Random Extremely Weird Facts Most People Don't Know About Cary Grant (18 items)

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  (#17) He Had To Change His Name

  When Archibald Leach was first offered a Hollywood contract, the studio wanted to change his name. Cary Lockwood, the name of a character he played on Broadway, was suggested, but the studio wanted something shorter: Cary Grant. Grant's stage name became part of his well-crafted public image, and he famously quipped, "Everyone wants to be Cary Grant. Even I want to be Cary Grant."

  Fun fact: John Cleese's character in A Fish Called Wanda is named Archie Leach in honor of Grant.
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  (#12) He Was Known As A Cheapskate

  Although he spent three years married to Barbara Hutton, heir to the Woolworth fortune and one of the world's richest women, Grant was said to be a cheapskate. Supposedly, he would charge his fans for autographs, mark milk bottles to make sure his staff was not helping themselves, and bill his house guests for their expenses.

  But his stinginess may have been exaggerated: Grant donated his paychecks from The Philadelphia Story and Arsenic And Old Lace to war efforts.
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  (#10) He Ran Away From Home To Become A Mime

  Around the age of 14, Grant took on odd jobs at a local theater, frequently skipping school to be there instead. When he discovered the Bob Pender Troupe of traveling performers, he ran away to join them. His father forced him to come home, but Grant purposely got himself expelled from school, supposedly for peeking into the girls' bathroom. He rejoined the troupe, performing as a mime and stilt walker and perfecting his comic timing.

  The troupe traveled to America when Grant was 16, and he left them to try his luck on his own.
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  (#18) He Inspired The Movie Version Of Clark Kent

  Christopher Reeve claimed that he based his version of Superman's Clark Kent on Grant's bumbling character in Bringing Up Baby. 

  The screwball comedy was not well-received upon its release but is now considered a classic.
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  (#1) He Was A Huge Supporter Of LSD

  At the height of his career, Grant was introduced to LSD by his third wife, and claimed he was saved by the substance. Perhaps the psychedelics gave the actor a little more insight into his conflicted sense of self, or maybe tripping on acid just made him feel good. Either way, he once commented, "During my LSD sessions, I would learn a great deal, and the result was a rebirth. I finally got where I wanted to go."

  Grant took an estimated 100 acid trips between 1958 and 1961. He was so dedicated to the therapy that he supposedly contacted Good Housekeeping magazine in order to spread the word about the benefits of LSD.
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  (#5) He Had Several Special Male Friends

  Grant's sexuality was often questioned throughout his life. Before his film career took off, Grant lived with costume designer Orry-Kelly off and on for nine years, and later with friend Randolph Scott for 12. A manuscript written by Orry-Kelly alluded to the fact that he and Grant had been lovers. But after Grant's popularity in Hollywood began to grow, he became more guarded about his personal life.

  In a book written about her father, Grant's daughter said, "Dad somewhat enjoyed being called gay. He said it made women want to prove the assertion wrong."

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