Freeman and Caine Both Name Same Actor as Greatest Ever
Two Hollywood legends share an unexpected common opinion about which performer deserves the title of best actor in cinema history, revealing how this choice shaped their own careers.
Two of Hollywood's most respected veterans share more than just screen time together. Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine, who have appeared in six films as co-stars, both point to the same performer when asked about the greatest actor who ever lived.
The pair built their friendship through multiple collaborations, including Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy, both Now You See Me movies, and the remake of Going in Style. During their time working together, they discovered they held identical views about one particular screen legend.
A Shared Inspiration
Both actors credit Humphrey Bogart as their ultimate acting hero. Freeman, who didn't achieve major stardom until age 50 with Street Smart, has mentioned at least 15 different performers who influenced his craft. Yet Bogart stands apart from all others in his estimation.
The Shawshank Redemption star called Bogart "one of my movie heroes" and tried to copy not just his acting style but his entire approach to fame. Freeman adopted what he termed "Humphrey Bogart's dictum" of keeping personal details private, though he admits this strategy doesn't always work in today's media landscape.
More Than Just Admiration
For Caine, the connection runs even deeper. The British actor actually took his stage name from Bogart's 1954 film The Caine Mutiny. Casablanca remains his favorite movie of all time, a choice that hasn't changed since he first watched it decades ago.
When Caine landed a role in The Man Who Would Be King alongside Sean Connery, he could hardly believe his luck. The part was originally intended for Bogart himself, and John Huston - Caine's favorite director - was behind the camera.
"Bogart was my favourite actor," Caine explained. "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 considers that film the best work of his entire career.
A Lasting Legacy
Between Freeman and Caine, there are three Oscar wins from 11 total nominations, plus more than 200 film credits combined. Their career paths couldn't have been more different - Caine became an international sensation in the 1960s with Alfie, while Freeman had to wait much longer for his breakthrough moment.
Despite their different journeys to success, both men found common ground in their admiration for Bogart's timeless performances and professional approach. They're hardly alone in this assessment, as countless actors from subsequent generations have cited the Casablanca star as a major influence on their own work.