Alfie was the first time I was above the title; the first time I became a star in America

Alfie was the first time I was above the title; the first time I became a star in America

"Alfie was the first time I was above the title; the first time I became a star in America." These words, spoken by the legendary actor Michael Caine, reflect a pivotal moment in his career that marked the beginning of his rise to fame in Hollywood.

Born Maurice Joseph Micklewhite Jr. in London, England, Caine began his acting career in the 1950s, working in theater and television before making his film debut in the 1960 British crime drama "The Day the Earth Caught Fire." However, it was his role as the charming and roguish womanizer Alfie Elkins in the 1966 film "Alfie" that truly catapulted him to stardom.

Directed by Lewis Gilbert, "Alfie" was a groundbreaking film that challenged traditional gender roles and explored themes of love, sex, and morality in swinging 1960s London. Caine's performance as the titular character was a revelation, earning him critical acclaim and a Best Actor nomination at the Academy Awards.

But it was the film's success in America that truly solidified Caine's status as a star. "Alfie" was a box office hit in the United States, and Caine's charismatic portrayal of Alfie resonated with American audiences, making him a household name virtually overnight.