Stewart, James (1908-1997), was a lanky American motion-picture actor who spoke with a distinctive drawl. Stewart had appeared in more than 70 motion pictures. He was best known for his roles portraying an honest, middle-class American who courageously faces some crisis.
Stewart won the 1940 Academy Award as best actor for his performance in the comedy The Philadelphia Story. He starred in three popular films directed by Frank Capra–You Can’t Take It With You (1938), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), and It’s a Wonderful Life (1946). His roles have achieved almost mythic stature as portraits of all-American decency. Stewart played in the Westerns Destry Rides Again (1939), Winchester ’73 (1950), and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962). He also starred in four suspense movies directed by Alfred Hitchcock–Rope (1948), Rear Window (1954), The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956), and Vertigo (1958). Stewart’s other films include Harvey (1950), The Glenn Miller Story (1953), and Anatomy of a Murder (1959).
James Maitland Stewart was born in Indiana, Pennsylvania. His first movie was Murder Man (1935).
