everything than you.

Sir Michael Caine
To disappear your complete self into a character is quite difficult. I've tried it 85 times, and I've succeeded two or three times.

To disappear your complete self into a character is quite difficult. I've tried it 85 times, and I've succeeded two or three times.

Sir Michael Caine
I don't think you retire from movies; movies retire you.

I don't think you retire from movies; movies retire you.

Sir Michael Caine
I enjoy making people laugh. The trick is to tell them jokes against yourself. If you praise yourself, your stories aren't funny.

I enjoy making people laugh. The trick is to tell them jokes against yourself. If you praise yourself, your stories aren't funny.

Sir Michael Caine
The trouble with women? Elbows.

The trouble with women? Elbows.

Sir Michael Caine
Youre only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!

Youre only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!

Sir Michael Caine
It's vital to have your own space so you aren't constantly in each other's pockets.

It's vital to have your own space so you aren't constantly in each other's pockets.

Sir Michael Caine
I've never been out with a married woman, never. I respect others' properties.

I've never been out with a married woman, never. I respect others' properties.

Sir Michael Caine
And to Tom Cruise, for if you had won this, your asking price would have gone down so fast. Do you have any idea what supporting actors get paid? We get only one trailer, a small one, in the back.

And to Tom Cruise, for if you had won this, your asking price would have gone down so fast. Do you have any idea what supporting actors get paid? We get only one trailer, a small one, in the back.

Sir Michael Caine
My mum never understood how much I earned. When I told her I earned a million pounds a film, she said, 'How much is that?'

My mum never understood how much I earned. When I told her I earned a million pounds a film, she said, 'How much is that?'

Sir Michael Caine
About Superman and Batman: the former is how America views itself, the latter, darker character is how the rest of the world views America.

About Superman and Batman: the former is how America views itself, the latter, darker character is how the rest of the world views America.

Sir Michael Caine
I had an extraordinary belief in myself. For years people told me to give it up and even though I was poverty- stricken, I never thought I should give it up.

I had an extraordinary belief in myself. For years people told me to give it up and even though I was poverty- stricken, I never thought I should give it up.

Sir Michael Caine
I've got a lot of back-up because my father was a Catholic, my mother was a Protestant, I was educated by Jews and I'm married to a Muslim. So I won't lose out on a technicality.

I've got a lot of back-up because my father was a Catholic, my mother was a Protestant, I was educated by Jews and I'm married to a Muslim. So I won't lose out on a technicality.

Sir Michael Caine
I don't want to sound like Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells, but I do think there should be some sort of national service for young men.

I don't want to sound like Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells, but I do think there should be some sort of national service for young men.

Sir Michael Caine
I'm not in the Lifetime Achievement area yet-I'm still battling it out in the trenches.

I'm not in the Lifetime Achievement area yet-I'm still battling it out in the trenches.

Sir Michael Caine
I'm doing the next Batman. I have to become obsessed about what is offered to me.

I'm doing the next Batman. I have to become obsessed about what is offered to me.

Sir Michael Caine
I'd never been in one of those great big blockbusters.

I'd never been in one of those great big blockbusters.

Sir Michael Caine
I wear a baseball cap all the time, which I would never normally wear, and I walk very fast.

I wear a baseball cap all the time, which I would never normally wear, and I walk very fast.

Sir Michael Caine
I want to stick around with the big boys. I don't want to be in the old folks home.

I want to stick around with the big boys. I don't want to be in the old folks home.

Sir Michael Caine
I spent 30 years of my life not being wanted at all for films.

I spent 30 years of my life not being wanted at all for films.

Sir Michael Caine
I sit waiting for things that I can't refuse.

I sit waiting for things that I can't refuse.

Sir Michael Caine
I had been in that part of the world as a soldier in Korea, so I had been interested in Vietnam.

I had been in that part of the world as a soldier in Korea, so I had been interested in Vietnam.

Sir Michael Caine
I feel that I helped the working class by just saying there are no barriers, which I consider to be true.

I feel that I helped the working class by just saying there are no barriers, which I consider to be true.

Sir Michael Caine
I don't like getting up early in the morning and learning all that stuff. I work with offers that I can't refuse.

I don't like getting up early in the morning and learning all that stuff. I work with offers that I can't refuse.

Sir Michael Caine
I'm very much more choosy now. I do stuff that I really, really, really like.

I'm very much more choosy now. I do stuff that I really, really, really like.

Sir Michael Caine
I've been on movies where I literally couldn't hear what the other actor was saying. It's very awkward.

I've been on movies where I literally couldn't hear what the other actor was saying. It's very awkward.

Sir Michael Caine
I've done my job and I've got the picture out there, and I'm very happy with it.

I've done my job and I've got the picture out there, and I'm very happy with it.

Sir Michael Caine
You don't make any money when you're my age. The stars get it all. That's a lie, actually.

You don't make any money when you're my age. The stars get it all. That's a lie, actually.

Sir Michael Caine
You can't get blase about something you haven't done yet.

You can't get blase about something you haven't done yet.

Sir Michael Caine
You can write shorthand and still look at the guy you're talking to.

You can write shorthand and still look at the guy you're talking to.

Sir Michael Caine
We can only use British actors because everybody's got to talk exactly the same.

We can only use British actors because everybody's got to talk exactly the same.

Sir Michael Caine
The Quiet American is anti the people who took them into the Vietnam War.

The Quiet American is anti the people who took them into the Vietnam War.

Sir Michael Caine
Sometimes, in a part, everything comes together.

Sometimes, in a part, everything comes together.

Sir Michael Caine
Nobody did a campaign for me. I was nominated out of the blue and won out of the blue. So that was it.

Nobody did a campaign for me. I was nominated out of the blue and won out of the blue. So that was it.

Sir Michael Caine
My dialogue coach said to do a Texas accent, you lean on the next word, and that was the clue to me.

My dialogue coach said to do a Texas accent, you lean on the next word, and that was the clue to me.

Sir Michael Caine
If you held a pistol at my head, I couldn't tell you who they're going to vote for Best Actor.

If you held a pistol at my head, I couldn't tell you who they're going to vote for Best Actor.

Sir Michael Caine
If I work with a bad actor, my reaction is to immediately become worse than they are.

If I work with a bad actor, my reaction is to immediately become worse than they are.

Sir Michael Caine
I don't have to work. I suppose I should retire. But I enjoy working.

I don't have to work. I suppose I should retire. But I enjoy working.

Sir Michael Caine
I don't meet stockbrokers or carpenters or coal miners; I spend all day with actors, composers and photographers.

I don't meet stockbrokers or carpenters or coal miners; I spend all day with actors, composers and photographers.

Sir Michael Caine
I've always loved reprehensible people because they're so much more interesting to play on screen.

I've always loved reprehensible people because they're so much more interesting to play on screen.

Sir Michael Caine
I don't do it often, but I do cry. I also laugh a lot; people tell me I'm funny and I do like to laugh.

I don't do it often, but I do cry. I also laugh a lot; people tell me I'm funny and I do like to laugh.

Sir Michael Caine
I'm a frustrated stand-up comic. If you hand me a microphone and I get one laugh, then I'll go on for 20 minutes.

I'm a frustrated stand-up comic. If you hand me a microphone and I get one laugh, then I'll go on for 20 minutes.

Sir Michael Caine
By the time the Oscars are on I'll be seventy. How many more chances am I going to have to get nominated for an Oscar?

By the time the Oscars are on I'll be seventy. How many more chances am I going to have to get nominated for an Oscar?

Sir Michael Caine
I didn't know what I knew. I wasn't aware of what I knew.

I didn't know what I knew. I wasn't aware of what I knew.

Sir Michael Caine
I can never be the hero now. You have to be young and all that stuff. I used to be the hero.

I can never be the hero now. You have to be young and all that stuff. I used to be the hero.

Sir Michael Caine
For Cider House Rules, I was doing a New England accent.

For Cider House Rules, I was doing a New England accent.

Sir Michael Caine
God willing, even I might scrape a nomination.

God willing, even I might scrape a nomination.

Sir Michael Caine
Ive read an awful lot of books, Ive read alot of awful books

Ive read an awful lot of books, Ive read alot of awful books

Sir Michael Caine
You're never too old to be crazy.

You're never too old to be crazy.

Sir Michael Caine
This is your life, Larry. Learn to enjoy what you've got.

This is your life, Larry. Learn to enjoy what you've got.

Sir Michael Caine
As an actor, I'll play anything.

As an actor, I'll play anything.

Sir Michael Caine
I'll always be there because I'm a skilled professional actor. Whether or not I've any talent is beside the point.

I'll always be there because I'm a skilled professional actor. Whether or not I've any talent is beside the point.

Sir Michael Caine
I wouldn't make an anti-American film. I'm one of the most pro-American foreigners I know. I love America and Americans.

I wouldn't make an anti-American film. I'm one of the most pro-American foreigners I know. I love America and Americans.

Sir Michael Caine
I don't work very much, and I just sit here waiting for a script that I can't refuse - and I'm not talking about money.

I don't work very much, and I just sit here waiting for a script that I can't refuse - and I'm not talking about money.

Sir Michael Caine
I've made the transition from star to character actor and I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

I've made the transition from star to character actor and I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

Sir Michael Caine
In the sixties, everyone you knew became famous. My flatmate was Terence Stamp. My barber was Vidal Sassoon. David Hockney did the menu in a restaurant I went to. I didn't know anyone unknown who didn't become famous.

In the sixties, everyone you knew became famous. My flatmate was Terence Stamp. My barber was Vidal Sassoon. David Hockney did the menu in a restaurant I went to. I didn't know anyone unknown who didn't become famous.

Sir Michael Caine
If you think you're going to be up for an Oscar, you schedule your moviemaking.

If you think you're going to be up for an Oscar, you schedule your moviemaking.

Sir Michael Caine
No matter what the reason, if you start to scream and shout, you look a fool, and you feel a fool, and you earn the disrespect of everyone.

No matter what the reason, if you start to scream and shout, you look a fool, and you feel a fool, and you earn the disrespect of everyone.

Sir Michael Caine
Comedy is underrepresented in every actor's life, because it's so bloody difficult to write.

Comedy is underrepresented in every actor's life, because it's so bloody difficult to write.

Sir Michael Caine
I'm a sort of boy next door. If that boy has a good scriptwriter.

I'm a sort of boy next door. If that boy has a good scriptwriter.

Sir Michael Caine
I'm the audience's representative on earth.

I'm the audience's representative on earth.

Sir Michael Caine
There's quite a lot of bad stuff written about me. My wife even says a lot of bad stuff about me. But she is wonderful.

There's quite a lot of bad stuff written about me. My wife even says a lot of bad stuff about me. But she is wonderful.

Sir Michael Caine
Obsession is a young man’s game.

Obsession is a young man’s game.

Sir Michael Caine
I love the start of autumn when the trees in my garden change the colour of their leaves in one last dazzling display.

I love the start of autumn when the trees in my garden change the colour of their leaves in one last dazzling display.

Sir Michael Caine
If you're blond, as I am, and you have blond lashes, you have to wear mascara, otherwise you're invisible on stage.

If you're blond, as I am, and you have blond lashes, you have to wear mascara, otherwise you're invisible on stage.

Sir Michael Caine
There's only two things I hate in this world. People who are intolerant of other people's cultures and the Dutch.

There's only two things I hate in this world. People who are intolerant of other people's cultures and the Dutch.

Sir Michael Caine
Not only is acting more than a part-time job, it's more than a full-time job. It's a full-time obsession.

Not only is acting more than a part-time job, it's more than a full-time job. It's a full-time obsession.

Sir Michael Caine
My career is going better now than when I was younger. Now I get the part. Back then, I'd get the girl.

My career is going better now than when I was younger. Now I get the part. Back then, I'd get the girl.

Sir Michael Caine
Just because I have made a point of never losing my accent it doesn't mean I'm an eel-and-pie yob.

Just because I have made a point of never losing my accent it doesn't mean I'm an eel-and-pie yob.

Sir Michael Caine
I didn't want to come in the movie every so often, every 20 minutes saying, 'Dinner is served, would you like coffee?'

I didn't want to come in the movie every so often, every 20 minutes saying, 'Dinner is served, would you like coffee?'

Sir Michael Caine
Movie actors earn their living and learn their craft through listening and reacting.

Movie actors earn their living and learn their craft through listening and reacting.

Sir Michael Caine