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Boston Globe (01/Dec/1986) - Cary Grant, epitome of the leading man

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Cary Grant, epitome of the leading man

LOS ANGELES — Cary Grant, the suave and charming leading man of some of Hollywood's finest films who died Saturday in Iowa, was remembered yesterday as a man of style and grace, an actor who had a romance with the camera.

"He was the most handsome, witty, and stylish leading man both on and off the screen. I adored him and it's a sad loss for all of us," said Oscar-winning actress Eva Marie Saint, who appeared with Mr. Grant in Alfred Hitchcock's thriller, "North By Northwest" in 1959.

President Reagan called his old friend "one of the brightest stars in Hollywood.

"His elegance, wit and charm will endure forever on film and in our hearts," Reagan said as he returned to Washington from his California ranch, where he had spent the Thanksgiving holiday.

The debonair leading man with the dimpled chin and clipped accent died at 11:22 p.m. CST Saturday in St. Luke's Hospital in Davenport, Iowa, where he was to appear in a 90-minute program that included a talk and clips from his movies. His fifth wife, Barbara, was at his side, hospital officials said.

Mr. Grant, 82, had appeared well at rehearsals that afternoon, then seemed to weaken, said Lois Jecklin, director of Visiting Artists, which sponsored "A Conversation with Cary Grant." His condition deteriorated rapidly and he died of a massive stroke.

"There will be no funeral," said Grant's lawyer, Stanley Fox. "The family wishes no service and no funeral is planned. Cremation is intended."

Grant's body was returned Sunday to Los Angeles, said Fox.

Word of Mr. Grant's death spread through the entertainment community on a day when Hollywood planned to celebrate at the annual Hollywood Christmas Parade.

Contemporaries and acquaintances saw Mr. Grant as one of Hollywood's most respected stars.

"I always thought and hoped that he was immortal," actor Jack Lemmon said. "It was not just his unique talent and style. His innate dignity and grace enhanced everyone fortunate enough to be a member of the same profession."

"Cary Grant was surely as unique as any film star and as important as anyone since Charlie Chaplin," said Charlton Heston. "What he did, he did better than anyone ever has or, perhaps, ever will. The only comfort we can take is we still have him on film."

Mr. Grant, who was born Archibald Leach in Bristol, England, held a variety of jobs before getting into films in 1932.

In 1937, he became an independent, and the most memorable roles of his career followed as he found a niche in such fast-moving "screwball comedies" as "The Awful Truth" and "Holiday" and in such male-dominated films as "Gunga Din" and "Only Angels Have Wings."

He filled the big screen with 72 movies until 1966, when his last film, "Walk, Don't Run," was released.