- During World War II, he worked as a producer for the Greek service of the BBC.
- Member of the jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 1959.
- Founded the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation in 2003; an institution for the performing arts.
- Biography in: John Wakeman, editor. "World Film Directors, Volume Two, 1945-1985". Pages 176-180. New York: The H.W. Wilson Company, 1988.
- His father, Panayotis, was a lawyer and member of the Cyprus legislative and executive councils who was knighted by the British in 1936.
- Studied acting at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, and learned stage direction at the Old Vic. Made his theatrical debut in 1946 as Herod in "Salome" by Oscar Wilde.
- Graduated in classical studies.
- In 1939, went to England where he was stuck on account of the War.
- Interpreted Caligula in Albert Camus' eponymous play
- In 1952, wishing to direct films in the USA, he spent a year there but, being a total stranger to the American movie world, he got no offers.
- Returned to his native Greece in 1953 where he was given the opportunity to be part of the birth of Greek cinema.
- Directed two different actors in Oscar-nominated performances: Anthony Quinn and Lila Kedrova. Kedrova won for her role in Zorba the Greek (1964).
- Sent to London to read for the Bar, Cacoyannis gravitated instead to the Old Vic stage school. He had a short stage career under the name "Michael Yannis" before deciding he wanted to direct films.
- He has directed one film that has been nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: Zorba the Greek (1964).
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