Jimmy Stewart - an Icon for the Ages

Growing up I never had any idols to speak of. At age twenty, that changed. Up to that time I didn't have too high a regard for men and mates. Many bad things had happened to me that my brain was conflicted. Late one night, near Christmas, I was exposed to the movie - It's a Wonderful Life starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. Everyone, at one time or another, has seen this movie. Whether they want to or not. To me it will always be the best movie that director, Frank Capra, ever made. It was also the turning point in my life.

I had never really been interested in old movies, but the story actually made me cry. That in itself was a feat. Sitting there all alone in the dark crying over a movie was unusual behavior for me. Not only did I remember the movie for several days afterward, but Jimmy Stewart's performance has stayed with me since that night. I found myself interested in learning more about this man on the screen. Now remember, those were the very early days of cable television and the internet wasn't yet invented. Heck, computers were still really big and expensive who could afford one except the government. So learning more about Mr. Stewart came via his movies in those early days. I would find myself begging out of plans to stay home and watch any movie with Jimmy in it, whether he was the lead or not.

James Maitland Stewart named for both his grandfathers was an everyday man that never let fame, success or money ever go to his head. He was kind, endearing and hardworking whether it be in a movie, writing poetry or working in his garden at home. He stood six foot, three inches tall and for many, many years never weighed more than 150 pounds. It has been said that he was most comfortable with one sweater, a good pair of shoes and his old Volvo despite his wealth.

When it came to real life Jimmy Stewart was the best man, friend and mate he could be, despite the tribulations of Hollywood. Lessons learned from his upbringing in Indiana, Pennsylvania carried him for his entire life. He grew up in a tight-knit, close family with a loving but demanding father. Jimmy came from a long line of men who some might say: stood for good and not evil. With grandfathers who both fought for the Union Army during the Civil War.

Upon attending college at Princeton in 1928, Jimmy nearly flunked out. Though his saving grace was his ability to draw, which he lent drawings to the college literary magazine the Princeton Tiger. It also renewed his hope to become an architect. There was never any acting bug in Jimmy at the time even though he changed his major several times before graduation. In fact, it was quite by accident that Jimmy became an actor. He was originally a recruiter for The Triangle Club, meant to draw others in to become performers in original musicals. By sheer luck and good writing he became a performer and no longer merely a recruiter.

Jimmy Stewart had a knack for making you believe he was the famous bandleader, Glenn Miller; pro baseball player Monty Stratton in The Stratton Story or Charles Lindbergh in The Spirit of St. Louis. He was a convincing cowboy in Winchester 73,Two Rode Together and Naked Spur. He was a great funny man in The Philadelphia Story and You Can't Take It With You. Played the perfect quirky kind of character in Harvey, Vertigo and The Man Who Knew Too Much. No matter what his role was on the big screen, and there were many, Jimmy pulled it off each and every time.

Not only was Jimmy Stewart a movie idol, but to millions of Americans he was also a military hero. Just before America entered WW II, Jimmy was draft #310 to join the Army. He became an officer of the Army Air Corps in March of 1941, completing some twenty missions as a bombardier pilot. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross in May of 1944 among other military decorations for honor and valor. So playing a pilot in 1955's Strategic Air Command was no stretch for Jimmy. He already had plenty of experience in a cockpit.

For a long period of duration, Jimmy remained Hollywood's most eligible bachelor dating notable actresses such as Ginger Rogers and Olivia de Havilland. Jimmy eventually married Gloria Hatrick McLean, his ideal woman, in 1949 when he was 41 years old. Jimmy and Gloria were introduced by Gary Cooper and his wife as blinddate's for a dinner party at the Cooper household.

Jimmy and Gloria raised four children, two sons were hers from a previous marriage and their own twin daughters,conceived together. Healthy, happy and well-adjusted children who grew up to be the same type of adults their parents were. The Stewarts remained happily married for 45 years, until Gloria's death. By today's Hollywood standards that must seem like an eternity, but to Jimmy Stewart it wasn't nearly long enough. He remained a widower until his eventual death in 1997 at the age of 89.

They sure don't make actors like Jimmy Stewart anymore. And the mold was also broken when Jimmy was made a man. His model type and decency died along with him and his best friend for many years, Henry Fonda. I wish to this day even though it has been nearly ten years since his death that I could have met the man himself. Imagine spending a few hours with your idol like friends. It would have been the best present anyone could ever give me. The thought of being near such a wonderful man and learning from his wit and wisdom would make my hair stand up. Or at the very least make me speechless for a short period of time. Another feat in life.