Why Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman Idolise One Hollywood Legend
Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine, long-time co-stars, both single out Humphrey Bogart as the greatest actor ever, crediting his impact on their craft and approach to fame.
When two of the most respected blokes in the business, Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman, find themselves on set together, there’s never a shortage of yarns. Having teamed up on everything from Nolan’s Batman flicks to the Now You See Me series and Going in Style, these two have built a solid rapport over the years. Even if they’ve been caught napping between takes—fair enough, given their age—they’ve always been sharp when the cameras roll.
Between them, they’ve racked up three Oscars from 11 nods and starred in more classic films than you could poke a stick at. Their journeys to stardom couldn’t have been more different. Caine slogged it out for years before Alfie made him a household name in the ‘60s, while Freeman had to wait until he was 50 for Street Smart to give him his big break. Once they hit their stride, both ended up with well over a hundred credits each.
Shared Inspiration from a Screen Icon
Freeman’s list of influences is a long one—he reckons at least 15 actors shaped his style. But there’s one who stands head and shoulders above the rest. He’s called Humphrey Bogart not just a major influence, but
“one of my film heroes,”
and tried to follow his lead both on and off the screen. Freeman’s approach to the business side of things, especially his no-nonsense attitude towards publicity, owes a lot to what he calls
“Humphrey Bogart’s dictum”
—keeping personal details close to the chest, even if that’s not always easy in the spotlight.
It’s no surprise Caine’s on the same page. He actually took his stage name from The Caine Mutiny, a 1954 film starring Bogart. And Casablanca, with Bogart front and centre, has been Caine’s top pick since he first saw it. Landing a role in The Man Who Would Be King, directed by his favourite filmmaker and originally meant for Bogart, was a real pinch-me moment. As Caine put it,
“Bogart was my favourite actor. I was going to play a part that Bogart was going to play, and I was going to be directed by John Huston!”
He still calls it the best film he’s ever made.
Bogart’s Lasting Legacy
Bogart’s influence didn’t stop with these two. He set the bar for generations of actors who came after him. Caine and Freeman aren’t alone in seeing him as a giant in the industry. His style, attitude, and knack for keeping things real have left a mark that’s hard to miss, even decades on.
For both Caine and Freeman, Bogart isn’t just a name from the past. He’s the gold standard, the bloke they both reckon changed the game for everyone who followed. Whether it’s the way he handled fame or the way he brought characters to life, his legacy is still going strong among actors and punters alike.