Farley Granger

Farley Granger was an American actor best known for his roles in the Alfred Hitchcock films Rope (1948) and Strangers on a Train (1951). Throughout his career, Granger appeared in more than 35 films, as well as numerous stage productions and television shows. He received critical acclaim for his performances in films such as They Live by Night (1948), Edge of Doom (1950), and Senso (1954). Despite his success, Granger retired from acting in the 1980s and pursued a career in interior design.

In 2007, Farley Granger made headlines when he published his memoir, Include Me Out, which included his revelation that he was bi. Granger’s candidness about his sexuality was considered groundbreaking, particularly given the conservative attitudes towards homosexuality that were prevalent in Hollywood during the 1940s and 1950s. In the book, Granger discussed his relationships, including his romance with fellow actors Ava Gardner, Shelley Winters, and Leonard Bernstein. Despite the pressure to conform to Hollywood norms, Farley Granger refused to participate in the common practice of marrying for publicity purposes during the peak of his stardom. This earned him a reputation as a “naughty boy,” a label he embraced. In the 1960s, he met Robert Calhoun, with whom he would spend the rest of his life. The couple’s long-term partnership was a testament to Granger’s comfort with his sexuality and his refusal to hide it. Granger’s contribution to the documentary The Celluloid Closet (1995), which explores LGBT representation in cinema, was significant. He discussed the gay subtext in Alfred Hitchcock’s Rope, highlighting the importance of acknowledging and celebrating diversity in Hollywood.

Granger’s decision to come out publicly as bisexual was widely praised by the LGBT community, who applauded his courage and honesty at a time when many celebrities chose to keep their sexuality a secret. Granger passed away in 2011 at the age of 85, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the world of film and entertainment and most important as an advocate for LGBT rights.