Blue plaque in Bristol honours actor Cary Grant in his home city

Politicians, movie enthusiasts, and local residents gathered to celebrate Cary Grant, originally named Archie Leach, who hails from Bristol.

A blue plaque honoring the legendary Hollywood star Cary Grant has been unveiled in his hometown.

A plaque honoring the actor from North By Northwest has been placed at his childhood home in Bishopston, Bristol, where he grew up with his parents.

Archie Leach, who would later become a famous star, was born in Horfield in 1904. He overcame a difficult upbringing marked by poverty and joined an acrobatic group when he was just 14 years old.

Barbara Jaynes, the widow of Mr. Grant, expressed, "He held dear the memories of his childhood, and I can only picture how happy he would have been to see his heritage honored in such a significant manner."

A blue plaque has been revealed at the house where Cary Grant grew up.

Historic England’s national blue plaque initiative brings to light individuals and communities whose stories have been overlooked or lost to time.

The new plaque celebrates Mr. Grant on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of his birth.

The prominent actor built a successful career in film over forty years in the United States, but he often went back to Bristol to see his mother, Elsie.

Arts and Tourism Minister Sir Chris Bryant and Duncan Wilson, the chief executive of Historic England, were among the attendees at the launch event held at 50 Berkeley Road.

Cary Grant's memorable airplane pursuit in Alfred Hitchcock's 1959 film North By Northwest.

Ms. Jaynes mentioned, "Cary frequently reminisced about his early years in Bristol, which was the starting point of his journey."

Cary's captivating personality, exceptional skills, and magnetic appeal won over audiences around the globe, but he never lost sight of his roots and took pride in where he came from.

He would have been thrilled to see his childhood house celebrated, acting as a motivation for future generations to aim high and follow their dreams.

"This national blue plaque serves as a lovely homage to his modest origins and the remarkable journey he created in Hollywood and beyond."

"Who Doesn't Want To Be Cary Grant?"

Sir Chris remarked, "Cary Grant represented the classic movie star image with unmatched elegance, charm, and a remarkable talent that rivals the expanse of the Atlantic Ocean, even surpassing many of his American contemporaries."

As he put it himself: "Everyone desires to be Cary Grant. I, too, want to be Cary Grant."

Even though the dazzling allure of Hollywood was tempting, his drive and resolve to succeed were deeply rooted in his upbringing in Bristol.

As one of the city's most respected figures, this blue plaque will enable the people of Bristol to honor his legacy and serve as a source of inspiration for aspiring actors and artists to pursue their dreams, no matter their situation.