Favorite Jimmy movie: Harvey (1950)
I'd like people to remember me as someone who was good at his job and seemed to mean what he said.~Jimmy
Favorite Jimmy movie: Harvey (1950)
I'd like people to remember me as someone who was good at his job and seemed to mean what he said.~Jimmy
James Stewart was his name, but everyone who's anyone remembers him as Jimmy. He was born May 20th 1908 in Indiana, Pennsylvania.
Jimmy started making films in 1934, but didn't have his first blockbuster until 1939 with Mr. Smith Goes To Washington in which he earns his first Oscar nomination. Jimmy had the persona of a nice shy guy. He hardly ever played the bad guy. His guy next door charm easily made him popular.
Even long before I started liking classic films I always knew who Jimmy Stewart was. Every Christmas my family and I would watch It's A Wonderful Life. I always knew the names of the legends, but he was one of the few I could put a face with, as a child.
He was one of those actors who didn't seem to be acting. He just seemed like the average Joe, but that's what made him so likable. I have yet to find a person who didn't like this guy. He was another who just stepped in front of the camera and just by being himself, created some of the most memorable movies and characters in film history. From his comedic roles in Harvey and The Philadelphia Story to his dramatic work in his many Hitchcock films such as Rear Window, The Man Who Knew Too Much and Rope he could do no wrong. And you knew at least one of his films.
Surprisingly enough, he only earned one Oscar in his career, a best actor Oscar in 1940 for The Philadelphia Story. When I look at his other films, makes me wonder who they were giving the Oscars to all those years!
Jimmy passed away on July 2nd 1997 in Los Angeles, California from a pulmonary blood clot. He was married to Gloria Stewart from 1949 until his death and surprisingly enough for a Hollywood actor, stayed faithful the entire time. For some reason that doesn't surprise me.
1939 (12th) ACTOR -- Mr. Smith Goes to Washington {"Jefferson Smith"}
1940 (13th) * ACTOR -- The Philadelphia Story {"Mike Connor"}
1946 (19th) ACTOR -- It's a Wonderful Life {"George Bailey"}
1950 (23rd) ACTOR -- Harvey {"Elwood P. Dowd"}
1959 (32nd) ACTOR -- Anatomy of a Murder {"Paul Biegler"}
1984 (57th) * HONORARY AWARD To James Stewart, for his fifty years of memorable performances. For his high ideals both on and off the screen. With the respect and affection of his colleagues.
