Welcome to IAWL.COM!It's a Wonderful LifeIt's a Wonderful Life Facts and InformationJimmy Stewart BiographyJimmy Stewart James Stewart James Maitland Stewart (May 20, 1908 - July 2, 1997) was an American film actor beloved for his persona as an average guy who faces adversity and tries to do the right thing, an image which was largely reflected in his own personality. James Stewarts's Awards Stewart was born in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and later left his film career to serve in the U.S. Army Air Forces in World War II, becoming heavily decorated. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in 1940's The Philadelphia Story, in which he co-starred with Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn. He was awarded the American Film Institute's lifetime achievement award in 1980, as well as an Honorary Academy Award for 50 years of memorable performances in 1985. Jimmy Stewart's Films Stewart spoke in a hemming-and-hawing style which was sometimes hard on sound men but came through as sincerity to his audience. His career was therefore built around playing a clean-cut person with good values, and his hesitating acting style gave his characters a natural feel not seen in many movies of his time. His early film career is perhaps most notable for the films he made with director Frank Capra, including You Can't Take It With You (1938) and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939). His portrayal of the central character in Capra's It's a Wonderful Life (1946), his first film after returning from the war, was a defining performance in his career. Jimmy Stewart's Military Career His first posting in the U.S. Army Air Forces was at Moffett Field, California. His final mission in the U.S. Air Force before retirement was a bombing mission over Vietnam that he specifically requested as a close for his military career. After the war, he was an appropriate choice to play the famous aviator Charles Lindbergh, in The Spirit of Saint Louis (1957), and would appear in other films dealing with aviation such as The Flight of the Phoenix (1965). In an episode of The World at War (1974), he was one of several former airmen interviewed about his World War II flying career. Jimmy Stewart's Marriage At the age of 41, Stewart married his wife Gloria, and was devoted to her until her death. She already had two children from a previous marriage, and they had two more children together. Jimmy Stewart's Films Later in his career, Stewart tried for a slight change of image; although still the hero, he began to play more challenging parts with a harder edge to them. He starred in four highly regarded Alfred Hitchcock films: Rope (1948), Rear Window (1954), The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956), and Vertigo (1958). He also starred in many classic westerns, and in Harvey (1950), Anatomy of a Murder (1959), and the title role in The Glenn Miller Story (1953). Jimmy Stewart's Grave Jimmy Stewart is interred in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California. James Stewart Museum A museum dedicated to Jimmy's life (The Jimmy Stewart Museum) is located in his hometown of Indiana, Pennsylvania. There is also a statue of Indianna's favorite son on the lawn in front of the Indiana County Courthouse which was dedicated May 20, 1983 in celebration of Jimmy's 75th Birthday.
|