He was born in London, his real name being James Lablanche Stewart. He was obliged to change it in order to enter an acting career. In 1933, he made his first film appearance as an extra. In 1938, he married the actress, Elspeth March. His first starring role was in The Man in Grey (1943). After ten years of marriage and two children, he was divorced and soon afterwards married another actress, Jean Simmons, with whom he had starred in Adam and Evelyne.
Granger went on to appear in numerous adventure films, including: