Stewart Granger, born James Lablache Stewart in 1913, was a British actor who enjoyed great success in Hollywood during the 1940s and 1950s. Granger was known for his dashing good looks, charming personality, and the sense of adventure he brought to his roles. Despite his success, however, Granger’s career was cut short, leaving him with an unfinished list of films he had hoped to make.
Granger got his start in the British film industry, working on various films during the 1930s. In 1943, he was signed by MGM Studios and moved to Hollywood, where he quickly became one of the studio’s top leading men. He appeared in several films during the 1940s, including “The Prisoner of Zenda” (1942) and “King Solomon’s Mines” (1950), both of which became box office hits.
Throughout the 1950s, Granger continued to work steadily in Hollywood, starring in films like “Scaramouche” (1952) and “Bhowani Junction” (1956). However, by the end of the decade, his popularity had begun to wane, and he found himself struggling to find work.
Granger’s career was further hindered by his reputation as a difficult actor to work with. He had a tendency to speak his mind and had a reputation for being a bit of a diva on set. This led to tension with studio executives and directors, who often found him challenging to work with.
Despite these challenges, Granger continued to work in the film industry, both in Hollywood and in Europe, throughout the 1960s and 1970s. However, by the 1980s, his career had slowed to a crawl, and he found himself struggling to get work.
In 1981, Granger was diagnosed with cancer. He underwent treatment but was unable to beat the disease, and he passed away in 1993 at the age of 80.
At the time of his death, Granger had a long list of films he had hoped to make, but which he was never able to complete. Some of these films included a remake of “The Prisoner of Zenda,” which he had hoped to produce himself, and a film adaptation of the novel “Vixen” by James Hadley Chase.
Despite never getting to finish his list of films, Granger left behind a lasting legacy in Hollywood. His good looks, charm, and sense of adventure continue to inspire and captivate audiences to this day.
Stewart Granger was married a total of five times throughout his life. His first marriage was to actress Elspeth March in 1938, with whom he had two children, but the marriage ended in 1948. He then married Jean Simmons in 1950, and the couple appeared in several films together, including “Adam and Evelyne” and “Young Bess.” However, the marriage was also troubled and ended in divorce in 1960.
After his divorce from Simmons, Granger was briefly married to Caroline LeCerf in 1961. The marriage only lasted a year, and he then married Princess Caroline Murat in 1964. The couple lived in Europe for several years before returning to the United States in the early 1970s. They eventually divorced in 1978.
Granger’s final marriage was to Maria del Carmen “Tica” Martinez-Bordiu, a Spanish aristocrat and the granddaughter of former Spanish dictator Francisco Franco. The couple married in 1983 and remained together until Granger’s death in 1993.
Aside from his marriages, Granger was known to have had several affairs throughout his career. He was rumored to have had relationships with co-stars like Deborah Kerr and Ava Gardner. In his autobiography, “Sparks Fly Upward,” Granger admitted to having had affairs with several women during his marriages.
Granger also had a passion for big game hunting and was known to have gone on several safaris throughout his life. In addition, he was an avid collector of antique firearms and amassed a large collection throughout his lifetime.
Despite his personal struggles and controversies, Stewart Granger remains a beloved figure in Hollywood history. His impressive filmography and undeniable talent have ensured that his legacy continues to live on.
