Jimmy
Stewart
Born in Indiana, Pennsylvania to the owner of a hardware store owner
in 1908, It truly was wonderful life for this beloved screen actor.
James Maitland Stewart fell in love hard, with acting at the then
all male Princeton University, where he studied architecture and became
actively involved with several of the University's groups including
the University Players. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in
1932, Stewart heeded the call of the screen artist and made an intrepid
journey to Hollywood where he was fortunate enough to land a deal
with the reputable MGM studios, garnering him bit parts in every sort
of theatrical genre one could imagine.
In 1938, after a few years of small parts in musicals, Stewart's big
break came with his considerably larger roles in "Vivacious Lady"
co-starring the unforgettable Ginger Rogers and "You can't take
it with you", that year's Oscar winner for best picture.
From these two roles came a freight train of a cinematic career which
continued to roar and gain more ground in 1939 with a blockbuster
performance in "Mr. Smith goes to Washington", a film which
would land Stewart his first Oscar nomination and set a dramatic standard
through Stewart's impassioned performance. With such notice being
taken of Stewart for his performance in films such as the above and
the western comedy "Destry rides again", it seemed as if
he was on top of the world. Stewart's success continued with a 1940
Oscar for best actor for "The Philadelphia Story". His career
would be marked with three more nominations.
It was not long, however, before this remarkable man felt the need
to serve his country in its time of crisis. Even before the Japanese
attack on Pearl Harbor, Stewart enlisted in the Army Air Corps in
1941, where he served a distinguished tour of duty, rising to the
rank of Colonel and receiving several military honors including an
Air Medal and a Distinguished Flying Cross for his service as a bomber
pilot.
Returning to Hollywood intent on resuming an illustrious and prolific
film career, Stewart's first post war effort, "It's a Wonderful
Life" was a box office bomb and an indicator that it was time
to alter his cinematic style and role preference. With such classic
performances such as those in "Rope" (1948), "The Greatest
Show on earth" (1952) , "Vertigo" (1958), Stewart was
able to reprise his Hollywood status as a big time player.
With the rest of his life choc full of accomplishment including a
Marriage to Gloria Mclean in 1949 and a lifetime achievement award
from the Film Society of London Center, Stewart was able to round
out his career with a voice part in 1991's "An American Tale:
Fivel Goes West", illustrating his devotion to his craft and
his range of ability right up until the time of his death in 1997
in Beverly Hills. California.
Leaving behind one of the most notable legacies of the silver screen,
it is clear that Stewart was better suited for film then architecture.