Write about your first name: its meaning, significance, etymology, etc.
I was named after this handsome man. Born Archibald Alec Leach, he adopted the name Cary Grant at the age of 27 for Hollywood. Every description of him includes “debonair demeanor” and how well he handled himself on screen. Not only was he easy on the eyes, he delivered his lines effortlessly, had great chemistry with costars, and starred in several movies.
Grant had a difficult childhood, with an alcoholic father and a clinically depressed mother. Often described as a trouble maker, he found his way to theaters and back stages before landing various starring roles. He began to pick up an accent working with music halls in both the UK and US, developing an iconic transatlantic dialect, often heard in old news broadcasts.
Cary inspires me to reach far beyond our origins, working past his childhood, his name, and even the way he spoke. He carried himself professionally on screen and off, dedicating his retirement to his wife and daughter. He had a fantastic career on screen and off screen invested his fortunes into real estate and business, retiring a wealthy man. When he died of a stroke, he refused medical help and requested no funeral.
Called the “greatest leading man Hollywood had ever known,” Cary left a huge mark on the golden age of Hollywood. His mark was caught by my immigrant parents first moving from China to the United States in 1990. Wanting me to have an American name, they named me after Cary Grant and even created a Westernized version of my name in Chinese, an extremely unique name.
I have only seen two of his films, An Affair to Remember and His Girl Friday. Both films were exceptional, aged well despite being very obviously from the golden age of Hollywood, and showcased Grant’s natural acting skills. I do recommend both, whether you’re an oldies fan or not. He starred in dozens of other films which I’ll watch slowly over my lifetime. It’s very enjoyable looking up and seeing the remarkable man I was named after. He hasn’t done anything directly for me, but just like all of his fans before me, he inspires me.
Leadership, Design, Writing 