17. Cary Grant is remembered as the epitome of male style and grace
In the 1930s and 1940s, Cary Grant was one of the most famous of the leading men in Hollywood films, equally comfortable in comedic and dramatic roles. Born in England, and named Archibald Leach, Grant was an acrobat and vaudeville performer in England and America before achieving success in Hollywood in the 1930s. During the war years, he remained in the film business, appeared in USO shows and tours, and made the types of propaganda films which Hollywood churned out during the war to promote morale at home. Late in his career, he was approached about playing the British spy popularized in the series of novels by Ian Fleming, James Bond, but he turned down the role. It may have been too close to the truth.
During the Second World War, British Intelligence set up a network of spies and agents in the United States, reporting on the activities of Americans and others in the United States who were supportive of the German-American Bund, members of the Nazi and Communists parties in America, and those who were sympathizers. Several suspected Nazi sympathizers were in Hollywood, including Errol Flynn, who had once been introduced to Adolf Hitler. Grant reported back to handlers in New York on what he observed regarding pro-Nazi and other activity in the Hollywood community, which was duly transferred to London. The surreptitious British activity continued even after the United States entered the war. It was never formally admitted to by Churchill, though there was evidence he shared some of the information with FDR.