James Stewart — Profile, Rankings & Fame Trend

Summary

Updated 2026-06-21

That halting drawl carried an entire American ideal — the decent man in over his head who finds his spine. Stewart made doubt look heroic, and for half a century Hollywood built its moral center around his face.

Biography

About

Born in Indiana, Pennsylvania, Stewart acted at Princeton, then moved to Broadway with Carry Nation in 1932. His first film role came in The Murder Man in 1935, but the breakthrough arrived with Frank Capra's You Can't Take It with You in 1938. He won the Oscar for The Philadelphia Story in 1940, then left for World War II as a private pilot — he flew combat missions, commanded the 703d Bombardment Squadron, and rose to deputy commanding officer of the 2nd Bombardment Wing by 1947. He returned to star in It's a Wonderful Life in 1946, a flop that became a classic after its copyright lapsed in…

Voice

In their own words

Sourced, dated quotes from James Stewart

James Stewart

said4 Dec 1997

I'm going to be with Gloria now.

— His last words, about his wife Gloria, who had died in 1994, as quoted in "Morbid Fascination" by Emily Yoffe in Slate (4 December 1997)

James Stewart

said2 Jul 1997

I've sort of gotten into the habit of looking for the vulnerable guy, the guy who makes mistakes, the guy who can't figure things out all the time but keeps at it.

— On roles he looks for, as quoted in "Hollywood legend Jimmy Stewart dead at 89" at CNN (2 July 1997)

James Stewart

said2 Jul 1997

Hollywood dishes out too much praise for small things I won't let it get me, but too much praise can turn a fellow's head if he doesn't watch his step.

— As quoted in "Hollywood legend Jimmy Stewart dead at 89" at CNN (2 July 1997)

James Stewart

said13 Mar 1987