Biography of Cary Grant

The Cary Grant biography is as interesting as his film profiles. Archibald Alec Leach, better known as Cary Grant, was born on January 18, 1904. He adopted the stage name 'Cary Grant' to compliment his not-quite-distinct accent and virile, charismatic personality. This British-born American actor is recognized as 'The Second Greatest Male Star of All Time', an honor conferred on him by the AFI or American Film Institute. His portal highlights his performances in Hollywood classics such as 'The Philadelphia Story', 'Notorious', 'North by Northwest', 'To Catch A Thief', 'The Bishop's Wife' and 'Bringing Up Baby'. He made a mark on co-stars and his audiences alike through his mastery of the art of acting and the deep respect for fellow humans that reflected in all his interactions.

Cary Grant joined the Bob Pender stage troupe at the age of 14. He traveled with the group from Bristol to the United States as a stilt walker. Later, when the troupe returned to England, he decided to stay back in the US and pursue the love of his life - acting. His stage performances include 'Irene', 'Music in May', 'Street Singer', 'Nina Rosa', 'Rio Rita', 'Wonderful Night' and 'The Three Musketeers'. It was his Broadway success that egged him on to Hollywood in 1931. Initially, he took on the name of Cary Lockwood, his surname in the play called Nikki. He was integrated within the Paramount Pictures fold instantly and it was at Paramount that 'Cary Grant' was born. He more than welcomed the name since he always weighed the initials 'C' and 'G' by the fame they had bought the likes of Clark Gable and Gary Cooper.

Cary Grant's tryst with destiny was benchmarked in films such as:

• Blonde Venus
• She Done Him Wrong
• I'm No Angel
• Topper
• The Philadelphia Story
• His Girl Friday
• Arsenic and Old Lace
• Monkey Business
• The Awful Truth

His screen persona and performances wooed audiences with an irresistible appeal. He remained Hollywood's top box-office grosser for years. His on-screen and off-screen versatility spotlighted skills he had learned on stage. He was an Alfred Hitchcock favorite and starred in the author's action thrillers such as 'Suspicion', 'Notorious' and 'To Catch a Thief'. He formed the Grantley Productions, his own production company, in the 1950s. The banner produced and distributed films such as 'Operation Petticoat', 'Indiscreet' and 'That Touch of Mink'. He was a favorite of Hollywood heartthrobs such as Doris Day, Audrey Hepburn and Samantha Eggar. He was always in complete control of every aspect of his film career. He not only decided the films he would appear in, but also chose his directors and co-stars. He was an institution in himself, at times even negotiating his share in a movie's gross.

Grant had a rather complicated personal life and was part of five marriages. His first marriage to Virginia Cherrill in 1934 ended in a divorce on the grounds of physical assault. His second marriage to socialite Barbara Hutton came to a very amicable end and the two remained friends for life. Grant's third wife was actress Betsy Drake, with whom he had co-starred in two films. However, the marriage ended with the need for LSD rehab, a drug that the actress had introduced him to. He married actress Dyan Cannon in 1965, in Las Vegas. She was the mother of Grant's only child, Jennifer Grant. Sadly, this marriage, too, went on the rocks, once again on the accusation of physical abuse. In the spring of 1981, Grant married Barbara Harris, who remained by his side as the Hollywood legend breathed his last.

Cary Grant earned two Academy Award nominations in his film career. However, he never received an award; a bias that followed his being an actor who was completely independent of any of the major Hollywood studios. Much later, in 1970, he received the 'Lifetime Achievement' Academy Award and a decade later, the Kennedy Center Honors. Even when he retired from acting, he continued to remain an active member of the Faberge board of directors, attending meetings and endorsing product launches. He was also on the Board of MGM and Hollywood Park. Towards the end, he toured the United States as part of a one-man-show called 'A Conversation with Cary Grant'. Against the backdrop of some of his most popular film scenes, he answered audience questions and interacted with fans. On November 29, 1986 Cary Grant succumbed to cerebral hemorrhage.