Film Legend Farley Granger Dead at 85

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No, this isn't the devastating end to a Hitchcock movie: Farley Granger, the actor whose 60 years of credits included starring roles in the Master of Suspense's Rope (1948) and Strangers on a Train (1951), died of natural causes at age 85 in New York City. You'll notice he was also gorgeous. Let's revisit a trailer from his finest hour on film and discuss his fantastic legacy.

Hitch sure loved beautiful, naive men who seem to conceal a deep darkness. That's what I love about Hitchcock, in fact: He found attractive murderers life-affirming.

Granger started his career in 1943's The North Star, costarring with Golden Age totems like Walter Huston, Anne Baxter, and Erich von Stroheim. One of his last film appearances came as an interviewee in the 1995 documentary The Celluloid Closet, where the out actor discussed the depiction of homosexuality on the big screen. See that essential film, if you haven't.

What are your favorite Granger memories? Leave 'em in the comments.



Comments

  • NP says:

    I know it's not considered Hitch's greatest, but _Rope_ is one of my favorites, in no small part because of Granger. RIP.

  • Entertainment2u-Twitter says:

    Met him at a book signing several years ago -- could not have been a classier, nicer guy. RIP

  • The Lady Eve says:

    My favorite Farley Granger performances are in Hitchcock's "Strangers on a Train," Visconti's "Senso" and Nicholas Ray's "They Live By Night." But he made several other worthwhile films before heading for New York and the stage (he won an Obie in 1986). Bless him.

  • Mike the Movie Tyke says:

    Strangers On A Train is SUCH a good movie, perfect in many ways, and Granger and Robert Walker (who lived a shorter, much sadder and broken-hearted life than Granger) are terrific. If for some reason you haven't seen it, see it. A good, long life, Farley--hope you enjoyed it.

  • Quirky- says:

    Coincidentally, I believe they were also the three films the good man cited himself as favourites.
    His autobiography was a fascinating read, too.

  • Brian Clark says:

    They Live by Night is one of my favorite movies. His face was perfect for that role, and I think his performance under Nicolas Ray is a huge reason of why the movie manages to work so well while being equal parts silly and devastating.
    I saw him speak recently at a screening of it, and he was still sharp and amusing, though he seemed totally baffled by most of Ray's later films. Though, I guess a lot of people were.
    Rest in peace.

  • JD says:

    RIP and thanks, Mr. Granger, but can Movieline stop the hyperventilating? For all his (and Hitch's) talents, he was not a "film legend." Not everyone who dies in Elizabeth Taylor's wake gains her status.

  • abby says:

    RIP 🙁

  • gaius cilius says:

    Farley Granger certainly was a screen legend with an unforgettable presence on film....besides his best known films my favorites are "Roseanna McCoy" in which he played the verboten Hatfield boy, "The Purple Heart" as a P.O.W., and "I Want You" and "Our Very Own" He was always memorable, even in his first film as a brave teenage Russian peasant fighting Nazi invaders in that propaganda turkey "North Star."

  • Qtpysusie says:

    Yes, Mr Granger, although below the radar most of his life, was a true screen legend, wake of Elizabeth Taylor or not. I am saddened by his passing. Check out his movies before passing him off as just another actor. RIP Mr Granger.

  • Genene Simmons says:

    Stranger on a Train was he was a great actor I notice the tribute on TCM we just lost Ms. Taylor now Farley what a great loss Im old school

  • christi gibel says:

    A sad day and a huge loss of another great of old Hollywood. Farley was talented and sincere and I will miss him. Too bad there are not more like him. See you on the other side and save a seat for me Farley.

  • terrence says:

    He was a great star.Loved his films but in later years he played a role on'One Life To Live'.

  • Brandon says:

    Farley Granger leaves behind a number of noteworthy films besides the three famous classics of which he was most proud: They Live by Night (1947, directed by Nick Ray and released in 1949), Rope (1948, directed by Alfred Hitchcock), and Strangers on a Train (1951, also directed by Hitchcock). He was sensitive, vulnerable, with a nervous tension, suave, and he had a lot of charm. He was a fine actor and a class act.