Why Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman Idolize This Hollywood Legend
Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine, longtime friends and co-stars, both point to Humphrey Bogart as the greatest actor ever, crediting his impact on their craft and public personas.
Over the years, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine have shared the screen in six films, building a friendship that goes far beyond the movie set. Whether working together on Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed trilogy, the first two Now You See Me movies, or teaming up in Going in Style, these two icons have spent countless hours together, often trading stories and laughs. Even when the pace of filming slowed and they found themselves dozing off between takes, their mutual admiration never faded.
With three Oscars between them and a combined filmography that spans decades, both actors have carved out legendary careers. Caine’s rise began in the 1960s after Alfie made him a household name, while Freeman’s breakthrough came later, at age 50, with his role in Street Smart. Despite their different journeys, both have amassed over a hundred credits each, leaving a lasting mark on the industry.
Shared Inspiration from a Silver Screen Icon
Freeman has often spoken about the many performers who shaped his approach to acting, but one name stands above the rest. He’s called Humphrey Bogart not just a major influence, but also “one of my movie heroes.” Freeman admired Bogart’s work both in front of the camera and in the way he handled fame. He once said his own approach to publicity was inspired by what he called
“Humphrey Bogart’s dictum”
—a reluctance to reveal too much about his private life, though he admits it didn’t always go as planned.
Caine, too, holds Bogart in the highest regard. He even took his stage name from The Caine Mutiny, a 1954 film starring Bogart. For Caine, Bogart’s performance in Casablanca remains unmatched, and he’s called it his favorite film since the first time he saw it. Landing a role in The Man Who Would Be King, directed by his favorite filmmaker and originally meant for Bogart, was a dream come true. 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!”
Bogart’s Lasting Legacy in Hollywood
Humphrey Bogart’s influence didn’t stop with Freeman and Caine. He became a benchmark for generations of actors who followed, his presence looming large over Hollywood’s history. For these two celebrated stars, Bogart’s legacy is more than just a memory—it’s a standard they’ve both aspired to reach, on and off the screen.