Tom Cruise celebrates Michael Caine’s 90th birthday after ditching Oscars

nypost.com:

“Top Gun: Maverick” actor was noticeably absent from the 2023 Academy Awards on Sunday, despite the blockbuster film being nominated for six awards.But as the celebrities got suited and booted for Hollywood’s biggest night, Cruise headed across the pond to attend Caine’s birthday celebration in the UK.Joining the likes of comedian David Walliams and Caine’s wife, Shakira, 75, Cruise was snapped grinning at an intimate dinner for the big day.“Happy 90th Birthday to the legendary Sir Michael Caine,” Walliams wrote on Instagram alongside a series of pictures from the dinner.Caine appeared to be healthy and in good spirits as he continues to recover from major spinal surgery to treat spinal stenosis — a condition caused by the narrowing of the spinal canal, resulting in back and neck pain.The two-time Oscar winner, who relies on the help of a walking frame, previously spoke out about his back issues in 2021 — sparking speculation that he was set to retire.Other snaps from his birthday showed Cruise wrapping his arm around the veteran actor as Walliams joined them for a snap.The scaled-back affair featured a handful of A-listers including celebrity chef Ruth Rogers and an appetizing chocolate cake and a lot of red wine.Cruise was MIA at Sunday’s ceremony because he reportedly wanted to avoid an “awkward run-in” with his ex-wife Nicole Kidman, 55, whom he divorced more than 20 years ago.“Tom was not there because she was there, and he did not want a run-in,” a source told the Daily Mail on Monday.But insiders close to Cruise told the outlet that his absence was “not personal” and instead the result of scheduling issues.The Post has contacted representatives for Cruise and Kidman for comment.The prolific duo married on Dec.