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Cary Grant's daughter is desperate to clear up the late movie star's mysterious past, including his sexuality.
There has been speculation for years that the Hollywood actor had relationships with men.
He was married five times, four of which ended in divorce. In 1966, he had his only child with his wife No. 4, Dyan Cannon.
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The main actor died in 1986 at the age of 82.
CARY GRANT'S EX-WIFE DYAN CANNON WISHES SHE COULD HAVE HELPED A MAN GOING THROUGH HELL
English-born actor Cary Grant, circa 1950. (Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)
“I suppose that [misconception about my father] The question that comes to mind is, 'Was he straight?' Was he gay?'” Jennifer Grant told Fox News Digital.
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“When I wrote my book [in 2011]”I got hate mail saying, 'Why don't you stand up for the fact that your father was gay?'” the 57-year-old revealed. “But the truth is that I have never seen anything that suggests that.” . And if he had been gay, I would definitely have supported it. He had gay friends and there is simply no reason to be ashamed.
Grace Kelly and Cary Grant kiss in a scene from 1955's “To Catch a Thief,” directed by Alfred Hitchcock. (Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)
“But I had to tell the truth, which was seeing a very straight man watching women, being married to women and giving birth to me,” the actress added. “Did he have affairs earlier in his life? Perhaps. I don't know it. I wasn't there to see it. So I think it might not be a common misconception, but it’s definitely a rumor out there.”
Jason Isaacs plays Cary Grant in the BritBox limited series Archie. (Matt Squire/ITV Studios)
Jennifer is the executive producer of the BritBox limited series Archie, about how a former acrobat turned self-taught English actor became one of the top stars of Hollywood's golden era. The scripted series also deals with his turbulent childhood. Jennifer said that when she was growing up, her famous father rarely mentioned his parents.
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“I think his biggest obstacle was starting a family,” Jennifer explained. “I think he really didn’t want to get involved in it. He had had a tough time. His mother was taken away from him. His father was an abusive alcoholic. And I just think he didn't want to touch himself.” It – having a child. And I think once he did it, I think it freed him, not because I was, but just because I became a father. He had overcome that.
“I think when we do the hardest things for ourselves, we free ourselves.”
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Jennifer Grant (left) and Dyan Cannon are executive producers of “Archie.” (Dominik Bindl/Getty Images)
Grant, born Archibald “Archie” Alexander Leach, was just 11 years old when his father took his mother to an asylum and told him she had died. The penniless Grant found solace on the stage and eventually joined a drinking troupe. He later sailed to America and worked in vaudeville.
Thanks to Grant's dashing good looks, Hollywood came calling. In 1932, the year of his 28th birthday, he appeared in his first feature film under a new name. Just as his film career was blossoming, Grant learned from his father that his mother was not dead after all. Grant placed her in private accommodation, but she remained mentally fragile.
Despite his numerous affairs with women, Grant drove away his lovers before they could leave him. In the late 1950s, he turned to therapy and LSD to cope with his traumatic childhood.
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Cary Grant was 62 years old when he gave birth to his first child with his fourth wife, Dyan Cannon. (Getty Images)
At the age of 62, Grant became a father for the first time.
“I think that’s why he retired,” Jennifer said. “He was obviously a great actor. He was a great actor and he was completely dedicated to his career. And when he decided to become a father, he sort of took the hat off and put on the parent hat, and he never did that.” looked back. He just devoted himself entirely to it [parenthood]. But I think part of it [was] for fear of doing it badly, of messing it up somehow.
“I’m here to say he didn’t do it,” Jennifer smiled. “He did a great job.”
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Jennifer Grant said it was “healing” to watch her parents’ love story on TV. (Matt Squire/ITV Studios)
According to Jennifer, Grant happily gave up his decades-long career in Hollywood and pursued his greatest role – fatherhood. After her parents divorced when she was a baby, Jennifer lived primarily with Grant until his death.
While Grant was a childhood mother, he happily introduced his daughter to his roots.
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“Dad was very proud to be British,” Jennifer said. “We watched British comedies at home – 'The Goonies,' 'Monty Python,' 'Benny Hill.'” We ate British food. At Christmas time we ate small treats. … He kept that side of himself alive. Also the way he carried himself, he was a very educated man, which I think is British.”
Cary Grant is seen here with his daughter Jennifer Grant at La Groceria Restaurant. (Frank Russo/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)
Jennifer also met Elsie, her grandmother.
“I think a common misunderstanding [was] that she was kind of crazy, which she absolutely wasn't,” Jennifer explained. “She had lost her son.”…Her husband had a second family and didn’t want to deal with them. … He could just go to an institution and have her deregistered for life. That was one of the reasons I wanted to tell this story, to shed some light. My grandma Elsie lost her life.
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Cary Grant's greatest role was that of fatherhood. (Maureen Donaldson/Getty Images)
“I always had a dream that I was on board a ship and I boarded that ship and then I found out that I couldn't see my children for months,” Jennifer continued. “I can’t leave the ship. And while filming, I realized that it was because of Elsie/… Elise was taken away one day. She couldn't see her child for 30 years. So her whole life as a mother was taken away from her.
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Jennifer Grant, pictured, wanted to tell the story of her father's turbulent childhood in “Archie.” (Steve Granitz/FilmMagic)
“And that was honestly what I kept thinking about [while filming]. I thought, “I can tell Elsie's story.” I can tell what happened to her and how it affected Dad, how a man giving up on a woman's life affects that man's son and how it destroyed his relationships with other women.”
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Jennifer's mother was more than 30 years younger. The marriage lasted from 1965 to 1968. The Oscar-nominated actress, 86, also served as an executive producer on “Archie.”
Jennifer said it was “healing” to see her parents’ love story on screen.
From left: Cary Grant, wife Dyan Cannon and their daughter Jennifer, 3 months old, just before boarding the SS Oriana, which is heading to England to visit Grant's mother. (Getty Images)
“This is something I wasn’t privy to,” she said. “Their relationship unfortunately fell apart, but I can understand why. They were such different people. Mom is just wild and says everything that comes to her mind. She is very free spirited and funny. My father was very reserved, quiet and private. So, you can understand why they are attracted to each other. But living together day after day? That wouldn't happen. So it was nice to see their romance.”
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When asked how her mother feels about her ex today, Jennifer replied: “I think the love is back.”
“It’s been long enough that time heals,” she said. “So, I think she's back in that loving space with him.”
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Jennifer Grant with her father Cary Grant, circa 1981. The actor died in 1986. (Budd Gray/WWD/Penske Media)
Jennifer was 20 when she lost her father. To this day, her memories of the actor are vivid.
“[I remember] “My dad took me to an Elton John concert at Dodger Stadium,” she said. “Back then, The Bump – the dance – was popular. And I taught him to dance The Bump.” So we did “The Bump” in the owner's box at Dodger Stadium. He was goofy and I had the pleasure of enjoying the later years of his life with him.
Jennifer Grant told Fox News Digital she still has vivid memories of her “wonderful” father. (Maureen Donaldson)
“I think the fact that he created himself is a miracle,” she said. “He was such a thoughtful, kind man. If he did something unkind, he couldn't sleep. He was a gentleman through and through. … I think what I want people to take away is that we can create ourselves. We can create miracles. … We don’t have to walk on water to be wonderful people.”
“Archie” is available to stream on BritBox. The Associated Press contributed to this report.