JAMES STEWART

Everyone's Favorite Actor

He was born on May 20, 1908, in Indiana, PA, the oldest of three children and the only son. His father owned a hardware store, and was the stereotype of a small town, rock-solid, upstanding leader - much like Jimmy Stewart would be, and would often portray on the screen.

He received a good education, from the Laboratory School of the local teacher's college, Indiana Normal School (now Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and Mercersburg (PA) Academy, and graduated from Princeton with honors in 1932 with a degree in architecture. He played accordian for a few college stage productions, and after graduation got a similar job That led to actual acting jobs, and his career path was set.

After a few parts in New York plays, he soon went to Hollywood with a contract from MGM, where his first film was "Murder Man" in 1935, starring Spencer Tracy. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his starring role in "Mr. Smith goes to Washington" in 1939, and won an Oscar in 1940 for "The Philadelphia Story".

With the outbreak of WW II, Jimmy had to do his duty. Although a famous movie star, he waved aside such things as making morale-lifting films for the soldiers or other soft duty. Being a pilot, he enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1941 as a private. He did well. Jimmy was promoted to squadron commander, operations officer, and finally to Chief of Staff, 2nd Combat Wing, 2nd Division, 8th Air Force. He flew over 20 combat missions, rose to the rank of Colonel, and returned home a bona fide war hero. He would later rise to Brigadier General in the Air Force Reserve. Any Jimmy Stewart fan would not be surprised to hear that he would not allow the movie studio to use his war record to market him or his films.

In 1950, Jimmy finally married. He had met his beloved Gloria the year before and she provided him with an instant family, bringing Ronald (5) and Michael (2) from a previous marriage. In 1951 they had twin daughters, Judy and Kelly. He was extremely devoted to his family. He was happy to help carry out the family tradition of military service by pinning Ron's lieutenant's bars on as he was commisioned in the Marine Corps in 1968. Ron was killed in Vietnam the following year. Gloria lived until 1994. Jimmy died July 2, 1997.

His favorite, and possibly most famous, movie was made just after the war, in 1947. It's a Wonderful Life tells of a small town man who makes a huge difference in the lives of the people around him. This sounds much like Stewart's actual life, except he would become famous. He was loved not for his talent, but because he reminded us of ourselves, or what we would like to be, and he lived the kind of life we would like our heroes to live.

When the American Film Institute picked its top 100 films, Jimmy Stewart tied (with Robert De Niro) for first place in starring roles in those films. Those films were: "It's a Wonderful Life" (ranked #11), "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" (29), "North by Northwest" (40), "Rear Window" (42), and "The Philadelphia Story" (51).