Your tip
Your tip
RadarOnlineRadarOnline
or
Sign in with lockrMail

'The Cary Grant I Knew' — Hollywood Hero's Best Friend Tells All About Silver Screen Icon's Love of Down-to-Earth Life After 'Male Lover' Scandal Erupted

Photo of Cary Grant
Source: MEGA

Cary Grant his personal secrets.

June 9 2025, Published 4:12 p.m. ET

RadarOnline CommentsLink to FacebookShare to XShare to FlipboardShare to Email

After spending decades as one of the biggest movie stars in the world, Cary Grant lived a quiet life in retirement.

However, RadarOnline.com has learned the Oscar nominee kept plenty of secrets from the world, including his attraction to other men.

Article continues below advertisement

cary grant
Source: MEGA

Rumors had long speculated Grant had relations with other men.

Grant, who died of a stroke in 1986 at age 82, left the spotlight to spend more time with his daughter Jennifer, who was born when he was 62.

"I live pretty quietly," he said in a 1987 interview. "But what does one expect a man of my age to do?"

Now, a close friend of the North-by-Northwest star has released a new book sharing never-before-told stories of the actor's later years.

Bill Royce, author of Cary Grant: The Wizard of Beverly Grove, shared the star loved magic and card games and had a juvenile sense of humor.

"He created a game called Doubtful Duos," Royce recalled, explaining the goal of the game was to match up unlikely celebrity couples with the same last name – like Betty White and Barry White. "It was childlike fun, and that's what he absolutely loved.

"It was a constant effort to keep things light, because there were shadows."

Article continues below advertisement

cary grant close bond randolph scott
Source: MEGA

A friend called Grant's sexuality 'fluid'.

Among them were questions about Grant's sexuality. Royce said he is often asked about his friend's sexual preference, which Grant told him was fluid.

"He compared it to acting," Royce explained. "Why would you want to play only one role your whole life? Why not explore all the roles that are out there?"

Grant was married – several times over with different female lovers. But Royce did finally confirm Grant had relationships with other men as well.

Article continues below advertisement

Split photo of Cary Grant, Randolph Scott
Source: MEGA

Randolph Scott helped mold Cary Grant into a legendary actor.

"The biggest rumors were about Randolph Scott," he said, referring to Grant's old roommate before he was a star. "Cary became what he called 'besotted' with him. (But) Scott was not gay."

They met while making Hot Saturday in 1932. The two men could not have been more different, with Scott hailing from a wealthy family in North Carolina, where he attended private schools, participating in swimming and horseback riding.

"Cary didn't want to lose a friend, so he stopped (pursuing him). They stayed friends for the rest of their lives and used to go to Dodgers baseball games together."

READ MORE ON Celebrity

Radar Logo

Never Miss an

Exclusive

Daily updates from the heart of Hollywood, right to your inbox

By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you’re agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

cary grant you never knew how hollywood giant struggled with familys dark secrets cary granbt wife barabra
Source: MEGA

Grant passed away in 1986.

The star was married a total of five times. However, he welcomed just one child, a daughter named Jennifer, with his fourth wife, Dyan Cannon.

He also tied the knot with Virginia Cherrill, Barbara Hutton, Betsy Drake and Barbara Harris.

Grant's widow, Harris shared: "I think the birth of Jennifer brought him great love, and I think the relationship we had brought him peace."

She added: "Most of the people that truly knew him commented that he was a much happier person in the later part of his life."

Like her famous father, Jennifer grew up to be an actor best known for appearances in shows like Beverly Hills, 90210 and Movie Stars.

Opt-out of personalized ads

© Copyright 2025 RADAR ONLINE™️. A DIVISION OF MYSTIFY ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK INC. RADAR ONLINE is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Offers may be subject to change without notice.