These stars brought Hitchcock's extraordinary vision to life, creating movie magic that echoes through time!

The famous filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock is known for making suspenseful movies with clever camera work and editing. His unique style makes him a central figure in his films. However, these films also feature unforgettable characters portrayed by Hollywood big shots. Their performances withstand the test of time and will be remembered in the history of cinema. Let's explore the interesting celebrity roles in Hitchcock's movies!

Cary Grant 

Cary Grant was an English-born actor hailed by the American Film Institute as the second-greatest actor of Hollywood's Golden Age. He became famous for his roles in screwball comedies and Hitchcock films, with his feature film debut in the 1932 comedy "This is the Night" and a breakthrough in the 1937 screwball comedy "Topper" following several financially unsuccessful films. 

Transitioning from comedy, Grant starred in Hitchcock's romantic noir "Suspicion" in 1941, demonstrating his versatility in portraying both charming and sinister characters. Collaborating with Hitchcock on three more films, including "Notorious" and "To Catch a Thief," "North By Northwest" is considered his most iconic Hitchcock film and one of his signature roles. Despite earning two Academy Award nominations, Grant never secured an Oscar win. In 1970, he received an honorary Academy Award, acknowledging his significant contributions to the world of cinema.

Farley Granger 

Farley Granger took on the roles of the hesitant killer in Hitchcock's "Rope" and the blackmailed husband in "Strangers on a Train." In "Rope," Phillip Morgan (played by Granger) requires persuasion from his roommate to murder a former schoolmate they perceive as less intelligent. Granger masterfully conveys Morgan's inner turmoil through profuse sweating, a shaky voice, and expressive eyes, captivating the audience as he reveals he's not cut out for murder. 

Hitchcock, appreciating the tall, dark, and handsome leading man archetype, found the perfect fit in Granger. "Strangers on a Train" centres around Guy Haines (Granger), who unwittingly becomes entangled in a quid pro quo with a train stranger—a pact where the stranger will murder Haines' wife if Haines reciprocates. This storyline epitomises Hitchcockian suspense and intrigue.

Kim Novak 

In Hitchcock's widely praised psychological thriller, "Vertigo," the character Madeleine Elster takes on an intriguing twist as a subversion of the typical femme fatale. The shocking reveal later exposes that she had been deceiving everyone, and her true identity is Judy Barton. 

Kim Novak may not have been Hitchcock's first choice for the role, but she gave an excellent performance. Novak expertly creates a sense of mystery about the character before the major plot twist, showing wonderful chemistry with James Stewart.

Grace Kelly 

Grace Kelly, a cinematic icon and Princess of Monaco, stands as one of Hitchcock's prominent leading ladies. Born in 1929 in Philadelphia, Kelly developed an early passion for acting. After participating in various local productions, she gained acceptance to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. Kelly made her mark in the classic 1952 Western "High Noon," opposite Gary Cooper, which received four Academy Award nominations and is regarded as one of the greatest films ever. 

Catching Hitchcock's attention, Kelly starred as the lead in the director's 1954 crime thriller, "Dial M for Murder," alongside Ray Milland and Robert Cummings. The film received positive reviews, highlighting Kelly's strong performance and the captivating costume design by the legendary Edith Head, who worked on all of Kelly's films. Kelly continued her collaboration with Hitchcock in the iconic psychological thriller "Rear Window," co-starring James Stewart. In the same year, she won her first and only Academy Award for her role in "The Country Girl," alongside Bing Crosby. The following year, Kelly starred in her third Hitchcock film, "To Catch a Thief," marking one of her final roles as an actress.

Janet Leigh 

When Psycho hit theatres in 1960, Janet Leigh was one of the biggest movie stars in the world. Her massive star power sold the shock of the midpoint murder twist. Yes, that casting trick has been borrowed over and over since then, but back in '60, it was groundbreaking. Thanks to the unforgettable shower scene, Leigh became the ultimate "scream queen" in the world of horror. 

While Alfred Hitchcock is universally acknowledged for his groundbreaking work and legacy, these major stars also played a vital role in cementing Hitchcock's exceptional cinematic vision.