After 6 decades and over 100 movies, it’s safe to say that Michael Caine is Hollywood royalty - but despite his superstar status, he has his feet firmly planted on the ground.
"I’ve been a family man, who if I can, takes care of everyone," he told Ryan Tubridy chatting about his career and his eclectic start in life.
"I had a Catholic father, a Protestant mother, I was educated by Jews - and then I’m married to a Muslim woman. I’m a sort of United Nations, anything you want to know about any religion, I know!"
Now 85, Michael told Ryan all about his childhood from waving goodbye to his father who left to fight in World War 2 to being shipped out to Korea to fight himself to reinventing the status quo in the swinging sixties.
Somehow in the middle of it all, he found time to become one of the greatest movies stars on the planet and he has now written a book, fittingly entitled Blowing the Bloody Doors Off (and other Life Lessons). In it, you can read about such anecdotes as Michael’s meeting with John Wayne in a hotel lobby, where he got some valuable life advice.
"He caught my eye and he said to me, ‘What’s your name, kid?’ I said, ‘My name’s Michael Caine.’ He said, ‘Were you in that movie Alfie? You’re going to be a big star kid, but let me give you some advice.’ He said, ‘Talk low, talk slow and don’t say too much, OK?’ I was wearing suede shoes and he said, ‘…and never wear suede shoes - you’ll be in a gents toilet taking a pee, and the guy next to you will recognise you and turn and say ‘Michael Caine!’ and pee all over your shoes... So never wear suede shoes kid,’ and I threw my suede shoes away!"
Blowing the Bloody Doors Off (and other Life Lessons) is out now.
