| Birth: | May 20, 1908 | | Death: | Jul. 2, 1997 | 
Actor, American Icon. James Stewart was born in Indiana, Pennsylvania, where he had an ideal childhood with encouraging and supporting parents. When he won the Best Actor Oscar in 1940 for his role in "The Philadelphia Story," he sent it to his father saying, "It belongs to us both." His dad, who owned a hardware store, kept it on a shelf for 25 years where it could be viewed by the customers. James had great empathy for his hometown and years later they would erect and dedicate a statue to him in the town square with him in attendance. He attended Princeton University and came away with a degree in architecture. He was the first movie star to enter the service in World War II, joining a year before Pearl Harbor, becoming a Colonel. James flew 20 combat missions, earned the Air Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross presented to him by Gen Jimmy Doolittle, The Croix de Guerre presented by France and seven battle stars. He was promoted to brigadier general while serving in the Air Force Reserve. His movie career spanned over forty years during which he portrayed many different characters who were always morally resolute. Some of his Western credits and there were many: "The Far Country, The Man from Laramie, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, How the West Was Won, Cheyenne Autumn, and the Shootist." In a general category: "You Can't Take It With You, Mr Smith Goes to Washington and Harvey" but a few. He made four Hitchcock thrillers: "Rope," "Rear Window," "The Man Who Knew Too Much" and "Vertigo." James Stewart had a radio and TV career and even had time to write poetry published in book form by Crown Publishing. He died at his home of a pulmonary blood clot at the age of eighty nine. Jimmy Stewart's funeral service was held at The Presbyterian Church which was the family church in Beverly Hills. The Stewart family sat in the same pew for forty years. Here he was married and where his wife's funeral was held a few years prior to his own. His legacy and many memorials remain: The James Stewart Museum is located in Indiana, Pennsylvania his home town. He was presented a Life Achievement Award by The American Film Institute. His movie "It's A Wonderful Life" has become a classic and part of the American Christmas tradition with a showing by almost every TV station in the land on Christmas day. He was awarded the Medal of Freedom, "America's highest Civilian Honor." The City of Los Angeles erected the Jimmy Stewart Flagpole which stands atop a rock pedestal with a plaque affixed which is the starting point of the Jimmy Stewart Marathon in Griffith Park and run each year. The flag is raised each morning honoring his patriotic service to the country, his stable family life and a salute to one of Hollywoods most enduring actors. His stepson was killed at the age of twenty four in Vietnam and is interred beside the couple. (bio by: Donald Greyfield (inactive))
Family links:
Parents:
Alexander Maitland Stewart (1871 - 1961)
Elizabeth Ruth Jackson Stewart (1875 - 1953)
Cause of death: Pulmonic blood clot
Search Amazon for James Stewart | | | Burial:
Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)
Glendale
Los Angeles County
California, USA
Plot: Wee Kirk Churchyard, Space 2, Lot 8, near the statue of a man holding an arrow. To the left of the Wee Kirk of the Heather Church on the hill. |
Maintained by: Find A Grave
Record added: Jan 01, 2001
Find A Grave Memorial# 1816 |
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