Acting
Jan 17, 1904
Horfield, Bristol, England, UK
Cary Grant
Acting
Biography
Cary Grant (born Archibald Alec Leach; January 18, 1904 – November 29, 1986) was a British-American actor, celebrated for his debonair charm, impeccable comic timing, and sophisticated screen presence. He became one of Hollywood’s most iconic leading men, starring in classics such as Bringing Up Baby (1938), His Girl Friday (1940), Notorious (1946), and North by Northwest (1959). Grant had a difficult childhood, marked by his mother’s institutionalization and his father’s alcoholism. At 16, he joined the Pender Troupe, a group of acrobats, which led him to New York City, where he built a career in vaudeville before transitioning to Hollywood in the early 1930s. His breakthrough came with screwball comedies, where his witty delivery and effortless charisma made him a favorite among audiences. He worked with legendary directors such as Howard Hawks, Alfred Hitchcock, and George Cukor, solidifying his reputation as a versatile and enduring star. Grant was married five times, but his longtime companionship with fellow actor Randolph Scott fueled speculation about his sexuality. The two lived together for over a decade, sharing a home in Los Angeles, which led to rumors that they were romantically involved. While Grant never publicly addressed these claims, some biographers suggest that his relationship with Scott was more than just friendship. Despite the speculation, Grant maintained a carefully curated public image, often portraying the ideal romantic lead opposite Hollywood’s most glamorous actresses, including Katharine Hepburn, Ingrid Bergman, and Grace Kelly. Grant retired from acting in 1966, choosing to focus on business ventures and his family. He received an Academy Honorary Award in 1970 and was honored with the Kennedy Center Award in 1981. He passed away on November 29, 1986, at the age of 82. His legacy remains unmatched, with the American Film Institute ranking him as the second greatest male star of Hollywood’s Golden Age. His timeless appeal, effortless sophistication, and enigmatic personal life continue to fascinate audiences and film historians alike.
Feature Films (156)
Mortimer Brewster, a newspaper drama critic, playwright, and author known for his diatribes against marriage, suddenly falls in love and gets married; but when he makes a quick trip home to tell his two maiden aunts, he finds out his aunts' hobby - killing lonely old men and burying them in the cellar!
Arsenic and Old Lace
Advertising man Roger Thornhill is mistaken for a spy, triggering a deadly cross-country chase.
North by Northwest
In order to help bring Nazis to justice, U.S. government agent T.R. Devlin recruits Alicia Huberman, the American daughter of a convicted German war criminal, as a spy. As they begin to fall for one another, Alicia is instructed to win the affections of Alexander Sebastian, a Nazi hiding out in Brazil. When Sebastian becomes serious about his relationship with Alicia, the stakes get higher, and Devlin must watch her slip further undercover.
Notorious
David Huxley is waiting to get a bone he needs for his museum collection. Through a series of strange circumstances, he meets Susan Vance, and the duo have a series of misadventures which include a leopard called Baby.
Bringing Up Baby
When a string of jewel robberies hits the French Riviera, suspicion falls on retired thief John “The Cat” Robie. To clear his name, he sets out to trap the copycat himself—entangling a wealthy widow and her beguiling daughter in a seductive game of pursuit, deception, and desire.
To Catch a Thief
Television & Series (11)
In 1973 the American Film Institute initiated its Life Achievement Award, to be presented to a yearly recipient whose talent has fundamentally advanced the film art; whose accomplishments have been acknowledged by scholars, critics, professional peers and the general public; and whose work has stood the test of time.
The American Film Institute Salute to ...
An annual American awards ceremony honoring cinematic achievements in the film industry. The various category winners are awarded a copy of a statuette, officially the Academy Award of Merit, that is better known by its nickname Oscar.
The Oscars
The Kennedy Center Honors is an annual honor given to those in the performing arts for their lifetime of contributions to American culture.
The Kennedy Center Honors
V.I.P.-Schaukel is a 45 minute documentary-family-news-talk show starring Margret Dünser as Host. The series premiered on Sun May 09, 1971 on ZDF and Folge 37 - Final Show last aired on Fri May 09, 1980.
V.I.P. Schaukel
Marcello Mastroianni, Isabelle Adjani, Alain Delon, Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen... the biggest stars in cinema were welcomed by Christian Defaye on his show Spécial cinéma. Between intimate confessions from actors and immersion in the world of the greatest filmmakers, Christian Defaye took viewers on a journey into the fascinating world of cinema for nearly thirty years.
