Who says an unusual name condemns you to a lifetime of anonymity? Just ask Archibald Leach, or as he’s probably better known (to your parents at least), Cary Grant.
Sure, so he changed his name to fit on those billboards a little better, but he’s really no different than Marion Morrison, Maurice Micklewhite, Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. , or Truman Streckfus Persons, all of whom found catchier names to use in their professional lives.
Not too many actors of today could pull off the old pipe pose.
Grant was of course one of the biggest movie stars of the 20th century, working on both sides of the Atlantic, which probably was a leading cause of his famous accent – not quite English, not quite American. But audiences didn’t mind, and ol’ Archibald was elected the “greatest movie star of our time” by Premiere magazine in 2005.
I’d have done him! just a bit before my time though.
Haha, great comment!
I have always like Archie’s style and he was the best at comedic understatement.
I totally agree with you. It’s a rare skill to have!
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