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Stewart Granger (born James Lablache Stewart; 6 May 1913 – 16 August 1993) was a British film actor, mainly associated with heroic and romantic leading roles. He was a popular leading man from the 1940s to the early 1960s, rising to fame through his appearances in the Gainsborough melodramas.


Early life

He was born James Lablache Stewart in Old Brompton Road,
Kensington Kensington is a district in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in the West of Central London. The district's commercial heart is Kensington High Street, running on an east–west axis. The north-east is taken up by Kensington Garden ...
, West London, the only son of
Major Major ( commandant in certain jurisdictions) is a military rank of commissioned officer status, with corresponding ranks existing in many military forces throughout the world. When used unhyphenated and in conjunction with no other indicato ...
James Stewart, OBE and his wife Frederica Eliza (née Lablache). Granger was educated at
Epsom College Epsom College is a co-educational independent school on Epsom Downs, Surrey, England, for pupils aged 11 to 18. It was founded in 1853 as a boys' school to provide support for poor members of the medical profession such as pensioners and orp ...
and the
Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art Webber may refer to: * Webber, Kansas, a US city *Webber Township, Jefferson County, Illinois, USA *Webber Township, Lake County, Michigan, USA *Webber International University, in Babson Park, Florida, USA *Webber (surname) Webber (/ˈwɛbər/) ...
. He was the great-great-grandson of the opera singer Luigi Lablache and the grandson of the actor Luigi Lablache. Stewart Granger lived in Bournemouth at 57 Grove Road with his mother. His mother owned the property now called "East Cliff Cottage Hotel" until 1979. When he became an actor, he was advised to change his name in order to avoid being confused with the American actor
James Stewart James Maitland Stewart (May 20, 1908 – July 2, 1997) was an American actor and military pilot. Known for his distinctive drawl and everyman screen persona, Stewart's film career spanned 80 films from 1935 to 1991. With the strong morality ...
. Granger was his Scottish grandmother's maiden name. Offscreen friends and colleagues continued to call him Jimmy for the rest of his life, but to the general public he became Stewart Granger.


Early career


Extra and theatre work 1933–1940

Granger made his film debut as an extra in 1933, starting with '' The Song You Gave Me'' (1933). He can also be glimpsed in '' Give Her a Ring'' (1933), ''
Over the Garden Wall ''Over the Garden Wall'' is an American animated television miniseries created by Patrick McHale for Cartoon Network. The series centers on two half-brothers who travel across a mysterious forest to find their way home, encountering a variet ...
'' (1934) and ''
A Southern Maid ''A Southern Maid'' is an operetta in three acts composed by Harold Fraser-Simson, with a book by Dion Clayton Calthrop and Harry Graham and lyrics by Harry Graham and Harry Miller. Additional music was provided by Ivor Novello and George H. ...
'' (1934). It was at this time that he met Michael Wilding and they remained friends until Wilding's death in 1979. Years of theatre work followed, initially at Hull Repertory Theatre and then, after a pay dispute, at Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Here he met Elspeth March, a leading actress with the company, who became his first wife. His productions at Birmingham included ''The Courageous Sex'' and ''Victoria, Queen and Empress''; he also acted at the Malvern Festival in '' The Millionairess'' and ''
The Apple Cart ''The Apple Cart: A Political Extravaganza'' is a 1928 play by George Bernard Shaw. It is a satirical comedy about several political philosophies which are expounded by the characters, often in lengthy monologues. The plot follows the fictional ...
'' and was in the movie '' Under Secret Orders'' (1937). Granger began to get work on stage in London. He appeared in ''The Sun Never Sets'' (1938) at the Drury Lane Theatre and in ''Serena Blandish'' (1938) opposite Vivien Leigh. At the Buxton Festival, he played Tybalt in a production of ''
Romeo and Juliet ''Romeo and Juliet'' is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare early in his career about the romance between two Italian youths from feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular plays during his lifetime and, along with ''Ham ...
'' opposite
Robert Donat Friedrich Robert Donat (18 March 1905 – 9 June 1958) was an English actor. He is best remembered for his roles in Alfred Hitchcock's '' The 39 Steps'' (1935) and ''Goodbye, Mr. Chips'' (1939), winning for the latter the Academy Award for ...
and Constance Cummings. He also acted opposite them both in ''The Good Natured Man''. In London he was in ''Autumn'' with Flora Robson and ''The House in the Square'' (1940). Granger had small roles in the movies '' So This Is London'' (1939) and '' Convoy'' (1940).


War service and after 1940–1943

At the outbreak of the Second World War, Granger enlisted in the Gordon Highlanders, then transferred to the Black Watch with the rank of second lieutenant. However he suffered from stomach ulcers and he was invalided out of the army in 1942. Granger had a small role in the war movie '' Secret Mission'' (1942) and a bigger one in a comedy '' Thursday's Child'' (1943). He was in a stage production of ''Rebecca'' when he was asked to audition for the film that turned him into a star. Granger had been recommended by Donat, who most recently worked with Granger on stage in ''To Dream Again''.


Stardom


Gainsborough melodramas 1943–1946

Granger's first starring film role was as the acid-tongued Rokeby in the Gainsborough Pictures period melodrama ''
The Man in Grey ''The Man in Grey'' is a 1943 British film melodrama made by Gainsborough Pictures; it is considered to be the first of a series of period costume dramas now known as the "Gainsborough melodramas". It was directed by Leslie Arliss and produc ...
'' (1943), a movie that helped to make him and his three co-stars – James Mason, Phyllis Calvert and
Margaret Lockwood Margaret Mary Day Lockwood, CBE (15 September 1916 – 15 July 1990), was an English actress. One of Britain's most popular film stars of the 1930s and 1940s, her film appearances included ''The Lady Vanishes'' (1938), ''Night Train to Munich' ...
– box-office names in Britain. Granger followed it with '' The Lamp Still Burns'' (1943), playing the love interest of nurse
Rosamund John Rosamund John (19 October 1913 – 27 October 1998), born Nora Rosamund Jones, was an English film and stage actress. Early life She was born and brought up in Tottenham in North London, the daughter of Frederick Henry Jones, a wine merchant' ...
. More popular was '' Fanny by Gaslight'' (1944), another for Gainsborough Pictures, which reunited him with Calvert and Mason, and added Jean Kent. ''The New York Times'' reported that Granger "is a young man worth watching. The customers... like his dark looks and his dash; he puts them in mind, they say of
Cary Grant Cary Grant (born Archibald Alec Leach; January 18, 1904November 29, 1986) was an English-American actor. He was known for his Mid-Atlantic accent, debonair demeanor, light-hearted approach to acting, and sense of comic timing. He was one of ...
." It was the second most popular movie at the British box office in 1944. Another hit was ''
Love Story Love Story or A Love Story may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Genres * Romance (love) ** Romance film ** Romance novel Films * ''Love Story'' (1925 film), German silent film * ''Love Story'' (1942 film), Italian drama film * ''Love ...
'' (1944), where he plays a blind pilot who falls in love with terminally ill Margaret Lockwood, with Patricia Roc co-starring. Granger filmed this at the same time as '' Waterloo Road'' (1945), playing his first villain, a "spiv" who has run off with the wife of
John Mills Sir John Mills (born Lewis Ernest Watts Mills; 22 February 190823 April 2005) was an English actor who appeared in more than 120 films in a career spanning seven decades. He excelled on camera as an appealing British everyman who often portray ...
. This movie was popular too, and it was one of Granger's favourites. ''
Madonna of the Seven Moons ''Madonna of the Seven Moons'' is a 1945 British drama film directed by Arthur Crabtree for Gainsborough Pictures and starring Phyllis Calvert, Stewart Granger and Patricia Roc. The film was produced by Rubeigh James Minney, with cinematography ...
'' (1945), with Calvert and Roc, was more Gainsborough melodrama, another hit. Also popular was '' Caesar and Cleopatra'', supporting Claude Rains and Vivien Leigh; this movie lost money because of its high production cost but was widely seen, and was the first of Granger's movies to be a hit in the U.S. At the end of 1945 British exhibitors voted Granger the second most popular British film star, and the ninth most popular overall. ''
The Times ''The Times'' is a British daily national newspaper based in London. It began in 1785 under the title ''The Daily Universal Register'', adopting its current name on 1 January 1788. ''The Times'' and its sister paper '' The Sunday Times'' ( ...
'' reported that "this six-foot black-visaged ex-soldier from the Black Watch is England's Number One pin up boy. Only
Bing Crosby Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby Jr. (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American singer, musician and actor. The first multimedia star, he was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century worldwide. He was a ...
can match him for popularity." ''
Caravan Caravan or caravans may refer to: Transport and travel *Caravan (travellers), a group of travellers journeying together **Caravanserai, a place where a caravan could stop *Camel train, a convoy using camels as pack animals *Convoy, a group of veh ...
'' (1946), starring Granger and Kent, was the sixth most popular movie at the British box office in 1946. Also well liked was '' The Magic Bow'' (1946), with Calvert and Kent, where Granger played Niccolò Paganini That year he was voted the third most popular British star, and the sixth most popular overall.


Rank Organisation 1947–1949

Granger went over to Rank, for whom he made a series of historical dramas: '' Captain Boycott'' (1947), set in Ireland, directed by
Frank Launder Frank Launder (28 January 1906 – 23 February 1997) was a British writer, film director and producer, who made more than 40 films, many of them in collaboration with Sidney Gilliat. Early life and career He was born in Hitchin, Hertfordshire ...
; '' Blanche Fury'' (1948), with
Valerie Hobson Babette Louisa Valerie Hobson (14 April 1917 – 13 November 1998) was a British actress whose film career spanned the 1930s to the early 1950s. Her second husband was John Profumo, a British government minister who became the subject of the Pro ...
; and '' Saraband for Dead Lovers'' (1948), an
Ealing Studios Ealing Studios is a television and film production company and facilities provider at Ealing Green in West London. Will Barker bought the White Lodge on Ealing Green in 1902 as a base for film making, and films have been made on the site ever ...
production. Granger was cast as the outsider, the handsome gambler Philip Christoph von Königsmarck who is perceived as 'not quite the ticket' by the established order, the Hanoverian court where the action is mostly set. Granger stated that this was one of his few movies of which he was proud. However it was a disappointment at the box office, as was ''Blanche Fury''. Granger wanted a change of pace and so appeared in '' Woman Hater'' (1948), a comedy with
Edwige Feuillère Edwige Feuillère (born Edwige Louise Caroline Cunatti; October 29, 1907 – November 13, 1998) was a French stage and film actress. Biography She was born Edwige Louise Caroline Cunatti to an Italian architect father and an Alsace-born mo ...
. In 1949, Granger was reported as earning around £30,000 a year. That year Granger made '' Adam and Evelyne'', starring with
Jean Simmons Jean Merilyn Simmons, (31 January 1929 – 22 January 2010) was a British actress and singer. One of J. Arthur Rank's "well-spoken young starlets", she appeared predominantly in films, beginning with those made in Great Britain during and aft ...
. The story, about a much older man and a teenager whom he gradually realises is no longer a child but a young woman with mature emotions and sexuality, had obvious parallels to Granger's and Simmons' own lives. Granger had first met the young Jean Simmons when they both worked on Gabriel Pascal's '' Caesar and Cleopatra'' (1945). Three years later, Simmons had transformed from a promising newcomer into a star. They married the following year in a bizarre wedding ceremony organised by
Howard Hughes Howard Robard Hughes Jr. (December 24, 1905 – April 5, 1976) was an American business magnate, record-setting pilot, engineer, film producer, and philanthropist, known during his lifetime as one of the most influential and richest people in t ...
: One of his private aircraft flew the couple to Tucson, Arizona, where they were married, mainly among strangers, with Michael Wilding as Granger's best man. Granger's stage production of
Leo Tolstoy Count Lev Nikolayevich TolstoyTolstoy pronounced his first name as , which corresponds to the romanization ''Lyov''. () (; russian: link=no, Лев Николаевич Толстой,In Tolstoy's day, his name was written as in pre-refor ...
's ''
The Power of Darkness ''The Power of Darkness'' (russian: Власть тьмы, Vlast′ t′my) is a five- act drama by Leo Tolstoy. Written in 1886, the play's production was forbidden in Russia until 1902, mainly through the influence of Konstantin Pobedonostsev. ...
'' (a venture he had intended as a vehicle for him to star with Jean Simmons) was very poorly received when it opened in London at the Lyric Theatre on 25 April 1949. During the run, two men attempted to cut some locks from Granger's hair. The disappointment added to his dissatisfaction with the Rank Organisation, and his thoughts turned to Hollywood.


American career


MGM 1950–1957

In 1949 Granger made his move; MGM was looking for someone to play
H. Rider Haggard Sir Henry Rider Haggard (; 22 June 1856 – 14 May 1925) was an English writer of adventure fiction romances set in exotic locations, predominantly Africa, and a pioneer of the lost world literary genre. He was also involved in land reform t ...
's hero Allan Quatermain in a movie version of ''
King Solomon's Mines ''King Solomon's Mines'' (1885) is a popular novel by the English Victorian adventure writer and fabulist Sir H. Rider Haggard. It tells of a search of an unexplored region of Africa by a group of adventurers led by Allan Quatermain for the ...
''.
Errol Flynn Errol Leslie Thomson Flynn (20 June 1909 – 14 October 1959) was an Australian-American actor who achieved worldwide fame during the Classical Hollywood cinema, Golden Age of Hollywood. He was known for his romantic swashbuckler roles, freque ...
was offered the role but turned it down; Granger's signing was announced in August 1949. On the basis of the huge success of this movie, released in 1950 and co-starring
Deborah Kerr Deborah Jane Trimmer CBE (30 September 192116 October 2007), known professionally as Deborah Kerr (), was a British actress. She was nominated six times for the Academy Award for Best Actress. During her international film career, Kerr won a ...
and Richard Carlson, he was offered a seven-year contract by MGM. He signed it in May 1950, and MGM announced three vehicles for him: ''Robinson Crusoe'', a remake of ''Scaramouche'' and an adaptations of ''Soldiers Three''. His first movie under the new arrangement was an action comedy ''
Soldiers Three ''Soldiers Three'' is a collection of short stories by Rudyard Kipling. The three soldiers of the title are Learoyd, Mulvaney and Ortheris, who had also appeared previously in the collection ''Plain Tales from the Hills''. The current version, ...
'' (1951). Granger followed it with location work for ''Constable Pedley'' in Canada. This was put on hold so Granger could make a light comedy, '' The Light Touch'', in a role meant for
Cary Grant Cary Grant (born Archibald Alec Leach; January 18, 1904November 29, 1986) was an English-American actor. He was known for his Mid-Atlantic accent, debonair demeanor, light-hearted approach to acting, and sense of comic timing. He was one of ...
. It was a box office disappointment. However filming resumed on ''Constable Pedley'' which became ''
The Wild North ''The Wild North'' (also known as ''The Big North'', ''Constable Pedley'', ''The Constable Pedley Story'', ''The Wild North Country'' and ''North Country'') is a 1952 American Western film directed by Andrew Marton and starring Stewart Gran ...
'' (1953) and that was a big hit. In 1952, Granger starred in ''
Scaramouche Scaramouche () or Scaramouch (; from Italian Scaramuccia , literally "little skirmisher") is a stock clown character of the 16th-century commedia dell'arte (comic theatrical arts of Italian literature). The role combined characteristics of the ...
'' in the role of Andre Moreau, the bastard son of a French nobleman, a part Ramón Novarro had played in the 1923 version of
Rafael Sabatini Rafael Sabatini (29 April 1875 – 13 February 1950) was an Italian-born British writer of romance and adventure novels. He is best known for his worldwide bestsellers: '' The Sea Hawk'' (1915), ''Scaramouche'' (1921), ''Captain Blood'' (a.k. ...
's novel. Granger's co-star Eleanor Parker said Granger was the only actor she did not get along with during her entire career. "Everyone disliked this man...Stewart Granger was a dreadful person, rude...just awful. Just being in his presence was bad. I thought at one point the crew was going to kill him." However, the resulting movie was a notable critical and commercial success. After this came the remake of '' The Prisoner of Zenda'' (1952), for which his theatrical voice, stature (6'2") and dignified profile made him a natural. It too was popular. In 1952 he and Jean Simmons sued
Howard Hughes Howard Robard Hughes Jr. (December 24, 1905 – April 5, 1976) was an American business magnate, record-setting pilot, engineer, film producer, and philanthropist, known during his lifetime as one of the most influential and richest people in t ...
for $250,000 damages arising from an alleged breach of contract. The case was settled out of court. Columbia borrowed him to play the love interest of Rita Hayworth in ''
Salome Salome (; he, שְלוֹמִית, Shlomit, related to , "peace"; el, Σαλώμη), also known as Salome III, was a Jewish princess, the daughter of Herod II, son of Herod the Great, and princess Herodias, granddaughter of Herod the Great, a ...
'' (1953), another big hit. Back at MGM he co-starred with his wife in ''
Young Bess ''Young Bess'' is a 1953 Technicolor biographical film made by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer about the early life of Elizabeth I, from her turbulent childhood to the eve of her accession to the throne of England. It stars Jean Simmons as Elizabeth and St ...
'' (1953), playing Thomas Seymour. The movie was popular, though it did not recover its cost, and it remained a favourite of Granger's. He had a commercial success in ''
All the Brothers Were Valiant ''All the Brothers Were Valiant'' is a 1953 Technicolor adventure drama film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and directed by Richard Thorpe. The film's screenplay was written by Harry Brown and based on the 1919 novel '' All the Brothers Were Va ...
'' (1953), playing a villain opposite Robert Taylor. Granger lost the role in '' A Star Is Born'', which went to
James Mason James Neville Mason (; 15 May 190927 July 1984) was an English actor. He achieved considerable success in British cinema before becoming a star in Hollywood. He was the top box-office attraction in the UK in 1944 and 1945; his British films inc ...
. He had the title role in ''
Beau Brummell George Bryan "Beau" Brummell (7 June 1778 – 30 March 1840) was an important figure in Regency England and, for many years, the arbiter of men's fashion. At one time, he was a close friend of the Prince Regent, the future King George IV, but ...
'' (1954), opposite Elizabeth Taylor, and it was a box-office disappointment. More successful was the adventure story '' Green Fire'' (1954), co starring Grace Kelly. Granger went to Britain to make ''
Footsteps in the Fog ''Footsteps in the Fog'' is a 1955 British Technicolor film noir crime film starring Stewart Granger and Jean Simmons, with a screenplay co-written by Lenore Coffee and Dorothy Davenport, and released by Columbia Pictures. The film is based o ...
'' (1955), a movie with Simmons, for Columbia. Back at MGM, he was in '' Moonfleet'' (1955), cast as adventurer Jeremy Fox in the
Dorset Dorset ( ; archaically: Dorsetshire , ) is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The ceremonial county comprises the unitary authority areas of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and Dorset. Covering an area of , ...
of 1757, a man who rules a gang of cut-throat smugglers with an iron fist until he is softened by a 10-year-old boy who worships him and who believes only the best of him. The film was directed by
Fritz Lang Friedrich Christian Anton Lang (; December 5, 1890 – August 2, 1976), known as Fritz Lang, was an Austrian film director, screenwriter, and producer who worked in Germany and later the United States.Obituary '' Variety'', August 4, 1976, p. ...
and produced by John Houseman, a former associate of
Orson Welles George Orson Welles (May 6, 1915 – October 10, 1985) was an American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter, known for his innovative work in film, radio and theatre. He is considered to be among the greatest and most influential f ...
. It was a flop. Granger and Taylor were reunited in '' The Last Hunt'' (1956), a Western, with Taylor playing the villain, and a box office disappointment. So too was '' Bhowani Junction'' (1956), adapted from a John Masters novel about colonial India on the verge of obtaining independence. Ava Gardner played an Anglo-Indian (mixed race) woman caught between the two worlds of the British and the Indians, and Granger the British officer with whom (in a change from the novel) she ultimately fell in love. Gardner was teamed with Granger in '' The Little Hut'' (1957), a sex farce that proved a surprise smash at the box office. He followed it with '' Gun Glory'' (1957). It was his last movie under his MGM contract, which ended September 10, 1957. Granger had turned down the role of Messala in the 1959 film '' Ben-Hur'', reportedly because he did not want to take second billing to
Charlton Heston Charlton Heston (born John Charles Carter; October 4, 1923April 5, 2008) was an American actor and political activist. As a Hollywood star, he appeared in almost 100 films over the course of 60 years. He played Moses in the epic film ''The Ten ...
.


Leaving MGM 1957–1960

Granger had become a successful cattle rancher. He bought land in New Mexico and Arizona and introduced
Charolais cattle The Charolais () or Charolaise () is a French breed of taurine beef cattle. It originates in, and is named for, the Charolais area surrounding Charolles, in the Saône-et-Loire department, in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of eastern F ...
to America. In order to finance this he kept acting. He played a professional adventurer in '' Harry Black'' (1958), partly shot in India. He went to Britain to be in a thriller '' The Whole Truth'' (1958) for Romulus, for whom he was to make ''The Nightcomers'' but it never was filmed. He returned to Los Angeles to support John Wayne in '' North to Alaska'' (1960). By now his marriage to Simmons had ended, and Granger decided to move to Europe.


Later career


Continental European career 1960–1969

In June 1960, Granger announced he would appear in ''The Leopard''; two movies for MGM in Britain, one of which was '' I Thank a Fool'' alongside
Susan Hayward Susan Hayward (born Edythe Marrenner; June 30, 1917 – March 14, 1975) was an American film actress, best known for her film portrayals of women that were based on true stories. After working as a fashion model for the Walter Thornton Model A ...
; ''Pontius Pilate'' for Hugo Fregonese; and ''The Tumbled House'' for
John Farrow John Villiers Farrow, KGCHS (10 February 190427 January 1963) was an Australian film director, producer, and screenwriter. Spending a considerable amount of his career in the United States, in 1942 he was nominated for the Academy Award for B ...
. The role in ''The Leopard'' ultimately went to Burt Lancaster, the one in ''I Thank a Fool'' to Peter Finch, and the Fregonese and Farrow movies were never made. Granger did go to Britain to appear in the thriller '' The Secret Partner'' (1961) for MGM. He went to Italy and played Lot in
Robert Aldrich Robert Burgess Aldrich (August 9, 1918 – December 5, 1983) was an American film director, producer, and screenwriter. His notable credits include '' Vera Cruz'' (1954), '' Kiss Me Deadly'' (1955), '' The Big Knife'' (1955), '' Autumn ...
's ''
Sodom and Gomorrah Sodom and Gomorrah () were two legendary biblical cities destroyed by God for their wickedness. Their story parallels the Genesis flood narrative in its theme of God's anger provoked by man's sin (see Genesis 19:1–28). They are mentioned frequ ...
'' (1962), filmed in Rome. When ''Sodom'' started filming, Granger announced he had signed a three-picture deal with MGM, which would include '' I Thank a Fool'', '' Swordsman of Siena'' and a third movie for
Jacques Bar Jacques Bar (12 September 1921, Châteauroux – 19 January 2009, Boulogne-Billancourt) was a French film producer who made more than 80 films. Select credits * ''Branquignol'' (1949) * ''My Seal and Them'' (1951) * ''The Adventures of Mandrin'' ...
. He also announced he had reactivated his production company, Tracy Productions, which was scheduled to make ''Dark Memory'' by
Jonathan Latimer Jonathan Wyatt Latimer (October 23, 1906 – June 23, 1983) was an American crime writer known his novels and screenplays. Before becoming an author, Latimer was a journalist in Chicago. Early life and education Born in Chicago, Illinois, ...
. Granger did not appear in ''I Thank a Fool'', and ''Dark Memory'' was not made. Instead Granger stayed in Italy to make '' Commando'' (1962), an action movie and '' Swordsman of Siena'' (1963), a swashbuckler. Granger was in the war movie '' The Secret Invasion'' (1964) for Roger Corman shot in Yugoslavia. In West Germany, Granger acted in the role of Old Surehand in three Western movies adapted from novels by German author Karl May, with French actor
Pierre Brice Pierre-Louis Le Bris (6 February 1929 – 6 June 2015), known as Pierre Brice, was a French actor, best known as portraying fictional Apache-chief Winnetou in German films based on Karl May novels. Life and films Brice was born in Brest, Bri ...
(playing the fictional Indian chief Winnetou), in ''
Among Vultures ''Among Vultures'' (German: ''Unter Geiern'') is a 1964 Western film directed by Alfred Vohrer and starring Stewart Granger, Pierre Brice, Elke Sommer and Götz George. It was also released as ''Frontier Hellcat''. The film was a co-production ...
'' (1964), with
Elke Sommer Elke Sommer (; born Elke Baronin von Schletz, 5 November 1940) is a German actress. She appeared in numerous films in her heyday throughout the 1960s and 1970s, including roles in '' The Pink Panther'' sequel '' A Shot in the Dark'' (1964), th ...
; ''
The Oil Prince The Oil Prince (German: ''Der Ölprinz'') is a 1965 West German-Yugoslav western film directed by Harald Philipp and starring Stewart Granger, Pierre Brice and Harald Leipnitz. It was also known as ''Rampage at Apache Wells''. The screenplay is ...
'' (1965) (''Rampage at Apache Wells'') (1965), shot in Yugoslavia; and ''
Old Surehand ''Old Surehand'' (german: Old Surehand 1. Teil, also known as ''Flaming Frontier'') is a 1965 German Western film starring Stewart Granger, Pierre Brice and Letitia Roman. The film is based on a novel by Karl May. It was shot at the Spanda ...
'' (''Flaming Frontier'') (1965). He was teamed with Brice and Lex Barker, also a hero of Karl May movies, in the crime movie ''
Gern hab' ich die Frauen gekillt ''Killer's Carnival'' (french: Carnaval des barbouzes, german: Gern hab' ich die Frauen gekillt, it, Spie contro il mondo) is a 1966 crime film directed by Alberto Cardone and starring Stewart Granger. Plot A murderer takes refuge in a doctor ...
'' (''Killer's Carnival'') (1966). Granger starred in several Eurospy movies such as '' Red Dragon'' (1965), a West Germany-Italian movie shot in Hong Kong; and ''
Requiem for a Secret Agent ''Requiem for a Secret Agent'' (also known as ''Requiem per un agente segreto'') is an Italian international co-production Eurospy film. It was co-produced with Spain (where it was released as ''Consigna: Tánger 67'') and West Germany (where it w ...
'' (1966). He did ''
The Crooked Road ''The Crooked Road'' is a 1965 British film directed and co-written by Don Chaffey. It stars Stewart Granger, Robert Ryan, and Janet Munro. The film is based on the 1957 novel ''The Big Story'' by Morris West. An American journalist ( Robert ...
'' (1965), with Robert Ryan under the direction of Don Chaffey in Yugoslavia; '' Target for Killing'' (1966), a crime movie with
Karin Dor Karin Dor (, born Kätherose Derr; 22 February 1938 – 6 November 2017) was a German actress. She was famous to international audiences for her role as Bond girl Helga Brandt in the James Bond film '' You Only Live Twice'' (1967) and her appear ...
; '' The Trygon Factor'' (1966), a British co-production based on a novel by Edgar Wallace. Granger's last studio picture was ''
The Last Safari ''The Last Safari'' is a 1967 British adventure film directed by Henry Hathaway. It stars Kaz Garas and Stewart Granger. It was based on the 1962 novel, '' Gilligan's Last Elephant'' by Gerald Hanley. Plot Miles Gilchrist (Stewart Granger) is ...
'' (1967), shot in Africa and directed by Henry Hathaway. Granger was billed under Kaz Garas. He later called this "my last real film...the worst film ever made in Africa!"MacFarlane 1997, p. 230. In 1970, he described his recent movies as "movies not even I will talk about". He later estimated that he made more than $1.5 million in the 1960s but lost all of it.Stewart Granger plans his return—as actor, not star ''Chicago Tribune'' 26 November 1981: e10


U.S. television

Granger returned to the U.S. and made a TV movie '' Any Second Now'' (1969). In 1970, he appeared as Colonial Mackenzie on the TV western series ''The Men from Shiloh'' in the episode titled "Colonial Mackenzie Versus the West". ''The Men from Shiloh'' was previously known as '' The Virginian''. The new version changed the costumes and added moustaches and beards to some of the characters, making the actors look more dashing and realistic for the time. He followed actors Lee J. Cobb, Charles Bickford and
John McIntire John Herrick McIntire (June 27, 1907 – January 30, 1991) was an American character actor who appeared in 65 theatrical films and many television series. McIntire is well known for having replaced Ward Bond, upon Bond's sudden death in Novem ...
as the new owner of the Shiloh ranch on prime-time TV for its ninth year (1971). Granger said he accepted the role for money and because it "seemed like it could be a lot of fun", but was disappointed by the lack of character development for his role. He played
Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes () is a fictional detective created by British author Arthur Conan Doyle. Referring to himself as a " consulting detective" in the stories, Holmes is known for his proficiency with observation, deduction, forensic science and ...
in a poorly received 1972 TV film version of ''
The Hound of the Baskervilles ''The Hound of the Baskervilles'' is the third of the four crime novels by British writer Arthur Conan Doyle featuring the detective Sherlock Holmes. Originally serialised in ''The Strand Magazine'' from August 1901 to April 1902, it is set ...
''.


Retirement

In the 1970s, Granger retired from acting and went to live in southern Spain, where he invested in real estate and resided in Estepona, Málaga. While living there, he became a friend and business partner of former
barrister A barrister is a type of lawyer in common law jurisdictions. Barristers mostly specialise in courtroom advocacy and litigation. Their tasks include taking cases in superior courts and tribunals, drafting legal pleadings, researching law and givin ...
and television producer James Todesco ('' Eldorado'' TV series). Together they were involved in real estate investment and development. He appeared in ''
The Wild Geese ''The Wild Geese'' is a 1978 war film directed by Andrew V. McLaglen and starring Richard Burton, Roger Moore, Richard Harris, and Hardy Krüger. The screenplay concerns a group of mercenaries in Africa. It was the result of a long-held ambit ...
'' (1978) as an unscrupulous banker who hires a unit of mercenary soldiers ( Richard Burton,
Roger Moore Sir Roger George Moore (14 October 192723 May 2017) was an English actor. He was the third actor to portray fictional British secret agent James Bond in the Eon Productions film series, playing the character in seven feature films between 1 ...
, Richard Harris and others) to stage a military coup in an African nation. His character then makes a deal with the existing government, and betrays the mercenaries. In 1980, he was diagnosed with
lung cancer Lung cancer, also known as lung carcinoma (since about 98–99% of all lung cancers are carcinomas), is a malignant lung tumor characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. Lung carcinomas derive from transformed, mali ...
and was told he had three months to live. Granger later said "I was 67 and had smoked 60 cigarettes a day for 40 years, but the doctor said if I had an operation there might be a chance of two to four more years of life. So I said "Who the hell needs that? But you better give me three months to put my house in order.'" Granger underwent the operation, had a lung and a rib removed, only to be informed he didn't have cancer after all – he had
tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease usually caused by '' Mycobacterium tuberculosis'' (MTB) bacteria. Tuberculosis generally affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body. Most infections show no symptoms, ...
. He was the subject of ''
This Is Your Life This Is Your Life may refer to: Television * ''This Is Your Life'' (American franchise), an American radio and television documentary biography series hosted by Ralph Edwards * ''This Is Your Life'' (Australian TV series), the Australian versio ...
'' in 1980 when he was surprised by
Eamonn Andrews Eamonn Andrews, (19 December 1922 – 5 November 1987) was an Irish radio and television presenter, employed primarily in the United Kingdom from the 1950s to the 1980s. From 1960 to 1964 he chaired the Radio Éireann Authority (now the RTÉ A ...
at the New London Theatre.


Return to acting

He returned to acting in 1981 with the publication of his autobiography ''Sparks Fly Upward'', claiming he was bored. Granger spent the last decade of his life appearing on stage and television including playing Prince Philip in ''
The Royal Romance of Charles and Diana ''The Royal Romance of Charles and Diana'' is a 1982 American made-for-television biographical drama film that depicts the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. The film was directed by Peter Levin and starred Catherine Oxenberg, Chris ...
'' (1982), a guest role in the TV series in '' The Fall Guy'' starring Lee Majors, and as a suspect in '' Murder She Wrote'' in 1985. He even starred in a German soap-opera titled '' Das Erbe der Guldenburgs'' (The Guldenburg Heritage) (1987). He moved to Pacific Palisades, California. One of his later roles was in the 1989–1990 Broadway production of '' The Circle'' by
W. Somerset Maugham William Somerset Maugham ( ; 25 January 1874 – 16 December 1965) was an English writer, known for his plays, novels and short stories. Born in Paris, where he spent his first ten years, Maugham was schooled in England and went to a German un ...
, opposite Glynis Johns and Rex Harrison in Harrison's final role. The production actually opened at
Duke University Duke University is a private research university in Durham, North Carolina. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present-day city of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco and electric power industrialist Jam ...
for a three-week run, followed by performances in Baltimore and Boston, then opening on 14 November 1989 on Broadway. In 1990 he toured Europe in ''The Circle'', opposite
Ian Carmichael Ian Gillett Carmichael, OBE (18 June 1920 – 5 February 2010) was an English actor who worked prolifically on stage, screen and radio in a career spanning 70 years. He found prominence in the films of the Boulting brothers, including '' ...
and Rosemary Harris.


Personal life, death, and honors

He was married three times and had four children: * Elspeth March (1938–1948); two children, Jamie and Lindsay *
Jean Simmons Jean Merilyn Simmons, (31 January 1929 – 22 January 2010) was a British actress and singer. One of J. Arthur Rank's "well-spoken young starlets", she appeared predominantly in films, beginning with those made in Great Britain during and aft ...
(1950–1960), (with whom he had starred in '' Adam and Evelyne'', ''
Young Bess ''Young Bess'' is a 1953 Technicolor biographical film made by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer about the early life of Elizabeth I, from her turbulent childhood to the eve of her accession to the throne of England. It stars Jean Simmons as Elizabeth and St ...
'' and ''
Footsteps in the Fog ''Footsteps in the Fog'' is a 1955 British Technicolor film noir crime film starring Stewart Granger and Jean Simmons, with a screenplay co-written by Lenore Coffee and Dorothy Davenport, and released by Columbia Pictures. The film is based o ...
''); one daughter, Tracy * Caroline LeCerf (1964–1969); one daughter, Samantha. Granger claimed in his autobiography that
Deborah Kerr Deborah Jane Trimmer CBE (30 September 192116 October 2007), known professionally as Deborah Kerr (), was a British actress. She was nominated six times for the Academy Award for Best Actress. During her international film career, Kerr won a ...
had approached him romantically in the back of his chauffeur-driven car at the time he was making ''Caesar and Cleopatra''. Although he was married to Elspeth March, he states that he and Kerr went on to have an affair. When asked about this revelation, Kerr's response was "What a gallant man he is." In 1956 Granger became a naturalized citizen of the United States. He died in Santa Monica, California, on August 16, 1993, from prostate and bone cancer at the age of 80. His niece is '' Antiques Roadshow'' appraiser Bunny Campione, the daughter of his sister Iris.


Appraisal

In 1970, Granger said, "Stewart Granger was quite a successful film star, but I don't think he was an actor's actor." Among the movies that Granger was announced to star in but were made with other actors instead were ''
Ivanhoe ''Ivanhoe: A Romance'' () by Walter Scott is a historical novel published in three volumes, in 1819, as one of the Waverley novels. Set in England in the Middle Ages, this novel marked a shift away from Scott’s prior practice of setting ...
'' (1952), '' Mogambo'' (1953), '' The King's Thief'' (1955) and ''
Man of the West ''Man of the West'' is a 1958 American Western film noir film starring Gary Cooper and directed by Anthony Mann, produced by Walter Mirisch and distributed by United Artists. The screenplay, written by Reginald Rose, is based on the 1955 nov ...
'' (1958).


Complete filmography

*'' The Song You Gave Me'' (1933) as Waiter (uncredited) *''
A Southern Maid ''A Southern Maid'' is an operetta in three acts composed by Harold Fraser-Simson, with a book by Dion Clayton Calthrop and Harry Graham and lyrics by Harry Graham and Harry Miller. Additional music was provided by Ivor Novello and George H. ...
'' (1933) (uncredited) *'' Give Her a Ring'' (1934) as Diner (uncredited) *''
Over the Garden Wall ''Over the Garden Wall'' is an American animated television miniseries created by Patrick McHale for Cartoon Network. The series centers on two half-brothers who travel across a mysterious forest to find their way home, encountering a variet ...
'' (1934) (uncredited) *''
I Spy (1934 film) ''I Spy'' is a 1934 British film. Ben Lyon made it at the same time as his wife, Bebe Daniels, was making a film at the same studio, BIP. It was the first British film for both Lyon and Sally Eilers. Cast *Ben Lyon *Sally Eilers Dorothea ...
'' (uncredited) *'' Under Secret Orders'' (1937) (uncredited) *'' So This Is London'' (1939) as Laurence *'' Convoy'' (1940) as Sutton (uncredited) *'' Secret Mission'' (1942) as Sub-Lieutenant Jackson *'' Thursday's Child'' (1943) as David Penley *''
The Man in Grey ''The Man in Grey'' is a 1943 British film melodrama made by Gainsborough Pictures; it is considered to be the first of a series of period costume dramas now known as the "Gainsborough melodramas". It was directed by Leslie Arliss and produc ...
'' (1943) as Peter Rokeby *'' The Lamp Still Burns'' (1943) as Laurence Rains *'' Fanny by Gaslight'' (1944) as Harry Somerford *''
Love Story Love Story or A Love Story may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Genres * Romance (love) ** Romance film ** Romance novel Films * ''Love Story'' (1925 film), German silent film * ''Love Story'' (1942 film), Italian drama film * ''Love ...
'' (1944) as Kit Firth *''
Madonna of the Seven Moons ''Madonna of the Seven Moons'' is a 1945 British drama film directed by Arthur Crabtree for Gainsborough Pictures and starring Phyllis Calvert, Stewart Granger and Patricia Roc. The film was produced by Rubeigh James Minney, with cinematography ...
'' (1945) as Nino *'' Waterloo Road'' (1945) as Ted Purvis *'' Caesar and Cleopatra'' (1945) as Apollodorus *''
Caravan Caravan or caravans may refer to: Transport and travel *Caravan (travellers), a group of travellers journeying together **Caravanserai, a place where a caravan could stop *Camel train, a convoy using camels as pack animals *Convoy, a group of veh ...
'' (1946) as Richard Darrell *'' The Magic Bow'' (1946) as Niccolo Paganini *'' Captain Boycott'' (1947) as Hugh Davin *'' Blanche Fury'' (1948) as Philip Thorn *'' Saraband for Dead Lovers'' (1948) as Konigsmark *'' Woman Hater'' (1948) as Lord Terence Datchett *'' Adam and Evelyne'' (1949) as Adam Black *''
King Solomon's Mines ''King Solomon's Mines'' (1885) is a popular novel by the English Victorian adventure writer and fabulist Sir H. Rider Haggard. It tells of a search of an unexplored region of Africa by a group of adventurers led by Allan Quatermain for the ...
'' (1950) as Allan Quatermain *''
Soldiers Three ''Soldiers Three'' is a collection of short stories by Rudyard Kipling. The three soldiers of the title are Learoyd, Mulvaney and Ortheris, who had also appeared previously in the collection ''Plain Tales from the Hills''. The current version, ...
'' (1951) as Pvt. Archibald Ackroyd *'' The Light Touch'' (1951) as Sam Conride *''
The Wild North ''The Wild North'' (also known as ''The Big North'', ''Constable Pedley'', ''The Constable Pedley Story'', ''The Wild North Country'' and ''North Country'') is a 1952 American Western film directed by Andrew Marton and starring Stewart Gran ...
'' (1952) as Jules Vincent *''
Scaramouche Scaramouche () or Scaramouch (; from Italian Scaramuccia , literally "little skirmisher") is a stock clown character of the 16th-century commedia dell'arte (comic theatrical arts of Italian literature). The role combined characteristics of the ...
'' (1952) as Andre Moreau *'' The Prisoner of Zenda'' (1952) as Rudolf Rassendyll / King Rudolf V *''
Salome Salome (; he, שְלוֹמִית, Shlomit, related to , "peace"; el, Σαλώμη), also known as Salome III, was a Jewish princess, the daughter of Herod II, son of Herod the Great, and princess Herodias, granddaughter of Herod the Great, a ...
'' (1953) as Commander Claudius *''
Young Bess ''Young Bess'' is a 1953 Technicolor biographical film made by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer about the early life of Elizabeth I, from her turbulent childhood to the eve of her accession to the throne of England. It stars Jean Simmons as Elizabeth and St ...
'' (1953) as Thomas Seymour *''
All the Brothers Were Valiant ''All the Brothers Were Valiant'' is a 1953 Technicolor adventure drama film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and directed by Richard Thorpe. The film's screenplay was written by Harry Brown and based on the 1919 novel '' All the Brothers Were Va ...
'' (1953) as Mark Shore *''
Beau Brummell George Bryan "Beau" Brummell (7 June 1778 – 30 March 1840) was an important figure in Regency England and, for many years, the arbiter of men's fashion. At one time, he was a close friend of the Prince Regent, the future King George IV, but ...
'' (1954) as George Bryan 'Beau' Brummell *'' Green Fire'' (1954) as Rian X. Mitchell *'' Moonfleet'' (1955) as Jeremy Fox *''
Footsteps in the Fog ''Footsteps in the Fog'' is a 1955 British Technicolor film noir crime film starring Stewart Granger and Jean Simmons, with a screenplay co-written by Lenore Coffee and Dorothy Davenport, and released by Columbia Pictures. The film is based o ...
'' (1955) as Stephen Lowry *'' The Last Hunt'' (1956) as Sandy McKenzie *'' Bhowani Junction'' (1956) as Col. Rodney Savage *'' The Little Hut'' (1957) as Sir Philip Ashlow *'' Gun Glory'' (1957) as Tom Early *'' Harry Black'' (1958) as Harry Black *'' The Whole Truth'' (1958) as Max Poulton *'' North to Alaska'' (1960) as George Pratt *'' The Secret Partner'' (1961) as John Brent aka John Wilson *''
Sodom and Gomorrah Sodom and Gomorrah () were two legendary biblical cities destroyed by God for their wickedness. Their story parallels the Genesis flood narrative in its theme of God's anger provoked by man's sin (see Genesis 19:1–28). They are mentioned frequ ...
'' (1962) as Lot *''
The Legion's Last Patrol ''Marcia o Crepa'' (March or Die), known as ''The Legion's Last Patrol'' in the UK and ''Commando'' in the US, is a 1962 European (Italian, German, Spanish) co-production war film about the Algerian War of Independence. It was released in 1964 ...
'' (US: ''Commando'') (1962) as Captain Le Blanc *'' Swordsman of Siena'' (1962) as Thomas Stanswood *'' The Shortest Day'' (1963) as Avvocato (uncredited) *'' The Secret Invasion'' (1964) as Maj. Richard Mace *''
Among Vultures ''Among Vultures'' (German: ''Unter Geiern'') is a 1964 Western film directed by Alfred Vohrer and starring Stewart Granger, Pierre Brice, Elke Sommer and Götz George. It was also released as ''Frontier Hellcat''. The film was a co-production ...
'' (1964) as Old Surehand *''
The Crooked Road ''The Crooked Road'' is a 1965 British film directed and co-written by Don Chaffey. It stars Stewart Granger, Robert Ryan, and Janet Munro. The film is based on the 1957 novel ''The Big Story'' by Morris West. An American journalist ( Robert ...
'' (1965) as Duke of Orgagna *'' Red Dragon'' (1965) as Michael Scott *'' Flaming Frontier'' (1965) as Old Surehand *''
The Oil Prince The Oil Prince (German: ''Der Ölprinz'') is a 1965 West German-Yugoslav western film directed by Harald Philipp and starring Stewart Granger, Pierre Brice and Harald Leipnitz. It was also known as ''Rampage at Apache Wells''. The screenplay is ...
'' (1965) as Old Surehand *''
Killer's Carnival ''Killer's Carnival'' (french: Carnaval des barbouzes, german: Gern hab' ich die Frauen gekillt, it, Spie contro il mondo) is a 1966 crime film directed by Alberto Cardone and starring Stewart Granger. Plot A murderer takes refuge in a doctor ...
'' (1966) as David Porter (Vienna segment) *'' Target for Killing'' (1966) as James Vine *''
Requiem for a Secret Agent ''Requiem for a Secret Agent'' (also known as ''Requiem per un agente segreto'') is an Italian international co-production Eurospy film. It was co-produced with Spain (where it was released as ''Consigna: Tánger 67'') and West Germany (where it w ...
'' (1966) as Jimmy Merrill *'' The Trygon Factor'' (1966) as Supt. Cooper-Smith *''
The Last Safari ''The Last Safari'' is a 1967 British adventure film directed by Henry Hathaway. It stars Kaz Garas and Stewart Granger. It was based on the 1962 novel, '' Gilligan's Last Elephant'' by Gerald Hanley. Plot Miles Gilchrist (Stewart Granger) is ...
'' (1967) as Miles Gilchrist *'' Any Second Now'' (1969 TV movie) as Paul Dennison *''
The Hound of the Baskervilles ''The Hound of the Baskervilles'' is the third of the four crime novels by British writer Arthur Conan Doyle featuring the detective Sherlock Holmes. Originally serialised in ''The Strand Magazine'' from August 1901 to April 1902, it is set ...
'' (1972 TV movie) as
Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes () is a fictional detective created by British author Arthur Conan Doyle. Referring to himself as a " consulting detective" in the stories, Holmes is known for his proficiency with observation, deduction, forensic science and ...
*''
The Wild Geese ''The Wild Geese'' is a 1978 war film directed by Andrew V. McLaglen and starring Richard Burton, Roger Moore, Richard Harris, and Hardy Krüger. The screenplay concerns a group of mercenaries in Africa. It was the result of a long-held ambit ...
'' (1978) as Sir Edward Matheson *''
The Royal Romance of Charles and Diana ''The Royal Romance of Charles and Diana'' is a 1982 American made-for-television biographical drama film that depicts the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. The film was directed by Peter Levin and starred Catherine Oxenberg, Chris ...
'' (1982 TV movie) as Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh *'' A Hazard of Hearts'' (1987 TV movie) as the elder Lord Vulcan *''
Hell Hunters ''Hell Hunters'' is a 1988 horror film produced and directed by , and starring Maud Adams, George Lazenby and Stewart Granger. Plot A Nazi war criminal mad scientist creates a spider serum which turns people into Nazi zombies. A team of inve ...
'' (1988) as Martin Hoffmann *''Chameleons'' (1989 TV movie) as Jason *'' Fine Gold'' (1989) as Don Miguel


Unmade films

* In 1944 it was reported Granger's ambition was to play Rob Roy – J. Arthur Rank announced he was interested in a Rob Roy project in 1945 but it was never made * ''Digger's Republic'' for
Leslie Arliss Leslie Arliss (6 October 1901, London – 30 December 1987, Jersey, Channel Islands) was an English screenwriter and director. He is best known for his work on the Gainsborough melodramas directing films such as '' The Man in Grey'' and ''The Wi ...
as Stafford Parker (1946) – this became '' Diamond City'' with David Farrar in the role instead * ''Self-Made Man'' (1947) from a script by Alan Campbell about a cocky type who comes out of the RAF and makes and loses a million dollars * Richard Burton claimed Granger turned down the leading role in '' Odd Man Out'' (1947), which would make an international star of James Mason. * ''
Christopher Columbus Christopher Columbus * lij, Cristoffa C(or)ombo * es, link=no, Cristóbal Colón * pt, Cristóvão Colombo * ca, Cristòfor (or ) * la, Christophorus Columbus. (; born between 25 August and 31 October 1451, died 20 May 1506) was a ...
'' in the title role (1947) – film was eventually made with Fredric March * ''Pursuit of Love'' for producer Davis Lewis at Enterprise Studios (1947) * ''Treacher'' (1947) produced by Nunnally Johnson for Universal * '' The Saxon Charm'' (1947) * Reported as testing for
John Huston John Marcellus Huston ( ; August 5, 1906 – August 28, 1987) was an American film director, screenwriter, actor and visual artist. He wrote the screenplays for most of the 37 feature films he directed, many of which are today considered ...
in '' Quo Vadis'' (1949) * ''The House by the Sea'' based on book by Jon Godden, with Granger as producer (1949) * ''The Donnybrook Fighter'' (1952) * ''Robinson Crusoe'' (early 1950s) * ''Highland Fling'' (1957) * ''Ever the Twain'' (1958) *
biography A biography, or simply bio, is a detailed description of a person's life. It involves more than just the basic facts like education, work, relationships, and death; it portrays a person's experience of these life events. Unlike a profile or c ...
of Miguel de Cervantes for his own production company(1958) *''The Night Comers'' with Jean Simmons – adaptation of
Eric Ambler Eric Clifford Ambler OBE (28 June 1909 – 22 October 1998) was an English author of thrillers, in particular spy novels, who introduced a new realism to the genre. Also working as a screenwriter, Ambler used the pseudonym Eliot Reed for bo ...
book ''State of Siege'' *''The Four Winds'' from a 1954 novel by David Beatty – for his own production company, Tracy Productions (1958) *'' I Thank a Fool'' (1962)


Box-office ranking

At the peak of his career, exhibitors voted Granger among the top stars at the box office: *1945 – 9th biggest star in Britain (2nd most popular British star) *1946 – 6th biggest star in Britain (3rd most popular British star) *1947 – 5th most popular British star in Britain *1948 – 5th most popular British star in Britain. *1949 – 7th most popular British star in Britain. *1951 – most popular star in Britain according to '' Kinematograph Weekly'' *1952 – 19th most popular star in the US * 1953 – 21st most popular star in the US and 8th most popular in Britain


Partial television credits

*'' The Virginian The Men from Shiloh'' (1970–71) – Starred in 11 of 24 episodes as Col. Alan MacKenzie. Episodes 1 "The West v Colonel MacKenzie", 5 "The Mysterious Mr Tate", 7 "Crooked Corner", 9 "The Price of the Hanging", 11 "Follow the Leader", 12 "Last of the Comencharos", 14 "Nan Allen", 19 "Flight from Memory", 21 "The Regimental Line", 23 "Wolf Track", and 24 "Jump Up". *''
Hotel A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. Facilities provided inside a hotel room may range from a modest-quality mattress in a small room to large suites with bigger, higher-quality beds, a dresser, a re ...
'' – episodes "Glass People", "Blackout" (1983–1987) as Anthony Sheridan / Tony Fielding *'' The Fall Guy'' – episode "Manhunter" (1983) as James Caldwell *''
Murder, She Wrote ''Murder, She Wrote'' is an American crime drama television series, created by Peter S. Fischer, Richard Levinson and William Link, starring Angela Lansbury, and produced and distributed by Universal Television for the CBS network. The seri ...
'' – episode "
Paint Me a Murder This is a list of ''Murder, She Wrote'' episodes in the order that they originally aired on CBS. Most of the episodes took place either in Jessica's fictional hometown of Cabot Cove, Maine, or in New York City, but her travels promoting books o ...
" (1985) as Sir John Landry *'' The Love Boat'' – episode "Call Me Grandma/A Gentleman of Discretion/The Perfect Divorce/Letting Go" (1985) as General Thomas Preston *'' The Wizard'' – episode "The Aztec Dagger" (1987) as Jake Saunders *'' Das Erbe der Guldenburgs'' (1987) – two episodes as Jack Brinkley *'' Pros and Cons'' (1991) – episode "It's the Pictures That Got Small" (final television appearance)


Partial theatre credits

*''The Courageous Sex'' by Mary D. Sheridan – Birmingham, May 1937 *''The Millionairess'' by
George Bernard Shaw George Bernard Shaw (26 July 1856 – 2 November 1950), known at his insistence simply as Bernard Shaw, was an Irish playwright, critic, polemicist and political activist. His influence on Western theatre, culture and politics extended from ...
Malvern Festival, July 1937 – with Elspeth March *''
The Apple Cart ''The Apple Cart: A Political Extravaganza'' is a 1928 play by George Bernard Shaw. It is a satirical comedy about several political philosophies which are expounded by the characters, often in lengthy monologues. The plot follows the fictional ...
'' – Malvern Festival, August 1937 – with Elspeth March *''Victoria, Queen and Empress'' – Birmingham Repertory, September 1937 – as
Gladstone William Ewart Gladstone ( ; 29 December 1809 – 19 May 1898) was a British statesman and Liberal politician. In a career lasting over 60 years, he served for 12 years as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, spread over four non-cons ...
*''The Sun Never Sets'' – Drury Lane Theatre, London, 1938 *''Serena Blandish'' – 1938 – with Vivien Leigh *''
Romeo and Juliet ''Romeo and Juliet'' is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare early in his career about the romance between two Italian youths from feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular plays during his lifetime and, along with ''Ham ...
– Buxton Festival, September 1939 – with
Robert Donat Friedrich Robert Donat (18 March 1905 – 9 June 1958) was an English actor. He is best remembered for his roles in Alfred Hitchcock's '' The 39 Steps'' (1935) and ''Goodbye, Mr. Chips'' (1939), winning for the latter the Academy Award for ...
and Constance Cummings, as Tybalt *''The Good Natured Man'' by Oliver Goldsmith – Buxton Festival, September 1939 – with Robert Donat and Constance Cummings *''Autumn'' – with Flora Robson *''House in the Square'' – St Martins Theatre, London, April 1940 *''To Dream Again'' – Theatre Royal, August 1942 *''Rebecca'' *wartime tour of ''Gaslight'' with
Deborah Kerr Deborah Jane Trimmer CBE (30 September 192116 October 2007), known professionally as Deborah Kerr (), was a British actress. She was nominated six times for the Academy Award for Best Actress. During her international film career, Kerr won a ...
*''
The Power of Darkness ''The Power of Darkness'' (russian: Власть тьмы, Vlast′ t′my) is a five- act drama by Leo Tolstoy. Written in 1886, the play's production was forbidden in Russia until 1902, mainly through the influence of Konstantin Pobedonostsev. ...
'' adapted from by Peter Glenville from the story by
Leo Tolstoy Count Lev Nikolayevich TolstoyTolstoy pronounced his first name as , which corresponds to the romanization ''Lyov''. () (; russian: link=no, Лев Николаевич Толстой,In Tolstoy's day, his name was written as in pre-refor ...
– March–April 1949 – with
Jean Simmons Jean Merilyn Simmons, (31 January 1929 – 22 January 2010) was a British actress and singer. One of J. Arthur Rank's "well-spoken young starlets", she appeared predominantly in films, beginning with those made in Great Britain during and aft ...
*''The Circle'' – 1989 – with Rex Harrison and Glynis Johns *''The Circle'' - 1990 - with
Ian Carmichael Ian Gillett Carmichael, OBE (18 June 1920 – 5 February 2010) was an English actor who worked prolifically on stage, screen and radio in a career spanning 70 years. He found prominence in the films of the Boulting brothers, including '' ...
and Rosemary Harris


Partial radio performances

* ''Continuous Performance – the Film'', BBC (December 1946) * ''Lux Radio Theatre'', ''
King Solomon's Mines ''King Solomon's Mines'' (1885) is a popular novel by the English Victorian adventure writer and fabulist Sir H. Rider Haggard. It tells of a search of an unexplored region of Africa by a group of adventurers led by Allan Quatermain for the ...
'' (1952)


References


External links

* * * *
Box office reception of Stewart Granger's films in France

Britmovie.co.uk

Photographs and literature

BBC interview with Gloria Hunniford
{{DEFAULTSORT:Granger, Stewart 1913 births 1993 deaths Male actors from London Alumni of the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art British expatriate male actors in the United States Deaths from cancer in California Deaths from bone cancer Deaths from prostate cancer English male film actors English emigrants to the United States English male television actors English people of Scottish descent English people of French descent English people of Italian descent Black Watch officers Gordon Highlanders soldiers People educated at Epsom College 20th-century British male actors British Army personnel of World War II