Best Cary Grant Quotes From The Iconic Hollywood Actor

Supriya Jain
Dec 12, 2023 By Supriya Jain
Originally Published on Jan 11, 2021
Edited by Luca Demetriou
Cary Grant and his wife Barbara Grant leaving the Princess Grace Foundation
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Age: 0-99
Read time: 10.4 Min

Known to be a one of the best dressed, immaculately groomed stars of the Hollywood era gone by, the British born actor’s birth name was Archibald Alec Leach, who grew up in Bristol, England.

Cary Grant had a long an illustrious career in Hollywood, starting with crime films and dramas, and excelled in comedies later on, he also worked in period dramas and dark comedies.

Cary Grant was a favorite of Alfred Hitchcock and worked with him in many movies like 'North By Northwest', 'Suspicion' and 'Notorious' which had him playing dark characters too.

Towards the end of his career, he played romantic leads too. A handsome, suave actor Cary Grant is known as a favorite of all. After retiring from movies, Cary Grant made his mark as a shrewd businessman too.

He was on the board of MGM and was actively involved in promoting MGM Grand Hotel. Known for his business acumen and foresight, Cary Grant made a name for himself in this arena too.

His biography, 'In Name Only' by author Gary Morecambe gives insight to his life. The author speaks of Cray Grant's experiences - his sky rocketing career and romance. Quotes from Cary Grant are entertaining and fascinating, as his sayings and quotes are timeless.

From the golden age of Hollywood cinema, you may like to read [Elizabeth Taylor quotes] and James Dean quotes too.
 

Famous Cary Grant Quotes

Carry Grant is best remembered for his effortless presence on screen. He never projected himself as handsome, even though he was aware he had an impeccable style. Here are Cary Grant quotes that will help you get an idea of his personality. Which Cary Grant quote is your favorite?

Hollywood Walk of Fame Cary Grant

1. "Destiny is not necessarily what we get out of life, but rather, what we give."

- Cary Grant.

2. "It is the law of life that if you are kind to someone you feel happy.  If you are cruel you are unhappy. "

- Cary Grant.

3. "We should all just smell well and enjoy ourselves more."

- Cary Grant.

4. "Do your job and demand your compensation - but in that order."

- Cary Grant

5. "It takes 500 small details to add up to one favorable impression."

- Cary Grant.

6. "I was a self-centered bore. I was masochistic, and only thought I was happy.

When I woke up and said, "there must be something wrong with me", I grew up. Because I never understood myself, how could I hope to understand anyone else? That's why I can truly say that now I can give a woman love for the first time in my life, because I can understand her."

- Cary Grant.

7. "I think that making love is the best form of exercise."

- Cary Grant.

8. "I may not have married for very sound reasons, but money was the least of them."

- Cary Grant.

9. "Insanity runs in my family. It practically gallops."

- Cary Grant.

10. "Everyone tells me I've had such an interesting life, but sometimes I think it's been nothing but stomach disturbances and self-concern."

- Cary Grant.

11. "...and there I suddenly found my articulate self in a dazzling land of smiling, jostling people wearing and not wearing all sorts of costumes and doing all sorts of clever things. And that's when I knew! What other life could there be but that of an actor?"

- Cary Grant.

12. "Probably no greater honor can come to any man than the respect of his colleagues."

- Cary Grant.

13. "It's important to know where you've come from so that you can know where you're going. I probably chose my profession because I was seeking approval, adulation, admiration and affection."

- Cary Grant.

14. "One pretends to do something, or copy someone or some teacher, until it can be done confidently and easily in what becomes one's own style."

- Cary Grant.

15. "Ah, beware of snobbery; it is the unwelcome recognition of one's own past failings."

- Cary Grant

16. "My formula for living is quite simple. I get up in the morning and I go to bed at night. In between, I occupy myself as best I can."

- Cary Grant.

17. "I’m prepared. I have a gun and I know how to shoot, and whoever comes calling without an invitation will get it in the rear end."

- Cary Grant.

18. "When I’m married, I want to be single, and when I’m single, I want to be married."

- Cary Grant.

Quotes By Cary Grant

With Cary Grant, everyone loves a good quote and his sayings. Cary Grant is known for his quick remarks and a suave personality. Here are some Cary Grant quotes that you will most definitely like, plus more sayings and maybe even the very best Cary Grant quote that you'll love.

19. "Divorce is a game played by lawyers."

- Cary Grant.

20. "Everyone wants to be Cary Grant. Even I want to be Cary Grant."

- Cary Grant.

21. "...if you hurt someone, you will be hurt back."

- Cary Grant.

22. “I pretended to be somebody I wanted to be until finally I became that person. Or he became me.”

- Cary Grant.

23. "There must be something between us, even if it's only an ocean."

- Cary Grant.

24. "Dying's tough - but not as tough as comedy."

- Cary Grant.

25. “I was a fat-headed guy full of pain.”

- Cary Grant.

26. “Who is omnipotent or wise enough to decide each new standard of good taste? Or sensitivity?”

- Cary Grant.

27. “Comedy holds the greatest risk for an actor, and laughter is the reward.”

- Cary Grant.

28. “Nature eventually has her own way, so perhaps the best procedure is to accept what old Mother Nature or God, if you will, dictates. Accept it and you'll get along better.”

- Cary Grant.

29. "We have our factory, which is called a stage. We make a product, we colour it, we title it and we ship it out in cans."

- Cary Grant.

30. "My father used to say, 'Let them see you and not the suit. That should be secondary.'"

- Cary Grant.

31. "I improve on misquotation."

- Cary Grant.

32. “Beware of snobbery, it is the unwelcome recognition of one's past feelings.”

- Cary Grant.

33. “I can’t bear to hear a woman talk baby talk.”

- Cary Grant.

34. “I acted like Cary Grant for so long that I became Cary Grant.”

- Cary Grant.

35. “I really am a happy, amusing fellow at heart. Trouble is I seem the only one left.”

- Cary Grant.

36. “I’d like to have made one of those big splashy Technicolor musicals with Rita Hayworth.”

- Cary Grant.

Cary Grant Movie Quotes

Carry Grant received an honorary Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 1970, presented to him by one of his dearest friends - Frank Sinatra. Cary Grant movies have some of the deepest memories for a child.

Here are a few Cary grant quotes from movies, featuring more of your favorite sayings and quotes. Cary Grant is the author of his own life.

37. “Alcohol is a good preservative for everything but secrets.”

- Cary Grant.

38. “Eve Kendall: Patience is a virtue.

Roger Thornhill: So is breathing.”

- 'North By Northwest'.

39. “In the world of advertising, there's no such thing as a lie. There's only expedient exaggeration.”

- Cary Grant, 'North By Northwest'.

40. “Ticket Seller: Something wrong with your eyes?

Roger Thornhill: Yes, they're sensitive to questions.”

- 'North By Northwest'.

41. “Reggie Lampert: You're blocking my view.

Peter Joshua: Ohh... which view would you prefer?

Reggie Lampert: The one you're blocking.”

- 'Charade'.

42. “Reggie Lampert: The man and woman are married.

Peter Joshua: I can see that. They're batting each other over the head.”

- 'Charade'.

43. "Bonnie Lee: So you're still carrying a torch for her?’’

Geoff Carter: Gotta light?’’

- 'Only Angels Have Wings'.

44. "Hildy Johnson: [speaking of her fiance] He treats me like a woman.

Walter Burns: Oh he does, does he? Mm-hm... how did I treat you? Like a water buffalo?"

- 'His Girl Friday'.

45. "Bonnie Lee: What was she like, anyway?

Geoff Carter: Who?

Bonnie Lee: That girl that made you act the way you do.

Geoff Carter: A whole lot like you. Just as nice, almost as smart.

Bonnie Lee: Chorus girl?

Geoff Carter: Only by temperament."

- 'Only Angels Have Wings'.

46. "I'm so broke I'm in two halves."

- Ernie Mott, 'None But The Lonely Heart'.

47. "Never give a sucker an even break and always keep an eye on your pals."

-  Joe Adams aka Joe Bascopolous, 'Mr. Lucky'.

48. "You don't belong with a grifter like me. You just got some mud on your dress, that's all. Give it time, let it dry. It'll brush off."

-  Joe Adams aka Joe Bascopolous, 'Mr. Lucky'.

49. John Robie: You're here in Europe to buy a husband.

Frances Stevens: The man I want doesn't have a price.

John Robie: That eliminates me.

- 'To Catch A Thief'.

50. "Not only did I enjoy that kiss last night, I was awed by the efficiency behind it."

- John Robie, 'To Catch a Thief'.

51. "Now it isn't that I don't like you, Susan, because, after all, in moments of quiet, I'm strangely drawn toward you, but - well, there haven't been any quiet moments."

- David Huxley, 'Bringing Up Baby'.

52. "Why don't you come up sometime and see me?"

- Lady Lou, 'She Done Him Wrong'.

Famous Quotes About Cary Grant

Cary Grant made many friends along his long career and amiable associations with people from all walks of life. Not only do his Hollywood associates have good things to say about him, but his business associates stand by his intelligence as a business man.

Despite a difficult childhood, Cary Grant etched a mark in the hearts and minds of people he came in touch with. Look at these incredible Cary Grant quotes.

53. "There is a frightening side to Cary that no one can quite put their finger on".

- Alfred Hitchcock.

54. "Once he realized that each movement could be stylized for humor, the eyepopping, the cocked head, the forward lunge, and the slightly ungainly stride became as certain as the pen strokes of a master cartoonist."

- Pauline Kael.

55.  "No other man seemed so classless and self-assured ... at ease with the romantic as the comic ... aged so well and with such fine style ... in short, played the part so well: Cary Grant made men seem like a good idea."

- Graham McCann.

56. "Cary Grant was not supposed to die. ... Cary Grant was supposed to stick around, our perpetual touchstone of charm and elegance and romance and youth."[

- The New York Times.

57.  "Though Grant's personal presence is indispensable, the character he plays is almost wholly superfluous. Perhaps the inference to be taken is that a man in his 50s or 60s has no place in romantic comedy except as a catalyst. If so, the chemistry is wrong for everyone".

- Newsweek.

58. "No one has brought more pleasure to more people for so many years than Cary has, and nobody has done so many things so well".

- Frank Sinatra.

59. “God for all anyone knows could be Cary Grant.”

- Carole Morin, 'Dead Glamorous'.

60. “Love – that is a word you hear often when you are around Cary Grant. … It seems to me that the whole world is his friend.

And he is a friend to everyone – when they need one. As Ingrid Bergman did at the time of her out-of-wedlock baby with Rossellini.

Cary spoke out for her as he would speak out for anyone he admired, whether it was Ingrid, the President of the United States, or a scrubwoman. He is a potent force for good – for Hollywood, and for all of us.

I am always delighted to see Cary Grant, and count myself lucky to be one of his friends.”

- Sheilah Graham Westbrook, ‘Love – That’s All Cary Grant Ever Thinks About’.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for the best Cary Grant quotes from the iconic Hollywood actor then why not take a look at Judy Garland quotes, or Frank Sinatra quotes.

Main image credit: mark reinstein / Shutterstock.com

Article image credit: Elliott Cowand Jr / Shutterstock.com

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Written by Supriya Jain

Bachelor of Commerce, Master of Business Administration specializing in Marketing

Supriya Jain picture

Supriya JainBachelor of Commerce, Master of Business Administration specializing in Marketing

As a skilled member of the Kidadl team, Shruti brings extensive experience and expertise in professional content writing. With a Bachelor's degree in Commerce from Punjab University and an MBA in Business Administration from IMT Nagpur, Shruti has worked in diverse roles such as sales intern, content writer, executive trainee, and business development consultant. Her exceptional writing skills cover a wide range of areas, including SOP, SEO, B2B/B2C, and academic content.

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