Cary Grant’s ex-wife Dyan Cannon, 86, says she’s ‘alive now’ as actress reveals prayer ‘keeps her straight’ in life: ‘I’m a big God girl’

Cary Grant’s ex-wife Dyan Cannon revealed that she is “alive now,” while also crediting prayer with keeping her “on the straight and narrow” in life.

The Heaven Can Wait actress, 86 – whose short-lived marriage to the Hollywood icon is being portrayed in a new show called Archie – opened up about her faith Page six at the Britbox series premiere in New York on Monday.

“Praying, that’s what keeps me on the straight and narrow,” the stat told the outlet, adding, “I’m a big God girl.”

“After some of the things I went through, I couldn’t understand the world anymore, so I had to move on to something that made sense.”

Cannon stated that she “realized” and also understood that “there really is something bigger than me that protects, guides and nourishes me, and I believe that.”

“I’m alive now,” Dyan admitted. “I just started to understand that there is something bigger than me that I can trust, because I can’t trust a lot of what’s out there because it’s constantly changing my mind.”

The actress also discussed how she continues to stay fit and active as she prepares to celebrate her 87th birthday next month in January.

“I’m at a place in my life where I can eat anything except exercise. I try to do something at least three to four times a week.’

Cannon looked youthful while attending the Archie premiere in the Big Apple at The Paley Center for Media.

She opted for an all-black ensemble that consisted of figure-hugging black pants and a long-sleeved satin shirt with puffy shoulders.

The Such Good Friends star donned a pair of black heeled ankle boots and was proudly accompanied by her daughter, Jennifer Grant, who she welcomed with Cary during their three-year marriage.

The former couple tied the knot in 1965, when she was at the start of her career and Grant was at the height of his. The North By Northwest actor was 61 at the time of the marriage, and Dyan 33 years his junior at 28.

The following year, their daughter – and Cary’s only child – was born, but the couple separated in 1968 when their divorce was finalized.

Archie is based on Dyan’s 2011 memoir, Dear Cary: My Life With Cary Grant. Both she and daughter Jennifer also served as executive producers of the miniseries.

The premise follows: “the life of Hollywood’s greatest leading man, Archibald Alexander Leach – aka Cary Grant,” according to an official. IMDB summary.

The show not only depicts Grant during his career in Hollywood, but also his difficult upbringing as a child.

Four actors were cast to play Grant through the decades, including Jason Isaacs. Other stars cast in the project include Laura Aikman (who plays Dyan), as well as Harriet Walter and Kara Tointon.

During a recent interview on New York liveCannon opened up about the series and her past relationship with the Hollywood icon.

Cary had four marriages in total, but only welcomed a child with Dyan, which she explained, “I think it’s because he trusted me because he felt safe.”

She also talked about Isaacs’ performance as Grant and the decision to ultimately cast him.

“He doesn’t really look like Cary physically at times, but he nails Cary. He’s got him tooth and nail. He really understood the man.”

As the Harry Potter alum prepared for the role, Dyan explained that both she and the actor would have “great conversations” about Cary — whose real name is Archibald Leach.

While talking CBS Sunday morning in an article published earlier this month, Jason stated, “I’m not Cary Grant. But he wasn’t Cary Grant either, that’s the point.’

“He invented Cary Grant,” adding that it was “a character to save him from himself, build a career and try to exercise his demons.”

Dyan – who was also part of the interview – was later asked: ‘Did Cary Grant play Cary Grant at your house? Did he ever drop that facade?’

She replied, “Oh yes, of course he did. Real people have emotions. He had a very difficult childhood. He was abandoned, felt left alone, unloved, unnecessary, unwanted, deprived…’

“And who we came to know as Cary was, of course, this magnificent, beautiful leading man – a personality that never stopped. He was so graceful! And what a beautiful body. And he never played sports – and I used to find that really annoying!’

Cannon’s memoir hit the New York Times bestseller list and delves into their relationship and details about Grant’s own upbringing.

During the late actor’s childhood, a young Archie was abandoned by his father, who told Cary that his mother had died when he was just 10 years old.

However, twenty years later he discovered that his mother had been placed in a mental institution.

Within Dyan’s marriage to Grant, the actress also described his controlling behavior and recalled in another instance that he forced her to take LSD.