Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On November 29, 1986, English-American actor Cary Grant died in Davenport. After rehearsals at the Adler Theater, doctors determined Grant suffered a massive stroke, which led to his death at St. Luke’s Hospital the following day.
One of the most enduring leading men of Hollywood’s golden age from the 1930s through the 1960s, Grant endeared himself to audiences around the world with debonair style and comic timing. A repeat costar alongside Katherine Hepburn and an all-time favorite of director Alfred Hitchcock, Grant cemented a significant legacy over a long and prosperous career.
After retiring from film starring, Grant spent many years working in business and other ventures. He arrived in Davenport in November 1986 for a performance at the Adler titled “A Conversation with Cary Grant.” Although he may have shown slight signs of illness during rehearsal on the 29th, he soldiered through for a nearly two-hour rehearsal before retreating backstage.
Returning to rendezvous with his wife at the Blackhawk Hotel, a doctor soon arrived and determined Grant was suffering a stroke after checking a blood pressure reading of 210 over 130. Grant refused to go to the hospital, and the doctor watched him deteriorate until he slipped into a coma. Transported to St. Luke’s, Grant passed away at 11:22 p.m. #IowaOTD #IowaHistoryDaily #IowaHistoryCalendar
