May 20, 1908

Indiana, Pennsylvania, USA

James Maitland "Jimmy" Stewart was an iconic, Academy Award-winning American film and stage actor, best known for his homebred screen persona. Over the course of his career, he starred in many films widely considered classics and was nominated for five Oscars, winning one in competition and one life achievement.

Along with fellow screen icon James Cagney, Stewart became so familiar to American audiences that he was most often referred to by them as "Jimmy" Stewart — a billing never found on t... ... (read more...) he credits of any of his films. While technically incorrect, the public's use of the 'nickname' was a testimony to Stewart's popularity.
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Born in Indiana, Pennsylvania, he first pursued a career as an architect before being drawn to the theater in college. His first success came as an actor on Broadway, before making his Hollywood debut in 1935. Stewart's career gained momentum after his well-received Frank Capra films, including his Academy Award nominated role in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Throughout his seven decades in Hollywood, Stewart cultivated a versatile career and recognized screen image in such classics as The Philadelphia Story, Harvey, and Vertigo.

Stewart left his mark on a wide range of film genres, including screwball comedies, westerns, and suspense thrillers. He worked for a number of renowned directors later in his career, most notably Alfred Hitchcock, John Ford, and Anthony Mann. He won many of the industry's highest honors and earned Lifetime Achievement awards from every major film organization. He died in 1997, leaving behind a legacy of classic performance, and is considered one of the finest actors of the "Golden Age of Hollywood." He was named the third Greatest Male Star of All Time by the American Film Institute.