Cary Grant
Born Archibald Leach on
Jan. 18, 1904
in Bristol, United Kingdom
Died
Nov. 29, 1986
of stroke in Davenport, IA
Cary Grant was the personification of the self-made man: a one-time child acrobat who had transformed himself into the sophisticated and urbane ideal of men and women throughout the world. The career that brought him two Oscar nominations ("Penny Serenade," 1941, "None But the Lonely Heart," 1944) and finally a special Oscar in 1970 for "sheer brilliance" began with one desperately simple desire: to get out of Bristol, England. Virtually from the beginning, when he proved a straight foil for Mae West and then caught his stride in the light comedies of the late 1930s, turning roles for Cary Grant into Cary Grant roles, he magically plied his craft, entertaining his public with interwoven reserve, humor and lightly smoldering charm. From nasty con man in "Sylvia Scarlett" to absent-minded scientist in "Bringing Up Baby," from rough-hewn city editor in "His Girl Friday" to charming fortune hunter in "Suspicion," from cool counterspy in "Notorious" to reformed cat burglar in "To Catch a Thief," he was the enticing, civilized gentleman women dreamed of for five decades. But there was more to Cary Grant than that, a thoughtful side that expressed itself in "None But the Lonely Heart," a somber 1944 film reminiscent of his English childhood. But Grant, too, saw the limits of what his audience wanted, and with few exceptions he gave them just that. "I enjoyed making "None But the Lonely Heart," but it was accepted by the critics, not the public," he later said. "They wanted me to make them laugh. "I remember this absolutely marvelous feeling when a great laugh went up at something I had done or, even better, at something I had added myself. I felt so good. All the people at that moment had forgotten all their troubles. . . . Perhaps just a twist of my head sets them off." But he rankled at criticism that he actually played only one role—Cary Grant. "I've often been accused by the critics of being myself on the screen," he said. "But being one's self is more difficult than you'd suppose. Anyway, who else would I be? Marlon Brando?"
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Points of interest
Academy Awards
| Year | Category | Work | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1941 | Best Actor | Penny Serenade | Nomination |
| 1944 | Best Actor | None But the Lonely Heart | Nomination |
| 1969 | Honorary Award | Win |
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Seven thoughts about Cary Grant
The most over rated actor in Hollywood; his "method" was mugging before the camera. Joel McCrea could act rings around him.
Cary Grant made one feel good just watching him walk and smile. My favorite was An affair to remember. A very dapper and handsome man.
The greatest leading man ever. No one can come close to him. He had class, charm and humor on the screen as well as in real life. Not to mention his acrobatic talent which delighted us in many of his movies. A real star!
Well, first, I must say, I find this a most shocking revelation! Cary and I were good friends and constant companions before his Dyan Cannon relationship. Cary was a most curious lover. It's true that while I was not considered to be "Hollywood" material, we had a most passionate affair. Cary showered me with Creed fragrances and loved drives out on the coast. The only trouble I had was getting past his insane addiction to fish oil capsules which he stashed absolutely everywhere, even in the car. He was quite gassy and tended to belch quite a lot which sent people reeling due to the smelly capsules. Otherwise, a charming, charming man.
There is a digitally remastered DVD of The Suave Cary Grant with Co-Star Mary Brian in: "The Amazing Adventure" It has a sweet little love plot.
Loved him in "Notorious" & all of the Hitchcock films...
I remember Mr. Grant and Ms. Cannon coming into my health food shop back in 1970 in search of fish oil capsules. The way they acted at the time it seemed like a naughty little secret between them as if they were going to use the capsules for something else other than what they are intended for. I thought it strange. I've since come to find out that Mr. Grant overdosed on capsules resulting in his death.
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