Maxwell Caulfield
A British actor who became an unexpected cult figure, moving from Hollywood musicals to beloved indie film roles.
Born 1959 (age 67)·British actor·Birthday: November 23·Baby Boomers
Biography
Born in Scotland and raised in England, Maxwell Caulfield's path to acting was unconventional, shaped by early stage work and a move to the United States. His breakout role came as the leather-clad hero of the maligned but later cherished 'Grease 2,' a part that cemented his status as a 1980s pin-up. Rather than settling into a teen idol lane, Caulfield pivoted to darker, independent films like 'The Boys Next Door,' showcasing a gritty intensity. His career became a study in resilience and versatility, encompassing historical epics like 'Gettysburg,' the quintessential record store clerk in 'Empire Records,' and a steady stream of television and stage work, often alongside his wife, actress Juliet Mills. While never a mainstream A-lister, Caulfield carved out a lasting niche, his filmography a fascinating map of pop culture's shifting landscape from the 80s onward.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Maxwell was born in 1959, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Maxwell Was Born
The biggest hits of 1959
#1 Movie
Ben-Hur
Best Picture
Ben-Hur
#1 TV Show
Gunsmoke
Maxwell's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1959Born
Fidel Castro takes power in Cuba
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $12,400Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"The Battle of New Orleans" — Johnny HortonBest Picture: Ben-Hur
1964Started school
Civil Rights Act signed; Beatles arrive in America
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $13,450Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"I Want to Hold Your Hand" — The BeatlesBest Picture: My Fair Lady
1972Became a teenager
Watergate break-in; last Apollo Moon mission
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $19,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" — Roberta FlackBest Picture: The Godfather
1975Could drive
Fall of Saigon ends the Vietnam War
Gas: $0.57/galHome: $27,600Min wage: $2.10/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Love Will Keep Us Together" — Captain & TennilleBest Picture: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
1977Could vote
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1980Turned 21
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1989Turned 30
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1999Turned 40
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2009Turned 50
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 60
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 67 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Starred as Michael Carrington in the cult classic film musical 'Grease 2'.
- Portrayed a record store employee in the beloved indie film 'Empire Records,' gaining a lasting fanbase.
- Played General George Armstrong Custer in the historical epic 'Gettysburg.'
- Provided the voice for James Bond in the popular video game 'James Bond 007: Nightfire.'
Did You Know?
He is married to actress Juliet Mills, daughter of Sir John Mills.
He holds both British and American citizenship.
He toured Australia in a stage play with his wife and her sister, Hayley Mills.
He studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London.
“I've always been drawn to characters on the edge of society.”
