La société Historic England vient d’apposer une plaque bleue en l’honneur de Cary GRANT (Archie Leach, de son vrai nom ) sur la maison de son enfance à BRISTOL, pour honorer sa mémoire.
Archie LEACH est né à Bristol en 1904 et vécut au n°50, Berkeley Road, Bishopston. Il fréquenta le collège Fairfield Grammar School, mais s’enfuit à l’âge de 14 ans pour rejoindre une troupe d’acrobates. Il voyagea aux États Unis où il devint l’acteur célèbre de renommée mondiale que l’on connait en changeant son nom en Cary GRANT. Mais il resta attaché à Bristol et à ses origines toute sa vie.
Blue plaque honouring Cary Grant unveiled at his childhood home in Bristol
Cary Grant was born in the Horfield area of Bristol in 1904
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A national blue plaque celebrating the life and achievements of inspirational actor and film star Cary Grant is being unveiled at his early childhood home. It will shine a light on the rags to riches story of Archie Leach – the boy from Bristol who ran away from home at 14 and joined an acrobatic troupe.
He travelled to America and reinvented himself as Cary Grant, becoming one of the brightest stars that Hollywood has ever known. Grant was born in the Horfield area of Bristol in 1904 to a working-class family and escaped his unhappy poverty-stricken childhood by joining an acrobatic troupe.
With his signature tan, suave and sophisticated style, he was the consummate leading man who came to symbolise the authentic American hero. But despite his fame, Grant never forgot his roots in Bristol .
He visited regularly, returning to see his mother Elsie, and happily posed for publicity photos in his native city. The new blue plaque is being unveiled by Historic England at his early childhood home of 50 Berkeley Road, Bishopston. He moved there when he was four and lived there until 1909 or 1910.
The inscription on the plaque reads: CARY GRANT / (Archie Leach) /1904–1986 / Actor and Film Star / lived here / as a child. Barbara Jaynes, Grant’s widow, said: “Cary often spoke fondly of his childhood in Bristol , where his journey began.
New Cary Grant, blue plaque which will be unveiled, at his early childhood home 50 Berkeley Road, Bishopston, where he lived with his parents during the earlier, happier time in his childhood (Image: PA)
“He cherished the memories of his early years, and I can only imagine the joy he would have felt knowing that his roots would be commemorated in such a meaningful way. Cary’s charisma, talent, and charm captivated audiences worldwide, yet he always remained grounded and proud of his origins.
“He would have been delighted to see his childhood home recognised, serving as an inspiration for future generations to ‘dream big’ and pursue their passions. This national blue plaque is a beautiful tribute to his humble beginnings and the extraordinary path he forged in Hollywood and beyond.”
Jennifer Grant, Grant’s daughter, said: “My father would be thrilled to receive the honour of the national blue plaque placed on his home.”
