MovieMaker is sad to report that another star of the silver screen has passed away. Last Sunday veteran actor Farley Granger died of natural causes at the age of 85.
Farley Granger is most recognized for his appearances in Rope and Strangers on a Train, both directed by Alfred Hitchcock. In addition to Hitchcock, Granger worked with renowned directors Luchino Visconti, Charles Vidor, Vincente Minnelli and Nicholas Ray. He also shared the screen with such legendary actors as Jimmy Stewart, Ray Milland, Jane Powell, Leslie Caron and Shelley Winters.
There are countless stories of Hollywood heartthrobs who hid their sexuality to protect their fame. Granger, however, was open about his homosexuality. Though he was intimately involved with Shelley Winters for many years, and despite a fling with screen siren Ava Gardner, Granger went on to spend 40-odd years with his domestic partner, Robert Calhoun, who served as the co-author of Granger’s memoir, Include Me Out.
Granger undeniably made a name for himself as a part of the history of film, but he could have become an even bigger star. No doubt his talent and good looks could have carried him much further in the industry, but he abandoned his film career due to his dislike of the Hollywood studio system. In the late 1950’s he bought out his contract with Samuel Goldwyn and began focusing on television and theater. In the 1970’s Granger moved to Italy and made his return to film in Italian cinema.
Though we wish Farley Granger had made more films, we will be forever thankful for the few dozen he did leave behind. He was a brilliant, underrated actor who will be greatly missed.