Born: January 18, 1904 – Died: November 29, 1986
Cary Grant's charm and wit transcended the screen and made him a timeless icon of Hollywood glamour. Born as Archibald Alec Leach in the urban sprawls of Bristol, England, to Elsie Maria Kingdon and factory worker Elias James Leach, his life was a tale of transformation. His story, from humble beginnings to cinematic royalty, remains an integral thread in the fabric of the entertainment industry.
Early Life and Career
Grant's childhood in Bristol was marked by a twist of fate that veiled his mother's mental health struggles, leaving him in the dark until well into adulthood. He dropped out of school at 14 to join a performing troupe, which led to his American break on Broadway with the show "Good Times" in 1920.
His silver screen debut came in 1932, and it was his performance in "She Done Him Wrong" (1933) that solidified his stardom. This role, along with the critically acclaimed North by Northwest (1959), showcased his dexterity in both comedy and drama. His celebrated filmography earned him multiple awards, including a special Academy Award in 1970 for his unique mastery of the art of screen acting.
Grant's personal life was as storied as his films, with five marriages and a daughter who was the apple of his eye. Off-screen, he was known for his suave personality, business acumen on various corporate boards, and an enduring interest in philanthropy.
His legacy is immortalized through his impact on Hollywood, defining the very essence of a leading man with an unmatchable blend of sophistication, humor, and dramatic prowess. Grant's cinematic contributions have made him a perpetual figure of admiration, securing his place as a true icon of the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Business and Investments
Grant, beyond his illustrious acting career, pursued various business interests during and after his retirement from film. Here's a breakdown of some known ventures:
Investments:
- Real estate: In the 1940s, he partnered with actress Barbara Hutton to invest heavily in developing Acapulco, Mexico, when it was still a fishing village. They even considered buying a hotel there with other celebrities like Richard Widmark, Roy Rogers, and Red Skelton.
- Cosmetics: Grant served as a brand ambassador and spokesperson for Fabergé, a leading cosmetics company at the time, showcasing their products and promoting their image.
- Film industry: He sat on the board of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), a major film studio, leveraging his industry knowledge and experience to contribute to their decision-making processes.
Beyond Investments:
- Product endorsements: Grant leveraged his star power to endorse various products, from cigarettes and alcohol to clothing and travel, generating significant income through these partnerships.
- Art collecting: He was a passionate art collector, amassing a significant collection of paintings and sculptures by renowned artists, adding another layer to his financial portfolio.
Overall, his business interests showcased his astute entrepreneurial spirit and keen interest in diverse sectors beyond the film industry. His ventures spanned investments in real estate and the film industry, brand partnerships with influential companies, and personal pursuits like art collecting, indicating a multifaceted approach to his financial dealings.
Trivia & Fun Fact
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Cary Grant was born as Archibald Alexander Leach on January 18, 1904, in Bristol, England.
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He passed away on November 29, 1986, in Davenport, Iowa, at the age of 82.
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Grant was married multiple times to Barbara Harris (married in 1981), Dyan Cannon (1965–1968), Betsy Drake (1949–1962), Barbara Hutton (1942–1945), and Virginia Cherrill (1934–1935).
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Some of the notable movies Cary Grant acted in include "North by Northwest" (1959), "An Affair to Remember" (1957), "Notorious" (1946), "The Philadelphia Story" (1940), and "Bringing Up Baby" (1938).
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His real name was Archibald Alexander Leach, but he changed it to Cary Grant when he signed a contract with Paramount Studios in Hollywood in 1931.
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Cary Grant's journey into acting began when he joined a group of comedians called 'The BOB Pender stage Group' and later transitioned to Broadway roles before Moving to Hollywood.
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He discovered that his mother was alive and living in a mental hospital during his rise to fame. Grant bought her a home and visited her regularly.
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In 1981, Cary Grant received the Kennedy Center Honors and won an Academy Award in 1970 along with an Honorary Award from the Academy of motion picture Arts and sciences.
Related
- Watch Cary Grant - The Leading Man documentary
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Walk Don't Run | Sir William Rutland |
| 1964 | Father Goose | Walter |
| 1963 | Charade | Peter Joshua |
| 1962 | That Touch of Mink | Philip Shayne |
| 1960 | The Grass is Greener | Victor Rhyall, Earl |
| 1959 | Operation Petticoat | Lt. Cmdr. Matt T. Sherman |
| 1959 | North By Northwest | Roger Thornhill |
| 1958 | Houseboat | Tom Winters |
| 1958 | Indiscreet | Philip Adams |
| 1957 | Kiss Them For Me | Cmdr. Andy Crewson |
| 1957 | An Affair To Remember | Nickie Ferrante |
| 1957 | The Pride and the Passion | Anthony |
| 1955 | To Catch a Thief | John Robie |
| 1953 | Dream Wife | Clemson Reade |
| 1952 | Monkey Business | Dr. Barnaby Fulton |
| 1952 | Room for One More | George Rose |
| 1951 | People Will Talk | Dr. Noah Praetorius |
| 1950 | Crisis | Dr. Eugene Norland Ferguson |
| 1949 | I Was a Male War Bride | Captain Henri Rochard |
| 1948 | Every Girl Should Be Married | Dr. Madison Brown |
| 1948 | Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House | Jim Blandings |
| 1947 | The Bishop’s Wife | Dudley |
| 1947 | The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer | Dick Nugent |
| 1946 | Notorious | Devlin |
| 1946 | Night and Day | Cole Porter |
| 1946 | Without Reservations | Cary Grant (uncredited) |
| 1944 | None But the Lonely Heart | Ernie Mott |
| 1944 | Arsenic and Old Lace | Mortimer Brewster |
| 1944 | The Road to Victory (Short) | Cary Grant (uncredited) |
| 1944 | Once Upon a Time | Jerry Flynn |
| 1944 | The Shining Future (Short) | Cary Grant |
| 1943 | Destination Tokyo | Capt. Cassidy |
| 1943 | Mr. Lucky | Joe Adams posing as Joe Bascopolous |
| 1942 | Once Upon a Honeymoon | Patrick O'Toole |
| 1942 | The Talk of the Town | Leopold Dilg |
| 1941 | Suspicion | Johnnie Aysgarth |
| 1941 | Penny Serenade | Roger Adams |
| 1940 | The Philadelphia Story | C. K. Dexter Haven |
| 1940 | The Howards of Virginia | Matt Howard |
| 1940 | My Favorite Wife | Nick Arden |
| 1940 | His Girl Friday | Walter Burns |
| 1939 | In Name Only | Alec Walker |
| 1939 | Only Angels Have Wingss | Geoff Carter |
| 1939 | Gunga Din | Sergeant Archibald Cutter |
| 1938 | Holiday | Johnny Case |
| 1938 | Bringing Up Baby | David Huxley |
| 1937 | The Awful Truth* | Jerry Warriner |
| 1937 | The Toast of New York | Nick Boyd |
| 1937 | Topper | George Kerby |
| 1937 | When You're in Love | Jimmy Hudson |
| 1936 | Wedding Present | Charlie Mason |
| 1936 | The Amazing Adventure | Ernest Bliss |
| 1936 | Suzy | Andre Charville |
| 1936 | Big Brown Eyes | Danny Barr |
| 1935 | Sylvia Scarlett | Jimmy Monkley |
| 1935 | Pirate Party on Catalina Isle (Short) | Cary Grant (uncredited) |
| 1935 | The Last Outpost | Michael Andrews |
| 1935 | Wings in the Dark | Ken Gordon |
| 1934 | Enter Madame! | Gerald Fitzgerald |
| 1934 | Ladies Should Listen | Julian De Lussac |
| 1934 | Kiss and Make-Up | Dr. Maurice Lamar |
| 1934 | Thirty Day Princess | Porter Madison III |
| 1934 | Born to Be Bad | Malcolm Trevor |
| 1933 | Alice in Wonderland | Mock Turtle |
| 1933 | I'm No Angel | Jack Clayton |
| 1933 | Gambling Ship | Ace Corbin |
| 1933 | The Eagle and the Hawk | Henry Crocker |
| 1933 | The Woman Accused | Jeffrey Baxter |
| 1933 | She Done Him Wrong | Captain Cummings |
| 1932 | Madame Butterfly | Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton |
| 1932 | Hot Saturday | Romer Sheffield |
| 1932 | Blonde Venus | Nick Townsend |
| 1932 | Devil and the Deep | Lt. Jaeckel |
| 1932 | Merrily We Go to Hell | Charlie Baxter |
| 1932 | Singapore Sue (Short) | First Sailor (uncredited) |
| 1932 | Sinners in the Sun | Ridgeway |
| 1932 | This Is the Night | Stephen Mathewson |
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