Cary Grant Family Tree: The Story Behind Hollywood's Debonair Icon

Archibald Alec Leach, known as Cary Grant (1904–1986), born 18 January 1904 in Bristol, England, and died 29 November 1986 in Davenport, Iowa, was Hollywood's most-suave leading man — The Awful Truth (1937), Bringing Up Baby (1938), Gunga Din (1939), His Girl Friday (1940), The Philadelphia Story (1940), Notorious (1946), To Catch a Thief (1955), An Affair to Remember (1957), North by Northwest (1959), Charade (1963); Honorary Academy Award (1970).

The Family's Roots: A Working-Class Bristol Family

Family life was difficult; mother institutionalised for depression in 1913 (Cary told she was on holiday for 20 years).

His Parents

Father: Elias James Leach — tailor's presser.

Mother: Elsie Maria Kingdon Leach (1877–1973) — institutionalised for chronic depression in 1913 when Cary was 9; Cary reunited with her in 1934, aged 30.

His Older Brother

John William Elias Leach (1899–1900) — died of tubercular meningitis before Cary's birth.

His Wives (5)

Virginia Cherrill (m. 9 February 1934, div. 26 March 1935) — actress (City Lights).

Barbara Hutton (m. 8 July 1942, div. 30 August 1945) — Woolworth heiress.

Betsy Drake (m. 25 December 1949, div. 14 August 1962) — actress.

Dyan Cannon (m. 22 July 1965, div. 21 March 1968) — actress.

Barbara Harris (m. 15 April 1981, until his death 1986) — hotel PR.

His Daughter (with Dyan Cannon)

Jennifer Grant, born 26 February 1966 — daughter; actress (only child, born when Cary was 62).

The Grant Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Elias James Leach — tailor's presser.

Mother: Elsie Maria Kingdon Leach (1877–1973) — institutionalised 1913-1934.

Elder Brother (died before Cary): John William Leach (1899–1900).

Wives: Virginia Cherrill (1934-35); Barbara Hutton (1942-45); Betsy Drake (1949-62); Dyan Cannon (1965-68); Barbara Harris (1981-death).

Daughter (Dyan): Jennifer Grant (b. 26 February 1966).

Cary Grant:

  • Born 18 January 1904, Bristol
  • Left Fairfield Grammar School at 14; joined Bob Pender Stage Troupe (acrobats/stilt-walkers)
  • Moved to US 1920 with the troupe; stayed
  • Broadway 1927-1931; Hollywood contract with Paramount 1931
  • Renamed Cary Grant by Paramount
  • 72+ films
  • Honorary Academy Award: 1970 (never won competitive Oscar despite 2 nominations)
  • Died: 29 November 1986, Davenport, IA — stroke at 82

What the Grant Family Story Teaches Us

A tailor's-presser father. A mother institutionalised for 20 years when Cary was 9. An elder brother lost in infancy. Five marriages. One daughter, born when he was 62. A career that made Cary Grant Hollywood's most-suave leading man — from a working-class Bristol childhood.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Grant story carries the same lesson. Some careers cross Bristol acrobat-troupes to Hollywood's biggest screen presence.

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