5 Epic Reasons Michael Caine is Eternally Cool

When it comes to amazing, larger-than-life and effortlessly cool actors my favorite of all time is Michael Caine.

Caine, who finally legally changed his name to his stage name in 2016 because Maurice Joseph Micklewhite Jr. was confusing people on his passport, has been nominated for an acting Oscar every decade since the 1960s.

Today, Michael Caine is still one of the coolest and sleekest dudes in entertainment. Here are five reasons to love his vibe:

His First Acting Job Was a Beer Commercial

Long before he officially knighted for his cultural and artistic contributions, Caine’s first acting gig was a quick commercial appearance for Watney’s Beer in 1959. Commercials gave him another big life change, as he first fell in love with his wife of nearly 50 years, Shakira Baksh, after seeing her in a coffee commercial.

He Landed His Role in Zulu After Tanking the Audition

According to various IMDB trivia, Zulu director Cy Enfield said Caine’s Zulu audition was the “worst test he had ever seen”. However, he couldn’t find anyone else for the role, so Caine got it. Talk about taking a reluctant gamble that paid off. Here’s an epic scene with the best reaction to being completely and utterly screwed.

He Released a “Chill-Out” Music Compilation

Caine loves “chill-out” music with and cool blend of jazz, world, electronic and other sounds, and used to make well-loved chill mix tapes for his friends for almost 40 years, including Sir Elton John. He made one for everyone in 2007, appropriately titled Cained. Good luck finding this import cheap, but Wired Magazine released the track list in case you want to compile your own.

Image: UMTV

He Took His Leading Role in a Muppet Feature Seriously

The muppet feature films were alway a reason for “serious” actors be completely goofy with Kermit and gang, but when Caine took over the role as Ebenezer Scrooge in Muppet Christmas Carol, you would have thought he was was performing for the National Theatre in London. I mean, being able upstage the antics of muppet rats in hula skirts by being completely stoney serious isn’t easy. If anyone can do it, it’s Caine.

Of course, there’s a whole generation who will always know Caine for one thing, and it is one of great importance:

He Is the Best Alfred Pennyworth Ever

We always talk about who the best Batman is, but Caine is the best Alfred. There have been some really fantastic Alfred portrayals out there, but Caine rocked it like no one else. Try saying “Master Wayne” in any voice, and it will always evolve into a Michael Caine imitation.

Happy Birthday, Sir Michael. Thank you for nearly nine decades of just being cool.

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