It Runs in the Family: How Cary Grant’s Rise to Fame Inspired His Daughter to Greatness

2024-10-17

Originally published on our site everydaykoala.com

Cary Grant is well known as one of the most legendary and beloved actors in Hollywood history. Famed for his transatlantic accent and sophisticated charm, Grant rose to fame thanks to his stunning turns in classic movies such as North by Northwest and Bringing Up Baby, and quickly became one of the leading men of Hollywood’s golden age.

And Grant’s legacy lives on to this day in more ways than one, as his daughter Jennifer Grant is also making a name for herself in the world of Hollywood.

Let’s take a look back at these stars’ rise to fame, and how their special bond inspired them both to greatness.

A Star is Born

Cary Grant was born Archibald Alex Leach on January 18, 1904 in Bristol, England.

His father, Elias James Leach was a tailor’s presser in a clothes factory, and his mother, Elsie Maria Kingdon, worked as a seamstress.

But instead of following his parents into the clothing industry, Grant knew that destiny held a very different path for him.

But his dreams were put on hold when he received a sudden blow—when his father left the family home, leaving his wife for another woman.

A Difficult Start

After his parents had separated, Grant went through a difficult few years. The young future star was devastated when at the age of ten, he received the shocking news that his mother had passed away.

But this in fact was a lie, and she was very much alive—but she had secretly been committed to a mental institution.

But it would be many years later—and after much fame and fortune—that Grant would one day discover this.

Tough Times

After the supposed loss of his mother, the young Cary Grant was very much on his own in life. His father was still around, but not super involved in his son’s affairs, or supporting him through his adolescent years.

The 13-year-old Grant started picking up odd jobs at a local theater, before being invited to join a traveling performance group run by Bob Pender.

But suddenly, his ever-absent father got wind of this and stepped back into Grant’s life—ordering him to give up this opportunity and head back to school.

But this wouldn’t stop Grant from continuing to follow his dreams.

The Journey Begins

Even though Grant did as he was told and headed back to school, his renewed status as a student didn’t last long.

It simply didn’t suit Grant, who was destined for a lifetime of stardom, to be sitting in a classroom. Eventually this became so clear that the young thespian was actually expelled—and his father had no choice but to let him finally join Pender’s troupe.

For the next two years, Grant made a name for himself on the performance circuit, trying out everything from comedy to juggling.

Branching Out

It was clear from the get-go that Cary Grant was a talented and charismatic performer, and that his stint within Pender’s troupe would be only the beginning. And so it came as no surprise to anyone when in 1920, the young talented actor decided to branch out on his own.

With nothing but the clothes on his back, Grant headed over to the Big Apple, New York City, to try and make his name in the bright lights of showbiz.

Starting out, he took small jobs such as a stilt walker—but his true destiny was now within his grasp.

Broadway Break

Throughout the 1920s, Grant continued to work his way up through the Broadway theater circuit, slowly but surely making a name for himself as a talented actor and comic wit. And by the end of the decade, he was well known in the theater scene, having landed several roles that brought him wide acclaim.

His performance as the lead in the 1931 musical Nikki sealed the deal, and Grant finally landed his first movie deal—starring in short film Singapore Sue.