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Cary Grant’s ex-wife Dyan Cannon is still juggling suitors at 88 years old.
The actress opened up about her active love life at the 10th Annual Hollywood Beauty Awards on Sunday, April 6.
When People asked her if she’s dating anyone, she responded, “Of course.” She did not name names but told the outlet that it’s “somebody very special.” She then corrected herself, adding: “Several special [people]. … I have friends with benefits, yes.”
The Oscar-nominated star of such films as Heaven Can Wait and Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice began dating Grant, the Old Hollywood icon, in 1961. He was 33 years older than her. They married in 1965 and welcomed their only daughter, Jennifer, the following year. Grant and Cannon divorced in 1968.
Cannon went on to marry her second husband, attorney Stanley Fimberg, in 1985. They divorced in 1991.
She has dated famous men including the legendary Tonight Show host Johnny Carson, who died in 2005 at age 79. She spoke with People about their secret relationship being included in a recent CBS Sunday News special called The Hidden Side of Johnny Carson.
Cary Grant, Dyan Cannon and baby Jennifer in 1966. Bettmann Collection
“I’ve been hearing constantly about Johnny Carson,” Cannon told the outlet. “It’s on a lot. They’re running it, running it, running it.”
Cannon is delighted that their love story is still being told.
“I rattled him, and I love that. We love it when we rattle men who aren’t usually rattled, don’t we?” Cannon revealed. “He loved it. He loved it. We used to go to restaurants, and they’d shut down the entire restaurant for him.”
She added: “He was a special man. I’ve known a lot of special men. And there’s more to come.”
After divorcing Grant in the late ‘60s, Cannon had asked that he only be permitted to see their child on occasion. They ultimately formed a healthy friendship and custody arrangement, and Grant was a devoted father to Jennifer up to his death in 1986.
“My private scars are no longer open for inspection,” Cannon told People of her ex-husband in 1977. “Cary and I went through our own hell. Now we’ve become good friends.”
As for Jennifer, now 59, Grant had called her “the most winsome, captivating girl I’ve ever known, and I’ve known quite a few. We have an honest relationship. We level with each other,” he said, according to People.
