Cary Grant was the perfect example of the dashing leading man. He was suave, debonair, sophisticated, and handsome, with a sexy mid-Atlantic accent. Only one name is before his on the American Film Institute’s list of Greatest Male Stars of all time, and that is Humphrey Bogart.
Born Archibald Alec Leach in Horfield, Bristol, England in 1904, Archie was an only child. He had an unhappy childhood, and when he was nine years old, his mother was committed to a mental institution. He was told that she had gone to a resort, and he did not discover the truth until he was in his twenties when he found her at the institution.
He left school at the age of 14 and forged his father’s signature on a letter so that he could join the Bob Pender Stage Troup. He traveled to the United States with the troupe, but when the rest of them returned to England, he stayed in the U. S. He worked on the stage under his birth name until 1931 when he went to Hollywood. He changed his name to Cary Lockwood for a while, but when he signed a contract with Paramount Pictures, they did not like the name Lockwood. It was then that Cary Grant was born.
Grant starred in some of Hollywood’s best and most memorable films – from screwball comedies such as “Bringing Up Baby,” “Arsenic and Old Lace,” and “His Girl Friday,” to Hitchcock suspense films like “Notorious,” “Suspicion,” and “North by Northwest.” He was equally great in comedies, dramas, suspense films, and light-hearted chick flicks. He had the versatility, as well as the talent, to do it all.
Alfred Hitchcock, who was known for not liking actors, directed Grant in several films. He said that Grant was, “the only actor I ever loved in my whole life.” Grant’s reputation with directors, producers, and fellow actors was that of being a gifted actor and a wonderful man.
He was married five times. His first wife was Virginia Cherrill (1934-1935), then Barbara Hutton (1942-1945), Betsy Drake (1949-1962), Dyan Cannon (1965-1968), and finally Barbara Harris (1981 until his death). His only child was with Dyan Cannon, a daughter named Jennifer.
Unusual for someone in the acting profession, Cary Grant was a Republican. After his retirement from acting, he was active in numerous Republican causes. He supported Nixon and his good friend, Ronald Reagan. He also introduced First Lady Betty Ford at the Republic National Convention in 1976.
Grant received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1981. He was also nominated for two Academy Awards in the 1940’s, but the award would not be his until 1970 when he received the coveted Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement.
He was quoted as saying, “Everybody wants to be Cary Grant. Even I want to be Cary Grant.” That sums it up. Cary Grant was what all men secretly wish to be – sexy, handsome, suave, and sophisticated, the perfect leading man.
