James Stewart

Date of Birth: May 20, 1908

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: July 2, 1997

Biography

James Stewart, whose full name was James Maitland Stewart, was an iconic American actor known for his distinctive drawl and everyman screen persona. Born on May 20, 1908, in Indiana, Pennsylvania, Stewart enjoyed a career that spanned over five decades, during which he appeared in a wide variety of films ranging from comedies to thrillers to westerns. He became one of the most beloved actors in Hollywood history, earning five Academy Award nominations and winning one for Best Actor for his role in “The Philadelphia Story” (1940). Stewart’s career began in the theater, but he transitioned to film in the late 1930s, quickly becoming a favorite of both audiences and directors. He was known for his collaborations with directors Frank Capra and Alfred Hitchcock, starring in classics such as “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” (1939), “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946), “Rear Window” (1954), and “Vertigo” (1958). In addition to his film career, Stewart was a decorated war hero, serving as a bomber pilot during World War II and eventually rising to the rank of Brigadier General in the United States Air Force Reserve. James Stewart passed away on July 2, 1997, in Beverly Hills, California, but he remains a lasting symbol of American film and culture.

5 Interesting Facts about James Stewart

1. James Stewart was the first major American movie star to enlist in World War II, serving as a bomber pilot.

2. He earned an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in “The Philadelphia Story” (1940).

3. Stewart starred in “It’s a Wonderful Life,” a film that has become a perennial Christmas classic.

4. He was a close friend of director Frank Capra, who cast him in several of his most famous films.

5. Stewart received an honorary Academy Award in 1985 for his contributions to the motion picture industry.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from James Stewart

1. “If I had my career over again? Maybe I’d say to myself, speed it up a little.”

2. “I always told Hitch that it would have been better to put seats on the side of the screen so that the boys could watch the girls go by.”

3. “Never treat your audience as customers, always as partners.”

4. “The secret to a happy ending is knowing when to roll the credits.”

5. “I’d like people to remember me as someone who was good at his job and seemed to mean what he said.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, James Stewart’s net worth was estimated to be around $30 million.

Children

James Stewart had four children: two daughters, Judy Stewart-Merrill and Kelly Stewart-Harcourt, with his wife Gloria Hatrick McLean, and two stepsons, Ronald and Michael McLean, from Gloria’s previous marriage.