Cary Grant biopic premieres at Cannes

A new film about the life of movie star Cary Grant had its premiere in Cannes today.

The actor‘s widow Barbara attended the screening of Cary Grant: A Class Apart, which explores how British-born Archibald Leach became one of Hollywood‘s leading men.

Grant died in 1986 after a career which included starring roles in such classic films as The Philadelphia Story, To Catch A Thief, Bringing Up Baby, North by Northwest and An Affair to Remember.

He would have celebrated his 100th birthday this year and Barbara Grant said of the famously private star: “I think even Cary would have been delighted to be remembered in this way at the age of 100.”

Barbara was accompanied to the premiere by French-born actress Leslie Caron, who co-starred with Grant in the 1964 film Father Goose.

“Cary was the most extraordinary person I have ever met,” said Barbara, Grant‘s fifth wife and 47 years his junior.

“He was a star but always remained down-to-earth. This is a wonderful film which looks at the real Cary Grant.”

The young Archie Leach, who was born in Bristol in 1904, joined an acrobatic troupe after leaving school and travelled with it to America.

After a few years in vaudeville he did a successful screen test for movie studio Paramount and changed his name to Cary Grant.

He went on to appear in 72 films opposite the likes of Katharine Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Doris Day and Sophia Loren.

Grant made his last film in 1966 and received an honorary Oscar four years later. He died in 1986 on tour with his one-man show, An Evening With Cary Grant.

Cary Grant: A Class Apart, narrated by Dame Helen Mirren, will be released later this year.