Entertainment

A Knight To Celebrate

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

November 16, 2000 / 10:23 AM EST / CBS

He found fame as Michael Caine. But to accept one of his country's most prestigious honors, the Oscar-winning actor reverted to his real name Thursday and was knighted Sir Maurice Micklewhite.

"I was named after my father and I was knighted in his name because I love my father," Caine said after his investiture at Buckingham Palace by Queen Elizabeth II.

"When I go home, I leave Michael Caine the film star with the costumes, the wigs and the props in the studio," said the actor, who adopted his stage name from the film The Caine Mutiny.

Caine, who launched a bitter attack on the British film industry in April, saying he never felt he belonged in his own country, described himself as "quietly ecstatic" at receiving the honor at Buckingham Palace.

CBS News Correspondent Sam Litzinger reports Caine is very proud of the honor.

"It's one of those things where you don't shout and cheer or anything like that, but you get a warm glow any time you think about it," he told Sky television after the ceremony.

After Caine knelt before the queen to be touched lightly on the shoulder with the investiture sword and dubbed Knight Bachelor, he called the honor "the recognition of a lifetime - this is the top one."

"I never imagined that I would get a knighthood - you don't imagine being a film star, either," he added.

The son of a London fish porter, Caine, 67, clung stubbornly to his much mimicked accent from the city's working-class East End as he rose to international stardom.

His first big break came in the 1964 adventure epic Zulu but the prolific Caine is best known for his memorable delivery of lines in cult movies like The Ipcress File, The Italian Job and Get Carter.

Now, after more than 100 films and two Oscars, the second awarded this year for his role in The Cider House Rules, the man dubbed "Mr. Sex In Specs" has been awarded a knighthood for services to drama.

Caine was accompanied to the palace by his wife, Shakira, and daughters Dominique and Natasha.

Asked whether his fans should call him Sir Michael or Sir Maurice, he replied, "I'm both, but I will use Sir Michael Caine."

And the next time the credits roll, reports CBS News Correspondent Tom Rivers, he'll appear as Sir Michael Caine.

Also receiving honors Thursday were former athlete Mary Peters and actress Dorothy Tutin, who were both made Dames.