Cary Grant's daughter Jennifer Grant writes about her father in new book 'Good Stuff: A Reminiscence of My Father, Cary Grant'

MOVIE LEGEND Cary Grant was married five times and starred with the most beautiful women of his era(s) - Irene Dunne, Katharine Hepburn, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly - but he had only one leading lady: his daughter Jennifer.

Born when Grant was 62 - to brief wife No. 4, Dyan Cannon - Jennifer was the apple of her father's eye until he died suddenly 20 years later. He retired from the movie business to be her dad. He raised her in relative seclusion away from prodding photographers, and aware of his advanced age and mortality, documented much of their life together on note cards, in still photos, on audiotapes and home movies. From the time he divorced Cannon in 1968 (they shared custody and love for Jennifer after an acrimonious breakup) to the time he started seriously dating Barbara Harris in the late 1970s, when Jennifer was already a teenager, there weren't even many girlfriends.

As he did with most things, Grant took fatherhood seriously - but not solemnly. He was a strict parent, cautious with a buck but with an unending sense of curiosity and fun. The real Grant was very much like the actor of his 1930s screwball comedies - athletic, graceful, charming, witty and in love.

With his daughter.

Now 25 years after Grant's death, Jennifer, 45, has finally given in to the advice of friends and decided to share the father she knew with the world. The result is Good Stuff: A Reminiscence of My Father, Cary Grant (Knopf, $24.95), a detailed, doting book about growing up under the wing of one of the 20th century's most famous men.

"The process," Jennifer said via phone last week, "was remarkably cathartic. I'd sit and listen to my father's voice - having not heard some of these tapes for 30 years and hearing his voice laying me down for a nap, our giggles and cooking dinner - and I remembered all those wonderful days. Normal days."

Best known as an actress for her role as Celeste Lundy in "Beverly Hills, 90210," Jennifer said she also wrote the book to re-shine a positive light on her father and stardom.

"There's a sad aspect to a lot of celebrity, and I actually had a dad who was amazing," she said.

"We all decide who we choose to become," Jennifer said about the image-crafting of celebrities, "and he chose to become someone really wonderful."