James Stewart was an American actor who is best known for It’s a Wonderful Life, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and Vertigo.
Personal and Family Life
James Maitland Stewart was born on May 20, 1908, in Indiana, Pennsylvania. He was raised in a family that owned a hardware store and had Scottish, Ulster-Scots, and some English ancestry. Stewart was married to Gloria Stewart from August 9, 1949, until her death in 1994, and they had two children together, Kelly and Judy. He also had a brother and a sister, Mary and Virginia Stewart.
Career
Stewart began his acting career in college and moved to Hollywood in 1934. He gained fame during the 1930s with roles in films directed by notable directors like Frank Capra. Stewart served in the U.S. Army during World War II and reached the rank of colonel. After the war, he starred in many classic films, earning a reputation for playing memorable roles in various genres, including Westerns and thrillers.
Death and Legacy
On July 2, 1997, James Stewart passed away from cardiac arrest and a pulmonary embolism, surrounded by his family at his home in Beverly Hills, California. He was 89 years old. Stewart is remembered as one of America’s greatest actors, known for his iconic voice and relatable characters.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Anatomy of a Murder | 1959-01-07 | Paul Biegler |
| Vertigo | 1958-05-28 | Det. John ‘Scottie’ Ferguson |
| Rear Window | 1954-08-01 | L.B. ‘Jeff’ Jefferies |
| It’s a Wonderful Life | 1946-12-20 | George Bailey |
| Mr. Smith Goes to Washington | 1939-10-19 | Jefferson Smith |
| The Philadelphia Story | 1940-12-05 | Macaulay ‘Mike’ Connor |
| The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance | 1962-04-13 | Ransom Stoddard |
| Harvey | 1950-12-04 | Elwood P. Dowd |
| The Glenn Miller Story | 1954-01-04 | Glenn Miller |
| Call Northside 777 | 1948-02-13 | P.J. ‘Jim’ McNeal |
| The Spirit of St. Louis | 1957-04-01 | Charles Augustus ‘Slim’ Lindbergh |