At 87, This Actress Sparks Strong Reactions to Her Appearance — Seen Her Transformation

Yet, it’s her life away from the spotlight, including her marriage to a screen legend, that reveals a story just as compelling. In her 80s, she reflects on the sacrifices she made for love and the resilience she gained along the way. The story behind her transformation goes much deeper than appearances.

Hollywood’s Golden Girl and a Star on the Walk of Fame

Throughout her illustrious career, this actress built a legacy that still resonates with audiences today. Her talent has earned her three Oscar nominations, three Golden Globe nominations — one of which she won — and a Saturn Award win.

In June 1983, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a mark of her lasting impact on the industry. Her memorable roles in films such as “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice,” “The Last of Sheila,” “Heaven Can Wait,” and “Deathtrap” showcased her ability to bring depth to a wide range of characters.

Whether portraying drama, mystery, or comedy, she captivated audiences with each performance, becoming a household name. But even as her career soared, her personal life was filled with challenges that would eventually shape her outlook on life and love.

A Love That Changed Her Life

In the mid-1960s, she was swept into a romance with Hollywood icon Cary Grant. who pursued her for eight months before she agreed to date him. When they married, she was 28, and he was 61, an age difference of 33 years.

Desperately in love, she tried to adapt to his vision of the ideal partner. “I loved him deeply and was committed to him,” she said. She revealed that Grant had strong opinions about her appearance and demeanor.

“He wanted me to quit my acting career, I did. He wanted to change my hair, the way I dressed, the way I walked, the way I wrote. And I so wanted to make him happy,” she recalled.

Grant’s difficult childhood experiences often resurfaced, adding tension to their marriage. Even with the countless adjustments she made, it was still impossible to fit his ideal. “I would try and close the cupboards more gently…try and drive with both hands on the steering wheel,” she recounted.

She even stopped running to greet him when he got home because he didn’t like it. But over time, she learned a difficult truth. “If you go against your deepest feelings…you’re screwed,” she stated. She realized that no amount of change could make someone truly happy unless it came from within.

Their marriage, which lasted three years, taught her the importance of staying true to herself. While the couple shared beautiful moments and even welcomed a daughter, their differences ultimately led to their separation in 1968.

Walking Away to Find Herself

As her marriage with Grant faltered, the actress made a difficult yet empowering decision to leave, stepping away from a life that no longer aligned with her true self. Grant had proposed they star together in a film called “The Old Man and Me,” but by then, the strain of their relationship had reached a breaking point.

“I couldn’t breathe in that atmosphere anymore,” she explained. Reflecting on the end of her marriage, she shared a mix of regret and gratitude, saying, “I didn’t really want anything from him. I just loved him. There was no agenda there.”

Despite the heartache, she recognized the experiences as valuable steps in her personal growth, eventually helping her to move forward and rebuild. “There are some happy memories with Cary,” she acknowledged. “I’m grateful for the experience. It’s brought me to be the woman I am today.”

With newfound clarity, she began to shape a life true to her own values, no longer sacrificing her identity to please others. This journey of self-discovery became a defining chapter in her life and set her on a path toward inner peace and fulfillment.

Reflections on Motherhood and Declining a Lucrative Opportunity

Though her marriage to Grant ended, it brought her one of her life’s greatest joys: her daughter, Jennifer. Born in 1966, Jennifer was Grant’s only child, a fact that bonded the actress and her former husband even after their separation. Motherhood gave her a new sense of purpose and became a lasting source of fulfillment.

Grant’s influence remained in her life, even after his death in 1986. Just a week after his passing, she was approached by Swifty Lazar, a high-profile agent, who offered her “millions” to write a book about their time together. She declined, unwilling to share those private memories for money.

15 years later, Jackie Kennedy, a book editor, encouraged her to write a memoir, assuring her she could write a book without focusing on Grant. Still, the actress chose to wait, knowing that healing had to come first. It took her another six years to feel ready.

When she eventually decided to pen her memoir, she didn’t focus solely on her famous marriage. Instead, she broadened the story to explore the complexities of relationships and self-discovery.

“It’s about relationships and what people do to themselves and each other under that canopy called love,” she explained. Now, as she continues to make occasional public appearances, reactions to her looks are as varied as her past. Some admire her transformation, while others find her nearly unrecognizable.

Facing Age and Public Criticism

Last year, the actress made a public appearance that sparked a wave of reactions. Fans and critics alike took to social media to share their thoughts on her look at 86. Comments ranged from admiration and surprise to outright criticism.

Some were warm and supportive, with fans saying things like, “Looks great for 86 and walking — what more could you ask for?” and “Nice to see her out living life!”

“I guess 80 is the new 60. Where did the time go,” one fan mused. Others were less kind, with remarks such as, “Too much surgery” and “What happened to her face?”

Most critics attributed her appearance to cosmetic procedures making comments like, “She’s unrecognizable after all that plastic surgery.” Another observer remarked, “Dyan, you should have aged gracefully and beautifully without the surgery.”

While the responses varied, they underscored the public’s fascination with her enduring presence. This mix of reactions also reflects the challenges and pressures of aging in the spotlight.

Finding Strength in Faith

In recent years, actress Dyan Cannon has found peace and purpose through her faith, crediting it as the foundation that keeps her resilient and hopeful. Now in her 80s, she speaks openly about her spirituality, saying, “Praying, that’s what keeps me straight.”

Known for her unwavering commitment to her beliefs, Cannon describes herself as a “big God girl” and has shared how faith became essential for making sense of life’s challenges. “After some of the things I’ve been through, I couldn’t make sense out of the world, so I had to go to something that did make sense,” she explained.

Her faith serves as both a personal anchor and a bridge to helping others. She hosts a monthly Bible study at her home, bringing together friends and community members. Additionally, she volunteers weekly with recovering addicts, offering them encouragement and support.

For her, faith is not just about belief but about actively contributing to the lives of those around her, giving her a renewed sense of fulfillment in her later years. Reflecting on the journey that brought her to this point, she once said, “I have to say that it took me a while to find happiness, but I’m a happy puppy now.”