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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.
Stewart was born in Indiana, Pennsylvania. He was studying architecture at Princeton University when fellow classmate Joshua Logan convinced him to join the newly-formed University Players in Massachusetts, where he first met Henry FondaHenry Jaynes Fonda ( May 16, 1905 August 12, 1982) was an acclaimed American film actor beloved for his roles as plain-speaking men of humane decency. He was born in Grand Island, Nebraska to William Brace Fonda and Herberta Krueger Jaynes, and started hi and Margaret SullavanMargaret Brooke Sullavan ( May 16, 1911 January 1, 1960) was an American actress. She was born in Norfolk, Virginia, the daughter of a wealthy stockbroker. She made her Broadway debut in 1931. She married Henry Fonda on December 25 of that year. The marri, among others. Stewart was already a BroadwayNote on spelling: While most Americans use "er" (as per American spelling conventions), the majority of venues, performers and trade groups for live theatre use "re. Broadway theatre is often considered the highest professional form of theatre in the Unit veteran when Hollywood beckoned. He won the Academy Award for Best ActorThe Academy Award for Best Actor is one of the awards given to people working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; nominations are made by Academy members who are actors and actresses. The winners are chosen b in 1940Events January-February January 5 FM radio is demonstrated to the FCC for the first time. January 6 World War II: Mass execution of Poles, committed by Germans in the Poznan, Warthegau. January 12 World War II: Russia bombs cities in Finland. February 2 F for his role in The Philadelphia StoryThe Philadelphia Story is a 1940 romantic screwball comedy starring Jimmy Stewart, Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant. Based on the play of the same name by Philip Barry, the film is about a bride-to-be whose plans are complicated by the simultaneous arriva, in which he co-starred with Cary GrantCary Grant ( January 18, 1904 November 29, 1986) was an English-born American film actor. He was perhaps the foremost exemplar of the debonair leading man, not only handsome, but witty and charming. Born Archibald Alexander Leach in Bristol, he had a conf 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.
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 (although he did play the occasional baddie). His hesitating style gave his characters a natural feel not seen in many movies of his time. His early 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 George Bailey in Capra's It's a Wonderful Life ( 1946), his first film after returning from the war, was a defining performance in his career.
Stewart on cover of Life magazine in 1945 Stewart signed up for the U.S. Army Air Force a year before Pearl Harbor was attacked. His first posting was at Moffett Field, California. His final mission was a bombing run over Vietnam that he specifically requested as a close for his military career. Among his decorations were the Air Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Croix de Guerre and 7 battle stars. In 1959, he served in the Air Force Reserve, before retiring as a brigadier general. After the war, he was an appropriate choice to play Charles Lindbergh, in The Spirit of St. Louis ( 1957), and appeared in other aviation films 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 career.
A ladies' man, Stewart finally settled down at age 41, marrying former model Gloria Hatrick McLean on August 9, 1949, and was devoted to her until her death. He adopted her two sons; one of them, Ronald, died on June 8, 1969 in Vietnam. On May 7, 1951, their twin daughters Judy and Kelly were born.
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. 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 is interred in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California.
A museum dedicated to his life, The Jimmy Stewart Museum , is located in his hometown of Indiana, Pennsylvania. There is also a statue of Indiana's favorite son on the lawn in front of the Indiana County Courthouse which was dedicated May 20, 1983 in celebration of Stewart's 75th birthday.