What Happened to the “To Catch a Thief” Cast? Inside the Stars’ Lives After the Romance Premiered

Caroline BlairSat, August 22, 2026 at 11:30 AM UTC

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Cary Grant and Grace Kelly in ‘To Catch a Thief’Credit: Paramount -

Cary Grant and Princess Grace starred in the 1955 Alfred Hitchcock classic To Catch a Thief

The film marked one of her last acting credits before she retired the following year to become the Princess of Monaco

Several of the other stars continued appearing in films and television shows over the next several decades

It’s been more than 70 years since To Catch a Thief came to theaters.

The Alfred Hitchcock-directed film, which premiered on Aug. 3, 1955, starred Cary Grant and Princess Grace. He portrayed reformed jewel thief John Robie who must clear his name by finding a criminal copying him and stealing from wealthy tourists — including the oil heiress Frances Stevens (Princess Grace).

Along the way, John and Frances start to develop feelings for one another, but it’s still a complicated situation with John’s past and having to prove he’s changed. In addition to navigating his feelings for Frances, John is still under the clock to unmask the true thief.

The beloved film also features Jessie Royce Landis as Jessie Stevens, John Williams as H.H. Hughson, Charles Vanel as Monsieur Bertani, Brigitte Auber as Danielle Foussard, Jean Martinelli as Foussard and Georgette Anys as Germaine.

Here’s everything to know about what happened to the To Catch a Thief cast.

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Cary Grant

Cary Grant in ‘To Catch a Thief’; Cary Grant in Los Angeles in November 1984Credit: Paramount; Vinnie Zuffante/Getty

Cary Grant, who portrayed John Robie, had a decades-long career as one of Hollywood’s most charming leading men. The English-American actor developed a close relationship with Hitchcock prior to his role in To Catch a Thief, and he went on to act in his 1959 film North by Northwest.

Grant continued acting for another decade and starred in An Affair to Remember, Operation Petticoat and Charade, among others. He retired from acting in 1966 after welcoming his daughter, Jennifer Grant, with then-wife Dyan Cannon.

Grant was married five times — including to wife Barbara Harris, to whom he was married from 1981 until his death. On Nov. 29, 1986, Grant died after suffering a stroke. He was 82 years old.

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Princess Grace

Grace Kelly in ‘To Catch a Thief’; Grace Kelly on June 16, 1982Credit: Paramount; STAFF/AFP via Getty

Princess Grace starred as Frances Stevens in To Catch a Thief, and even though she was in her early 20s, it marked one of her final roles as an actress. Similar to Grant, Princess Grace became known for working with Hitchcock and rose to fame with his films Rear Window and Dial M for Murder, in addition To Catch a Thief.

Princess Grace won an Academy Award for her performance in the 1954 film The Country Girl and also earned three Golden Globes. After To Catch a Thief, she appeared in The Swan and her last movie, the 1956 film High Society.

Princess Grace retired from acting in 1956 when she was 26 years old to marry Prince Rainier III and embrace her duties as the Princess of Monaco. She and Prince Rainier went on to welcome three children together: Princess Caroline, Prince Albert and Princess Stéphanie.

During her time as a royal, she partnered with various philanthropic organizations and founded her own nonprofit.

On Sept. 13, 1982, Princess Grace drove off the road after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage. She was taken to the hospital but died the following day after having a second hemorrhage. She was 52 years old.

Princess Grace’s funeral was held a few days later and was attended by Grant, Princess Diana and Nancy Reagan, among others. Her death took a significant toll on Grant, who developed a close friendship with her after To Catch a Thief, and he continued to visit Princess Grace’s children in Monaco and joined the board of the Princess Grace Foundation.

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Brigitte Auber

Brigitte Auber in ‘To Catch a Thief’; Brigitte Auber in Paris on Dec. 19, 2019Credit: Paramount; Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty

Brigitte Auber, who portrays the mysterious Danielle Foussard, is a French actress who previously acted in French films before having her international breakout in To Catch a Thief.

Auber continued acting in various roles — including the miniseries Mauregard. Her last known role was the 2025 film Forever. She was most recently photographed attending the Paris premiere of Le Sainte Famille in 2019.

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Jessie Royce Landis

Jessie Royce Landis in ‘To Catch a Thief’; Jessie Royce Landis in March 1963Credit: Paramount; Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty

Jessie Royce Landis starred as Princess Grace’s on-screen mother, Jessie Stevens.

Although To Catch a Thief marked the first time she worked with Princess Grace, Grant and Hitchcock, it was not their last film together. Landis portrayed Grant’s character’s mother in the 1959 Hitchcock film North by Northwest and played Princess Grace’s mom for a second time in the 1956 movie The Swan.

Landis also acted in Goodbye Again, Bon Voyage! and Gidget Goes to Rome. Her last role was in the 1970 film Airport. The actress was married three times and shared one son with her first husband, Perry Lester.

Landis died on Feb. 2, 1972, from cancer. She was 75 years old.

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John Williams

John Williams in ‘To Catch a Thief’Credit: Paramount

John Williams, who portrayed insurance agent H.H. Hughson, was another actor who had a long history with Hitchcock films.

Prior to To Catch a Thief, Williams starred in the 1954 movie Dial M for Murder, alongside Princess Grace, as well as the 1947 film The Paradine Case. Williams also appeared in Witness for the Prosecution, Family Affair and The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes, among other films.

His final acting credit was the 1978 movie Hot Lead and Cold Feet.

On May 5, 1983, Williams died from a heart condition. He was 80 years old. Williams was married to a woman named Helen.

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Charles Vanel

Charles Vanel in ‘To Catch a Thief’; Charles Vanel in St. Tropez on Aug. 21, 1987Credit: Paramount

Charles Vanel played Grant’s on-screen friend and restaurant owner Monsieur Bertani in To Catch a Thief.

The French actor had a 65-year acting career and appeared in over 200 films in his lifetime — including The Wages of Fear,Death in the Garden, Diabolique, The Truth and Three Brothers. His final film appearance was in Jean-Pierre Mocky’s 1988 film Les Saisons du plaisir.

He retired near Cannes with his wife, Arlette Bailly. Vanel died on April 15, 1989, at 96 years old, per The New York Times.

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Jean Martinelli

Jean Martinelli in ‘To Catch a Thief’Credit: Paramount

Jean Martinelli, who starred as Auber’s on-screen father Foussard, was a French actor who primarily had roles in French films. Martinelli had later roles in Some Like It Hot, The Twelve Tasks of Asterix and The Beast.

Martinelli was married to French actress Nadine Basile up until his death on March 13, 1983.

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Georgette Anys

Georgette Anys in ‘To Catch a Thief’; Georgette Anys on Dec. 15, 1962, in ParisCredit: Paramount; Keystone-France/Gamma-Rapho via Getty

Georgette Anys was another French actress who primarily worked in French film and television, except for her role as housekeeper Germaine in To Catch a Thief. She went on to have appearances in Fanny, In the Manner of Sherlock Holmes and Love Is a Ball.

Anys died on March 4, 1993, at 85 years old.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”