Michael Caine's Candid Memoir Shares The Untold Stories Of His Iconic Career

Let’s talk about Michael Caine, one of Hollywood's most beloved legends. Back in 1987, when he won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his unforgettable role in Hannah and Her Sisters, guess what? He wasn’t even there to accept it. Why? Well, according to the man himself, he was just plain exhausted after wrapping up Jaws: The Revenge—a film that many critics consider one of the weakest in his illustrious career.

In his new memoir, Don’t Look Back, You’ll Trip Over, exclusively shared with Closer, Michael opens up about the highs and lows of his journey. When people would tell him, “That was the worst film I’ve ever seen!” his response was classic Caine. “Probably, but it paid for a beautiful house for my mother, so what’s your problem?” he quipped. And then there’s this jaw-dropper: “Second, I won my first Oscar just after filming Jaws. Talk about a contrast!”

Now, Michael Caine at 91 is sitting back and reflecting on his life and career in this engaging memoir co-written with Matthew d’Ancona. Written in his signature conversational style, it’s like sitting down with the man himself over a cup of tea. He talks about the incredible journey from the tough streets of south London to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. His philosophy? Simple: work hard, stay positive, and always keep an eye out for that bit of luck.

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As a two-time Oscar winner with over 150 credits to his name, Michael’s advice is worth its weight in gold. “Make an effort to look for the bright side,” he suggests. “Very few failures are definitive or even important. Life is all about resilience and moving forward.”

Michael Caine’s journey wasn’t always paved with gold. Born Maurice Joseph Micklewhite to a fish market porter and a cleaning woman, he fell in love with movies early on. One of his idols growing up was none other than Humphrey Bogart. “He wasn’t tall, dark, and handsome, and I looked at him and thought, well, he became a movie star, why can’t I?” Michael recalls. His admiration for Bogart wasn’t just about the looks—it was about the grit and charisma that made Bogart shine.

At the tender age of 11, Michael joined his first theater group, not because he had dreams of stardom but because, as he puts it, “all the pretty girls were members.” It wasn’t long before he realized acting was something he might actually be good at. “I wanted to be around the best-looking girls, and pretty soon, I realized that acting itself was something I might just be good at,” he says with a chuckle.