A Twist of Fate: Dinner with Cary Grant

In late 1939, Rosalind Russell embarked on shooting the classic comedy His Girl Friday, starring alongside the dashing Cary Grant. "My mom always told me how thrilled she was when Cary casually mentioned, 'I’d really like to have dinner with you on Friday night,'" reminisces her son, Lance Brisson. Little did she know, this seemingly simple invitation would lead her down an unexpected path.

When Rosalind and Cary finally sat down at the iconic Chasen’s restaurant in Los Angeles, things didn’t quite go as planned. "A Danish gentleman unexpectedly joined their table, inserting himself into the conversation," Lance recalls. It turned out to be quite the surprise—Rosalind had unknowingly been set up. Fast forward two years, and she married that very same Danish man, Freddie Brisson, a talent manager who became her lifelong partner.

The Strong-Willed Starlet

Freddie had his work cut out for him convincing Rosalind to give him a chance. Like many of the powerful women she portrayed during her illustrious five-decade career, including her most iconic role as Auntie Mame, Rosalind was nothing short of a force to be reckoned with. "She was incredibly strong and intelligent," Lance shares. Beyond her professional achievements, Rosalind was deeply empathetic, often masking her own struggles while battling health issues.

Read also:
Mika Brzezinski Shares Couplersquos Workout Moment With Husband Joe Scarborough

Freddie once wrote, "Rosalind was a life affirmer, a fighter." He added, "Much like Scaramouche, she was born 'with the gift of laughter and the sense the world was mad.'" Her resilience defined her both on and off-screen.

From Stage to Screen

Rosalind, the middle child of seven, humorously referred to herself as "the ham in the sandwich." After graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, she made her mark in New York theater before Hollywood came calling. "I found myself in movies opposite Joan Crawford and Jean Harlow," she wrote in her 1977 autobiography. "And guess what? I kept stealing their men!" In real life, Rosalind maintained close friendships with legends like Jimmy Stewart and Gary Cooper, earning the nickname "The Bachelor Girl of Hollywood" until Freddie came along.

Marriage and Motherhood Amidst Career Success

The 1940s saw Rosalind diving headfirst into her career, churning out film after film. As author Bernard Dick, who penned Forever Mame: The Life of Rosalind Russell, explains, "She was all about her career back then." Yet, Freddie managed to balance her hectic lifestyle, acting as secretary, confidant, and dancing partner. "He made everything fun," Rosalind once gushed.

However, Rosalind's relentless drive, coupled with probable postpartum depression and the wartime departures of her three brothers and Freddie, culminated in a nervous breakdown. Despite these challenges, Lance fondly remembers feeling deeply loved by his mother. "Even during tough times, she was incredibly caring," he says. A devoted sports fan, Rosalind cherished taking her son to Dodgers games.

Trials and Triumphs

Tragically, Rosalind's health battles didn't end there. She underwent a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Then, in 1969, she faced another hurdle—rheumatoid arthritis, a poorly understood condition at the time. Yet, Rosalind refused to let it define her. "Even while suffering immensely, she traveled across the country raising awareness," Lance recalls. Today, the University of California, San Francisco's arthritis research center proudly bears her name.

Rosalind passed away at 69 in 1976, but her legacy endures. Through her unforgettable characters and tireless charity work, she remains an inspiration. "She never forgot where she came from or the importance of giving back—not just financially, but through her time and energy," Lance emphasizes. Despite her personal hardships, she remained a beacon of hope and generosity.