James Stewart

Birthday: 20 May 1908, Indiana, Pennsylvania, USA

Birth Name: James Maitland Stewart

Height: 191 cm

James Maitland Stewart was born on 20 May 1908 in Indiana, Pennsylvania, to Elizabeth Ruth (Johnson) and Alexander Maitland Stewart, who owned a hardware store. He was of Scottish, Ulster-Scots, and some English, descent.Stewart was educated at a local prep school, Mercersburg Academy, where he was a keen athlete (football and track), musician (singing and accordion playing), and sometime actor. In 1929 he won a place at Princeton, where he studied architecture with some success and became further involved with the performing arts as a musician and actor with the University Players.After graduation, engagements with the University Players took him around the northeastern United States, including a run on Broadway in 1932. But work dried up as the Great Depression deepened, and it wasn't until 1934, when he followed his friend Henry Fonda to Hollywood, that things began to pick up.After his first screen appearance in Art Trouble (1934), he worked for a time for MGM as a contract player and slowly began making a name for himself in increasingly high-profile roles throughout the rest of the 1930s. His famous collaborations with Frank Capra, in You Can't Take It with You (1938), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), and, after World War II, It's a Wonderful Life (1946) helped to launch his career as a star and to establish his screen persona as the likable everyman.Having learned to fly in 1935, he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1940 as a private (after twice failing the medical for being underweight). During the course of World War II he rose to the rank of colonel, first as an instructor at home in the United States, and later on combat missions in Europe. He remained involved with the U.S. Air Force Reserve after the war and retired in 1959 as a brigadier general.Stewart's acting career took off properly after the war. During the course of his long professional life he had roles in some of Hollywood's best remembered films, starring in a string of Westerns (bringing his "everyman" qualities to movies like The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)), biopics (The Stratton Story (1949), The Glenn Miller Story (1954), and The Spirit of St. Louis (1957), for instance) thrillers (most notably his frequent collaborations with Alfred Hitchcock) and even some screwball comedies .He continued to work into the 1990s and died at the age of 89 in 1997. Hide

John Wayne was the greatest cowboy. Henry Fonda was the better actor but John Wayne, well, he was a Show more John Wayne was the greatest cowboy. Henry Fonda was the better actor but John Wayne, well, he was a champ. Hide

[Asked in March 1957 interview "What do you think of your future":] Eventually I'd like to direct. I Show more [Asked in March 1957 interview "What do you think of your future":] Eventually I'd like to direct. I'd like to use the tools I've developed in my years in the movie business. If I haven't learned enough in all this time, I'd better quit and go back to my father's hardware store. Hide

I suppose people can relate to being me, while they dream about being John Wayne. I suppose people can relate to being me, while they dream about being John Wayne.

I was six feet three and 138 pounds. They must have thought I looked like I had just survived a fami Show more I was six feet three and 138 pounds. They must have thought I looked like I had just survived a famine. Hide

[in 1970] I don't think there's any question that the Communists are behind a great deal of unrest i Show more [in 1970] I don't think there's any question that the Communists are behind a great deal of unrest in the United States. In addition, I feel they are still a potential danger in show business. Hide

[on John Wayne] I can't imagine there's anyone in the country who doesn't know who he is. Kids will Show more [on John Wayne] I can't imagine there's anyone in the country who doesn't know who he is. Kids will be talking about him long after the rest of us are gone. John will make the history books, as Will Rogers did, because he as lived his life to reflect the ideals of his country. Hide

[in 1983] I'd like people to remember me as someone who was good at his job and seemed to mean what Show more [in 1983] I'd like people to remember me as someone who was good at his job and seemed to mean what he said. Hide

[10/1/48, upon being named a Pennsylvania Ambassador (he was born and raised in the town of Indiana) Show more [10/1/48, upon being named a Pennsylvania Ambassador (he was born and raised in the town of Indiana) by Gov. James Duff] Indiana means home to me. It is a town for me to cling to, because my mother and father are here. I was born and reared here. I have a great love and pride for Indiana. I love every bit of it. Hide

From 1932 through 1934 I'd only worked three months. Every play I got into folded. From 1932 through 1934 I'd only worked three months. Every play I got into folded.

I've always regretted that I didn't spend more time on the stage because there's nothing like that f Show more I've always regretted that I didn't spend more time on the stage because there's nothing like that for experience - real experience - and to bring you up to snuff as far as the acting is concerned. Hide

[on Grace Kelly] We all say she made as good a princess as she did a movie actress, even better. [on Grace Kelly] We all say she made as good a princess as she did a movie actress, even better.

[on draft-age men who evaded military service during the Vietnam war] I hate them! I absolutely hate Show more [on draft-age men who evaded military service during the Vietnam war] I hate them! I absolutely hate them! Whether right or wrong, their country was at war and their country asked them to serve, and they refused and ran away. Cowards, that's what they were. Hide

[to Philip Van Doren Stern, the author of The Greatest Gift, the short story that inspired It's a Wo Show more [to Philip Van Doren Stern, the author of The Greatest Gift, the short story that inspired It's a Wonderful Life (1946) via letter on December 31st, 1946] More important than anything, thank you for giving us that idea, which I think is the best one anyone has had for a long time. It was an inspiration for everyone concerned with the picture to work in it, because everyone seemed to feel that the fundamental story was so sound and right, and that story was yours, and you should be justly proud of it. Hide

[to longtime friend Ronald Reagan, on his inauguration as US President on 1/20/81] I cannot tell you Show more [to longtime friend Ronald Reagan, on his inauguration as US President on 1/20/81] I cannot tell you, Mr President, just how happy I am to finally be able to call you my Commander-in-Chief. Hide

[on longtime friend Henry Fonda, a liberal Democrat] Our views never interfered with our feelings fo Show more [on longtime friend Henry Fonda, a liberal Democrat] Our views never interfered with our feelings for each other, we just didn't talk about certain things. Hide

It's much easier, for example, to play a heroin addict and you're withdrawing - you tear the ceiling Show more It's much easier, for example, to play a heroin addict and you're withdrawing - you tear the ceiling off - that's much easier than it is to come in and say, "Hello" or "I love you". When you judge it in that way, the heavy isn't as difficult. Hide

[in 1976] I am sixty-eight years old and I feel every damn day of it. [in 1976] I am sixty-eight years old and I feel every damn day of it.

I'm the inarticulate man who tries. I don't really have all the answers, but for some reason, someho Show more I'm the inarticulate man who tries. I don't really have all the answers, but for some reason, somehow, I make it. Hide

[asked how he wanted to be remembered] As someone who believed in hard work and love of country, lov Show more [asked how he wanted to be remembered] As someone who believed in hard work and love of country, love of family and love of community. Hide

John Wayne was probably the biggest star in the world, yet he retained the qualities of a small boy. Show more John Wayne was probably the biggest star in the world, yet he retained the qualities of a small boy. He had the enthusiasm for life that would make a high school football star envious. And through it all, Duke never changed. As a man he was exactly the boy he started out. And as a friend . . . well, you just wouldn't want a better one. In his lifetime, Duke stamped AMERICA across the face of the motion picture industry. Few other men, living or dead, have ever portrayed the fine, decent, and generous American qualities as Duke did. He portrayed on screen the values he lived off screen. Gentle - so much so, it would have surprised his critics. Loyal - once your friend, always your friend. Courageous - if you doubt it, remember his fight against cancer, or the way he faced heart surgery. And decent. Above all, Duke was a decent man. He was also far from perfect. He made his mistakes as I have made mine and you have made yours. All in all, I would say they were unintentional. Mistakes of the heart, I would say. Let me say this about the John Wayne I knew. He was an original. He was the statue of his times. All in all, I think it was the man's integrity that speaks most of him. His principles never varied. Nor did his ideals. Nor did his faith in mankind. Hide

I've always thought [John Wayne] is underrated as an actor. I think The Searchers (1956) is one of t Show more I've always thought [John Wayne] is underrated as an actor. I think The Searchers (1956) is one of the most marvelous performances of all time. Hide

[Stewart testifying before Congress about Hollywood colourizing It's a Wonderful Life (1946)] I trie Show more [Stewart testifying before Congress about Hollywood colourizing It's a Wonderful Life (1946)] I tried to look at the colourized version, but I had to switch it off - it made me feel sick. Hide

[It's a Wonderful Life (1946)] It didn't do well at all. I don't think it was the type of story peop Show more [It's a Wonderful Life (1946)] It didn't do well at all. I don't think it was the type of story people wanted right after the war. They wanted a war-related story or a pure slapstick, Red Skelton type of comedy. Our movie just got lost. Hide

Mr. Hitchcock [Alfred Hitchcock] did not say actors are cattle. He said they should be treated like Show more Mr. Hitchcock [Alfred Hitchcock] did not say actors are cattle. He said they should be treated like cattle. Hide

I have my own rules and adhere to them. The rule is simple but inflexible. A James Stewart picture m Show more I have my own rules and adhere to them. The rule is simple but inflexible. A James Stewart picture must have two vital ingredients: it will be clean and it will involve the triumph of the underdog over the bully. Hide

[Asked in March 1957 interview "What do you do for kicks when you're not working":] I like to fly. A Show more [Asked in March 1957 interview "What do you do for kicks when you're not working":] I like to fly. And I like music. I've got a cabinet full of pop stuff. Also some Elvis Presley and that sort of thing that the kids drive me nuts with. When I had a press conference in Chile a few weeks ago, I happened to remark that I didn't like rock 'n' roll. Well, you'd think I had insulted the whole Chilean republic. I had to backtrack on my statement. Hide

[on John Ford] The set was anything but tranquil on a Ford picture. Ford believed that acting is a c Show more [on John Ford] The set was anything but tranquil on a Ford picture. Ford believed that acting is a competitive thing. That it's good to be tense, good to be suspicious of other actors. His direction would be mostly asides, whispers ... In a Ford film you never exactly sure of what was going to happen next. And this is the way he wanted it. Hide

If I had my career over again? Maybe I'd say to myself, "Speed it up a little". If I had my career over again? Maybe I'd say to myself, "Speed it up a little".

[to Frank Capra when he was offered the role of George Bailey] Frank, if you want to do a movie abou Show more [to Frank Capra when he was offered the role of George Bailey] Frank, if you want to do a movie about me committing suicide, with an angel with no wings named Clarence, I'm your man. Hide

[5/20/58, from a speech at a Boy Scout Testimonial Dinner celebrating his 50th birthday] Through the Show more [5/20/58, from a speech at a Boy Scout Testimonial Dinner celebrating his 50th birthday] Through the years Indiana [his home town of Indiana, PA] has been something of tremendous importance in my life. It's true there is something special about the place where you were raised--your hometown. I have found through the years during the times when I've been here in Indiana that almost every direction I look, and so many faces I see, immediately cause a picture to be formed of an event, a happening in my life that I remember well. I think the main thing that has kept Indiana so close to my heart is the fact that Indiana has been, and still is, the headquarters of Mr. Alex Stewart and his family ... My father has been almost fanatical in his determination to keep our family together--and he has done it. Time and distance haven't seemed to have affected this headquarters in Indiana. I've settled down three thousand miles from Indiana. I've traveled to points in the world three times that distance. At times I've stayed away several years at a stretch, but I somehow have never felt that I was very far from here ... somehow I don't feel that I have ever been away. Hide

[on Margaret Sullavan] She could do maybe a look, or a line or two, but they would hit like flashes Show more [on Margaret Sullavan] She could do maybe a look, or a line or two, but they would hit like flashes or earthquakes. Hide

Sometimes I wonder if I'm doing a Jimmy Stewart imitation myself. Sometimes I wonder if I'm doing a Jimmy Stewart imitation myself.

[on Jean Arthur] Jean was the finest actress I ever worked with. No one had her humor, her timing. [on Jean Arthur] Jean was the finest actress I ever worked with. No one had her humor, her timing.

The big studios were an ideal way to make films - because they were a home base for people. When you Show more The big studios were an ideal way to make films - because they were a home base for people. When you were under contract, you had no chance to relax. Hide

There ought to be a law against any man who doesn't want to marry Myrna Loy. There ought to be a law against any man who doesn't want to marry Myrna Loy.

If a western is a good western, it gives you a sense of that world and some of the qualities those m Show more If a western is a good western, it gives you a sense of that world and some of the qualities those men had - their comradeship, loyalty, and physical courage. The vogue for the new kind of western seems pretty unimportant to me. They try to destroy something that has been vital to people for so long. Hide

[It's a Wonderful Life (1946)] Such a pure movie. It wasn't taken from a novel or a play. It was dev Show more [It's a Wonderful Life (1946)] Such a pure movie. It wasn't taken from a novel or a play. It was developed from one little paragraph. Simple story, no message, no violence, no mob scenes. When the movies have a story like this, they do it better than any medium there is. Hide

[his last words] I'm going to be with Gloria [deceased wife Gloria Stewart] now. [his last words] I'm going to be with Gloria [deceased wife Gloria Stewart] now.

I am James Stewart playing James Stewart. I couldn't mess around with the characterizations. I play Show more I am James Stewart playing James Stewart. I couldn't mess around with the characterizations. I play variations on myself. Hide

You hear so much about the old movie moguls and the impersonal factories where there is no freedom. Show more You hear so much about the old movie moguls and the impersonal factories where there is no freedom. MGM was a wonderful place where decisions were made on my behalf by my superiors. What's wrong with that? Hide

[on Joan Crawford] My first impression of Joan Crawford was of glamor. [on Joan Crawford] My first impression of Joan Crawford was of glamor.

I don't act. I react. I don't act. I react.

James Stewart's FILMOGRAPHY

as Actor (86)

The Carol Burnett Show - Season 9

My Three Sons - Season 3

Rope (1948)

Thats Entertainment

How the West Was Won

Next Time We Love

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

The Shop Around The Corner

The Carol Burnett Show - Season 4

Bend of the River

Rear Window

The Carol Burnett Show - Season 6

The Philadelphia Story

The Carol Burnett Show - Season 1

Hawkins - Season 1

Error 73

Born to Dance

American Masters - Season 37

Winchester 73

Christmas Unwrapped: The History of Christmas

The Glenn Miller Story

The Carol Burnett Show - Season 10

Made for Each Other

Bandolero!

Menace Ii Society

Thunder Bay

James Stewart'S roles

Glenn Miller

Alfred Kralik

L.B. 'Jeff' Jefferies

Wylie

Gilbert Young

Macaulay Connor