The British actors who taught Michael Caine how to be a superstar: “He showed me it was possible”
There’s a lot to love about Michael Caine. Blessed with a sincere wit and the kind of self-deprecating humour that allows him to enjoy both the highs and the lows, his acting skills have only grown in stature as the candles are piled on his birthday cake. Having found fame in the 1960s, he has graced the stage and screen ever since, providing a whole range of legacy-defining roles.
The Italian Job, Alfie, Zulu, The Man Who Would Be King, The Dark Knight, and even The Muppets Christmas Carol have all been movies that have cemented his position as one of the most beloved actors of his generation and many others’ generations. In fact, few have had as enjoyable a time in the spotlight as Caine. However, like many working-class kids from London, for a while, the idea of going to Hollywood felt very far away indeed.
In a conversation with Gyles Brandreth, Caine opened up about his time in the limelight and those who helped him achieve his dreams. “Richard Burton and Stanley Baker. They were both role models for me,” the star explained in candid honesty that has become synonymous with his off-screen persona.
While Caine had been working on stage since the 1950s, and found some film roles too since 1956, it would be Zulu that would see him finally break out into the leading man position. He would do so starring alongside Baker. The actor, a brutish man of more humble beginnings, showed Caine the way forward: “In my day, everyone thought you had to be posh to be an actor,” he explained. “If you were working class, there weren’t British actors you could identify with. The British stars were all a bit fey. Stanley broke the mould. He was the first tough British actor who could compete with American actors for butchness.”
Richard Burton’s presence was also a contributing factor to Caine’s success and helped him develop some practical solutions to his vocal issues. “It was watching Richard Burton in the 1950s that made me realise what I needed was a voice,” he added. It’s incredibly important to be recognisable in the film industry, and Burton’s presence was undeniable.
It convinced Caine to pursue a new vocal style, something which would become his trademark: “There was never a problem with my grammar, thanks to [school teacher] Mr Watson, but my voice was tight, like a real Cockney’s, up in my throat,” the actor continued to explained. “I realised I had to place my voice, and I consciously did that, with a bit of help from my first wife. She did this trick with her hand at my throat. She actually got my voice to come down to where it is now. Burton was the inspiration, but she was the one who gave me the Michael Caine voice.”
To complete the triumvirate of some of the greatest British actors of all time, Caine then spoke about working with Laurence Olivier, widely recognised as one of the finest performers ever. Naturally, Caine picked up a few things when appearing together in 1972’s Sleuth. “I learnt something amazing from Larry. He had an extraordinary dynamic. He could summon up energy from nowhere. The first time he did it, he blew me apart. It was like being in the eye of a hurricane. I can do that now. He showed me it was possible.”
To have had such a career that you can count some of the finest figures in British acting history as friends and colleagues is a testament to just how imposing that career has been, as well as how malleable you likely are away from the profession. Caine has often shared his thoughts about the inspirational foundation of his impressive legacy, and if you were looking for some good grounding, Richard Burton, Stanley Baker, and Laurence Olivier are about as solid as you can get. Now, though, whether he would like to admit it or not, Caine can be considered an equal to them.
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