Although the film was not a major success upon release, he earned an Oscar nomination and the film has become a Christmas classic, as well as one of his best-known roles. Death. Like and subscribe to FactsVerse for more on the lives of your favorite TV icons. [213], Stewart's collaboration with Hitchcock ended the following year with Vertigo (1958), in which he starred as an acrophobic former policeman who becomes obsessed with a woman (Kim Novak) he is shadowing. "[44] As MGM did not see leading-man material in Stewart, described by biographer Michael D. Rinella as a "lanky young bumpkin with a hesitant manner of speech" during this time, his agent Leland Hayward decided that the best path for him would be through loan-outs to other studios. Stewart took the role because the film promoted wildlife conservation and allowed his family to travel with him to Kenya. McLean passed away on February 16, 1994, at the age of 75, as a result of lung cancer, according to Michael Munn's Jimmy Stewart: The Truth Behind the Legend. Forest Lawn Memorial Park. I wont fight God if he wants to take me., Stewart uttered his last words about his late wife: Im going to go be with Gloria now., Rear Window: Alfred Hitchcock Was a Little Afraid of James Stewart, According to Wendell Corey There Was Steel Under All That Mush. Gloria Stewart, actor James Stewart's wife, who was prominent in animal support groups and other community activities, has died. Another career breakthrough came with Capra's You Can't Take It With You (1938). [103], Stewart next appeared in two comediesCome Live with Me (1941), which paired him with Hedy Lamarr, and Pot o' Gold (1941), featuring Paulette Goddardthat were both box-office failures. Whats your favorite Jimmy Stewart role? [242] The former received moderately positive reviews and won Stewart the Silver Bear for Best Actorat the Berlin International Film Festival; the latter was panned by the critics. Actor (1930 (aft.)) Flippo asked Parton about what the most outrageous thing shed [] More, Robert Urich was known throughout the world as a tough guy. So, it shouldnt really be that big of a surprise that, with numbers like those, celebrities would face the same risk of dying [] More, Jimmy Stewart Embraced Death After His Painful Final Years, The Terribly Tragic Death of Alan Ladd & His Son, Scientists Discovered Evidence That Exposes An Ancient Lie About Woolly Mammoths, Handlers Thought This Owl Was Male For 23 Years Then He Laid An Egg, This Baby Elephant Decided To Spend His Last Days Alongside This Creature, Woman Adpots Tiny, Adorable Puppy. [19] He remained passionate about aviation, with his interest enhanced by Charles Lindbergh's first solo transatlantic flight, but abandoned visions of becoming a pilot when his father steered him towards Princeton. The couple had been married since 1949 and had twin daughters together. [39] During the summer, Stewart made his film debut with an unbilled appearance in the Shemp Howard comedy short Art Trouble (1934), filmed in Brooklyn, and acted in summer stock productions of We Die Exquisitely and All Paris Knows at the Red Barn Theater on Long Island. The Hollywood industry mourned the death of a legend and gave tribute to him by recalling the best of human values as a brave military hero, a loving husband, a good father, and a giant among men. Oak Island is a privately owned island that sits off the coast of Nova Scotia in Canada. It was too much for his body to take. And I'm gonna give you a hint: it's not drag show readings" He was offered the role of Norman Thayer in On Golden Pond (1981), but turned it down because he disliked the film's father-daughter relationship; the role went instead to his friend, Henry Fonda. [436] In 2011, the United States Post Office located at 47 South 7th Street in Indiana, Pennsylvania, was designated the "James M. 'Jimmy' Stewart Post Office Building. Next, Stewart appeared as part of an all-star castincluding Henry Fonda and John Waynein How the West Was Won, a Western epic released in the United States in early 1963. . [347] On June 25, a thrombosis formed in his right leg, leading to a pulmonary embolism one week later. [108] His family had deep military roots: both of his grandfathers had fought in the Civil War,[109] and his father had served during both the SpanishAmerican War and World War I. If the time comes when my life has no more purpose, I wont hold on to it, Stewart said. [206] Despite criticism for the dry, mechanistic storyline, it became the sixth highest-grossing film of 1955. [381] According to Andrew Sarris, Stewart was "the most complete actor-personality in the American cinema. Around this time, he also made a few film appearances. [123] Stewart was promoted to full colonel on March 29, 1945,[124] becoming one of the few Americans to ever rise from private to colonel in only four years. Plot #64360738. [212] James Neilson replaced Mann, and the film opened in 1957 to become a box-office flop. However, he got tired of attending such events. [161] Rope received mixed reviews, and Andrew Sarris and Scott Eyman have later called him miscast in the role of a Nietzsche-loving philosophy professor. [54] The film was a critical and commercial failure,[55] although Frank Nugent of The New York Times stated that "Mr. Stewart [and the rest of the cast] perform as pleasantly as possible. 1 It's a Wonderful Life. The marriage lasted until McLean's death in 1994; Stewart died of a pulmonary embolism three years later. [150] Stewart returned to making radio dramas in 1946; he continued this work between films until the mid-1950s. Like and subscribe to FactsVerse for more on the legacy of this talented actor. Awards and honors are wonderful things but I sure wish theyd given them to me when I was younger, Stewart told Munn. He said, "But I always tried, and if the script wasn't too good, well, then, I just tried a little bit harder. [211] During the pre-production, a rift developed between Mann and writer Borden Chase over the script, which Mann considered weak. Final Years and Death. Jimmy experienced several health problems in his final years. [293], Stewart's first interaction with his future wife, Gloria Hatrick McLean, was at Keenan Wynn's Christmas party in 1947. James Doohan (1920-2005) A Canadian actor, voice actor, author and former soldier in the Canadian Army, best known for his role as Montgomery "Scotty" Scott in the television and film series Star Trek. [232] He began a new director-collaboration with John Ford, making his debut in his films in the Western Two Rode Together (1961), which had thematic echoes of Ford's The Searchers. He appeared in a few TV documentaries after that but officially retired from acting after his wife Gloria died. Hank and Jim: The Fifty-Year Friendship of Henry Fonda and James Stewart by Scott Eyman featured passages concerning Stewart's death. Nearly two months after Jimmy Hayes unexpectedly died at the age of 31 in his Milton, Massachusetts, home, the cause and manner of his death have been revealed. Gene Harrison Gale died at James A. Haley V.A.Hosp., Tampa His death was supposedly between April and now (9/30 . Stewart suffered a broken heart and started to withdraw. [230] According to Quigley's annual poll, Stewart was one of the top money-making stars for ten years, appearing in the top ten in 1950, 19521959, and 1965. "[422] Bingham has described him as having "two coequal personas; the earnest idealist, the nostalgic figure of the homespun boy next door; and the risk-taking actor who probably performed in films for more canonical auteurs than any other American star. After her role on that classic sitcom ended, Jan became more interested in being a mother than being an actress. According to an autopsy report from the Williamson County Medical Examiner that was . [110] After first being rejected for low weight in November, 1940, he enlisted in February, 1941. [159][160] Rope, in which Stewart played the idolized teacher of two young men who commit murder to show their supposed superiority, began his collaboration with Alfred Hitchcock. [126], Stewart returned to the United States in early fall 1945. The film was yet another success. Steamboat Springs. "[366] Unlike many actors who developed their on-screen persona over time, Stewart's on-screen persona was recognizable as early as Art Trouble (1934), his uncredited debut film role, where Stewart was relaxed and comfortable on-screen. James "Jimmy" Stewart was a womanizer and a bachelor for a good part of his life until he met his wife. These films earned him 5 Academy Award nominations for Best Actor in a Leading Role. They had twin daughters, and he adopted her two sons from her previous marriage. James Stewart, whose movie portrayals of decent, idealistic and naive small-town Americans made him a beloved national icon, died yesterday at his home in Beverly Hills, Calif. . Published on October 17, 2021 07:12 PM. Stewart died of a heart attack caused by the embolism at the age of 89,[348] surrounded by his children at his home in Beverly Hills, on July 2, 1997. Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. "[372], According to Roger Ebert, Stewart's pre-World War II characters were usually likable, but in postwar years directors chose to cast Stewart in darker roles, such as Jeffries in Rear Window. [106][107], Stewart became the first major American movie star to enlist in the United States Army to fight in World War II. "The six stringed Warrior is no longer here for us to admire the spell he . A painful blood clot formed in his legs on June 25, 1997. ', "The Capitol's 'Born to Dance,' With Eleanor Powell Tapping to Cole Porter Tunes, Is Tops Other Films", "Early Bette Davis, James Stewart comes to DVD", "James Stewart, the Hesitant Hero, Dies at 89", "How It's a Wonderful Life went from box office failure to Christmas classic", "The Screen in Review; 'The Glenn Miller Story' Stars James Stewart and June Allyson at the Capitol", "Looking through the Rear Window: A Review of the United States Supreme Court Decision in Stewart v. Abend", "Hitchcock's masterpiece Rear Window turns 60", "Screen: 'Night Passage'; James Stewart Stars in Western at Mayfair", "BBC News Vertigo is named 'greatest film of all time', "Vertigo rises: the greatest film of all time? According to Capra, Stewart was one of the best actors ever to hit the screen, understood character archetypes intuitively and required little directing. His friends Leonard Gershe and Gregory Peck said Stewart was not depressed or unhappy, but finally allowed to rest and be alone. He knew that in conversations people do often interrupt one another and it's not always so easy to get a thought out. [355] Additionally, he tended to act with his body, not only with his voice and face; for example, in Harvey, Stewart portrays the main character's age and loneliness by slightly hunching down. ", "Veritgo, Hitchcock's Latest; Melodrama Arrives at the Capitol", "Carol Burnett Receives Jimmy Stewart Award", "13 Are Named Winners of Medal of Freedom", "Remarks at the Presentation Ceremony for the Presidential Medal of Freedom | Ronald Reagan", "President Reagan's Remarks at the Ceremony for the Presidential Medal of Freedom on May 23, 1985", "James Stewart: The Star of It's a Wonderful Life and The Philadelphia Story in Beverly Hills", "U.S. Military Fatal Casualties of the Vietnam War for Home-State-of-Record: California", "Film world paying tribute to Gary Cooper", "Thousands Participate in the 24th Annual Saint John's Jimmy Stewart Relay Marathon", "Jimmy Stewart Relay Marathon Will Be Held This Morning in Griffith Park", "James M. Stewart Good Citizenship Award", "It's a Wonderful Life for a fellow member!! He appeared in the 1957 biopic The Spirit of St. Louis about Charles Lindberg. His wife will be making something special for supper. Charlton Heston said he had the quintessential American face. [275][276], As a friend, mentor, and focus of his early romantic feelings, Margaret Sullavan had a unique influence on Stewart's life. .css-m6thd4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-family:Gilroy,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;font-weight:bold;color:#323232;text-transform:capitalize;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-m6thd4:hover{color:link-hover;}}Chris Rock, Doctors: No Further Hope for Actor Tom Sizemore, Raquel Welchs Mixed Feelings about Her Fur Bikini, Andrea Riseboroughs Oscar Controversy, Explained, 10 Milestones on Viola Davis Road to EGOT Glory. [363] Stewart's screen persona has been compared to those of Gary Cooper and Tom Hanks. [224] However, according to film scholar David Bingham, by the early 1950s, "Stewart's personality was so credible and well-established," that his choice of role no longer affected his popularity. But Wayne died in the UCLA Medical Center in California on a summer afternoon. [86] The Nation stated "[Stewart] takes first place among Hollywood actorsNow he is mature and gives a difficult part, with many nuances, moments of tragic-comic impact. The higher-ups at MGM set Jimmy up with his co-star Margaret Sullavan on the set of the 1940 film The Shop Around the Corner. ', Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads, Name: Stewart, Birth Year: 1908, Birth date: May 20, 1908, Birth State: Pennsylvania, Birth City: Indiana, Birth Country: United States, Best Known For: Jimmy Stewart was a major motion-picture star known for his portrayals of diffident but morally resolute characters in films such as 'Its a Wonderful Life. In 1984, Steward picked up an honorary Academy Award "for his high ideals both on and off the screen." Cagney, who died March 30 at his farm, left his personal belongings - furniture, clothing, cars, jewelry, art - to his wife of 64 years, Frances ''Willie'' Cagney. [330] Stewart was also a Life Member of the Sons of the Revolution in California. In 1946, Stewart returned to the big screen with It's a Wonderful Life directed by Capra. Born and raised in Indiana, Pennsylvania, Stewart started acting while at Princeton University. He appeared in many popular family comedies during the 1960s. Everybody who knew Jimmy is better off." Stewart died Wednesday at his Beverly Hills home from a blood clot in his lung. Only a year later, he opted out of his battery replacement in his pacemaker. [8] When a customer at the store was unable to pay his bill, Stewart's father accepted an old accordion as payment. To his surprise, it was a box office failure, despite his claims that it was one of the best scripts he'd ever read. Stewart was also granted authority to collaborate with the studio on casting and hiring decisions. They first worked together on Rope (1948). Throughout Monroe and Kennedys alleged affair, Lawford supposedly acted as a liaison for the President. [43] His performance was largely ignored by critics, although the New York Herald Tribune, remembering him in Yellow Jack, called him "wasted in a bit that he handles with characteristically engaging skill. [325][326][327], Stewart was a lifelong supporter of scouting, having been a Second Class Scout and earning the Silver Buffalo Award when he was a youth. James V, (born April 10, 1512, Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scot.died Dec. 14, 1542, Falkland, Fife), king of Scotland from 1513 to 1542. Jimmy was turned away at least once. Stewart's final live-action feature film was the critically panned Japanese film The Green Horizon (1980), directed by Susumu Hani. [341] In the last years of his life, he supported the re-election of Jesse Helms to the Senate in 1990, and also donated to the campaign of Bob Dole for the 1996 presidential election. He topped the list in 1955. She was 75. James Stewart was born on May 20, 1908 and died on July 2, 1997. He was deeply affected by the death of his wife Gloria in 1994. "[372] Stewart's asexual persona as a leading man was unusual for the time period for an actor who was not mainly a comedian. And Coop, I want you . He played football and track, sang and played the accordion, and acted in plays. April 2, 2022, 4:11 pm The other film, It's A Wonderful Life (1946), has become a Christmas classic. Hot [193][194] It garnered Stewart a BAFTA nomination,[195] and continued his portrayals of 'American heroes'. [277] She regarded him as just a close friend and co-worker, and they never began a romantic relationship, but Stewart regardless felt unrequited romantic love toward her for many years. [45], Stewart had only a small role in his second MGM film, the hit musical Rose Marie (1936), but it led to his casting in seven other films within one year, from Next Time We Love to After the Thin Man. [82] Regardless, the film received favorable reviews,[82] with Newsweek writing that Stewart and Lombard were "perfectly cast in the leading roles. [349] More than 3,000 mourners attended his memorial service, including June Allyson, Carol Burnett, Bob Hope, Lew Wasserman, Nancy Reagan, Esther Williams, and Robert Stack. [225], Stewart ended the decade with Otto Preminger's realistic courtroom drama Anatomy of a Murder (1959) and the crime film The FBI Story (1959). Stewart received unanimous praise from the critics, but the play proved unpopular with audiences and folded by June. He retired from the service in 1968, at which time he was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal. [130], Stewart was first nominated for promotion to brigadier general in February, 1957; however, his promotion was initially opposed by Senator Margaret Chase Smith. It took a little time for the sound men to get used to him, but he had an enormous impact. [268] In the 1980s, Stewart semi-retired from acting. Smith Goes to Washington. Critics complimented Stewart's performance; Bosley Crowther of The New York Times called Stewart "the best thing in the show," yet the film was again not a box-office success. [119], Stewart was promoted to major following a mission to Ludwigshafen, Germany, on January 7, 1944. [132] During the Vietnam War, he flew as a non-duty observer in a B-52 on an Arc Light bombing mission in February, 1966. Jimmy Stewart. Stewart remained unmarried until his 40s and was dubbed "The Great American Bachelor" by the press. James Stewart net worth: James Stewart was an American actor and military officer who had a net worth of $30 million. She said he waited his whole life for the right woman and eventually found her. Although gossip columnists made claims that they were planning to marry, Dell said this was not true. "[62], For his next film, the romantic drama Seventh Heaven (1937), Stewart was loaned to 20th Century-Fox to play a Parisian sewer worker in a remake of Frank Borzage's silent classic released a decade earlier. [445] The L. Tom Perry Special Collections Library at Brigham Young University houses his personal papers and movie memorabilia including letters, scrapbooks, recordings of early radio programs and two of his accordions. He starred on The Jimmy Stewart Show, a sitcom, which ran from 1971 to 1972. Another year later, Stewart ended up in the hospital for an irregular heartbeat. [252] His only film release for 1971, the comedy-drama Fools' Parade, was more-positively received. [138] Stewart played George Bailey, an upstanding small-town man who becomes increasingly frustrated by his ordinary existence and financial troubles. [139] Stewart decided to not renew his MGM contract and instead signed a deal with MCA. When Stewart found out, he was shattered. Mary Pickford. Dawber has married to NCIS star Mark Harmon for more than three [] More, Jan Smithers is a former television actress that is best known for her portrayal of the character Bailey Quarters on the television series WKRP in Cincinnati. [307] Over their careers, they starred in four films together: On Our Merry Way (1948), How the West Was Won (1962), Firecreek (1968), and The Cheyenne Social Club (1970). But she ended up spilling the beans on one of the most embarrassing chapters of her life instead. [360], Stewart was particularly adept at performing vulnerable scenes with women. "[227] Stewart won his first BAFTA, a Volpi Cup, a New York Film Critics Circle Award and a Producers Guild of America Award, as well as gained his fifth and final Academy Award nomination for his performance. "[437] Additionally, the Indiana CountyJimmy Stewart Airport was named in his honor. RKO initially wanted to replace Stewart, but eventually the project was canceled. James Maitland "Jimmy" Stewart (May 20, 1908 July 2, 1997) was an American actor. He also acted in several Hitchock films such as Vertigo and The Man Who Knew Too Much. Cause of death. Thats why one of Jimmy Stewarts most famous films was called Mr. Stewart learned to play the instrument with the help of a local barber. He was both the first actor to join the service and the highest-ranking actor in American military history. Country star Tom T. Hall's cause of death at age 85 has been revealed to have been the result of suicide. He later stated that he was given a new beginning by Frank Capra, who asked him to star in It's a Wonderful Life (1946), the first postwar film for both of them. "I didn't even think of it as a Christmas story when I first ran across it . He refused to join Henry Fonda in the 1981 film On Golden Pond because he objected to the way the father character treated his daughter. The following year he received the Academy Award for Best Actor, the only competitive Oscar of his career, for his performance in the George Cukor romantic comedy The Philadelphia Story (1940). [278] Though Sullavan was always aware of his feelings, he never directly revealed them to her. She was 75. What's your favorite Jimmy Stewart role? Reactions to the death of Jeff Beck, rock innovator and guitar virtuoso who died Tuesday. [430] Two of his characters Jefferson Smith in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) and George Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life (1946) made AFI's list of the one hundred greatest heroes and villains,[431] and Harvey (1950) and The Philadelphia Story (1940) were included in their list of Greatest American Comedies. Marine 1st Lt. Ronald McClean, the 24-year-old stepson of Jimmy Stewart, had only been in reconnaissance a couple of weeks when he was killed in action while on patrol during the Vietnam War on June 8, 1969. by Jeffrey Grosscup 5/27/2009. Jimmy even took on a few Westerns such as Broken Arrow in 1950, Naked Spur in 1953, The Man From Laramie and The Far Country in 1955 in 1955, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence in 1962, abd The Shootist in 1976. [358] He mentioned that even though he did not always like his performances, he would not get discouraged. One thing that was surprisingly controversial in the days of Old Hollywood was addressing an adult male by their first name. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. [180] Bosley Crowther of The New York Times wrote that "so darling is the acting of James Stewart [] and all the rest that a virtually brand-new experience is still in store for even those who saw the play,"[181] while Variety called him "perfect" in the role. I can't remember ever having an argument with himever! [49] He used an "inside-out" acting technique, preferring to represent the character without accents, makeup, and props. Trivia. In the melodrama Made for Each Other (1939), he shared the screen with Carole Lombard. [72][73] It was a critical and commercial success, and showed Stewart's talent for performing in romantic comedies;[74] The New York Herald called him "one of the most knowing and engaging young actors appearing on the screen at present. On July 2, 1997, per Marc Eliot's Jimmy Stewart: A Biography, the actor suffered a heart attack caused by an embolism, which lodged a blood clot in his lungs, and passed away. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. Stewart felt responsible for the death of his men and especially one bloodbath where he lost 13 planes containing 130 men who he knew well. Close to two months after her sudden death at age 40, the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office Public Information Officer tells . Stewart was heartbroken and became somewhat of a recluse. [345], Stewart was hospitalized after falling in December 1995. All Rights Reserved. Stewart and Robert DeNiro share the title for the most films represented on the AFI list. It was one of the first blatantly anti-Nazi films to be produced in Hollywood, but according to film scholar Ben Urwand, "ultimately made very little impact" as it did not show the persecution experienced by Jews or name that ethnic group. Stewart's warmth, good humor and easy charm have left a lasting impression on American pop culture. He was loaned to Columbia for two Frank Capra films that proved pivotal in his career, one of which was Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), which brought him his first Oscar nomination. [342][343], Stewart's wife Gloria died of lung cancer on February 16, 1994, aged 75. [184] Similar to It's a Wonderful Life, Harvey achieved popularity later, after frequent television showings. [102] He gave the Oscar to his father, who displayed it at his hardware store alongside other family awards and military medals. [41], Soon after A Journey By Night ended, Stewart signed a seven-year contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), orchestrated by talent scout Bill Grady, who had been tracking Stewart's career since seeing him perform in Princeton. She still . Stewart became the recipient of numerous tributes during the 1980s for his substantial career. [413] According to film scholar Dennis Bingham, "his ability to 'play'even symbolizehonesty and 'American ideals' made him an icon into whose mold later male stars tried to pour themselves. [27] The company's directors included Joshua Logan, Bretaigne Windust and Charles Leatherbee,[28] and amongst its other actors were married couple Henry Fonda and Margaret Sullavan, who became Stewart's close friends. Mann decided to leave the film, and never collaborated with Stewart again. He was made brigadier general in the Air Force Reserve in 1959. Cause of Death. But the shows [] More, You might remember her as Mindy in the off-beat yet endearing 70s and 80s sitcom Mork and Mindy. [18] Due to scarlet fever that turned into a kidney infection, he had to take time out from school in 1927, which delayed his graduation until 1928. [285] Dietrich allegedly became pregnant, but it was quickly terminated. He got his first taste of performing during his time as a young man. [77] Irene Thier of The New York Post wrote that his role was "just another proof that this young man is one of the finest actors of the screen's young roster. ', Astrological Sign: Taurus, Death Year: 1997, Death date: July 2, 1997, Death State: California, Death City: Beverly Hills, Death Country: United States, Article Title: Jimmy Stewart Biography, Author: Biography.com Editors, Website Name: The Biography.com website, Url: https://www.biography.com/actors/jimmy-stewart, Publisher: A&E; Television Networks, Last Updated: May 12, 2021, Original Published Date: April 2, 2014. [57] He had only a bit part in The Gorgeous Hussy, but a starring role in the musical Born to Dance with Eleanor Powell. [51] In both, he played the betrayed boyfriend of the leading lady, portrayed by Jean Harlow and Janet Gaynor, respectively. The tall, lanky actor worked a number of films before co-starring with Eleanor Powell in the 1936 popular musical comedy Born to Dance. The Oscar . He was not a gifted student and received average to low grades. The last words that Jimmy Stewart spoke continue to weigh heavily on all those who admire the actor. Hitchcock and Stewart had also formed a corporation, Patron Inc., to produce the film. [4] He was of Scottish and Scotch-Irish ancestry. Jimmy Stewart became a hard-nosed reporter in the 1948 film Call Northside 777. Jimmy learned to fly in 1934. He also made a comeback on Broadway to star in Mary Coyle Chase's Harvey in July, 1947, replacing the original star Frank Fay for the duration of his vacation. [231], Stewart opened the new decade by starring in the war film The Mountain Road (1960). [125] At the beginning of June 1945, Stewart was the presiding officer of the court martial of a pilot and navigator who accidentally bombed Zrich, Switzerland. "[91] Between films, Stewart had begun a radio career, and had become a distinctive voice on the Lux Radio Theater, The Screen Guild Theater and other shows. On May 20, 1995, his 87th birthday, The Jimmy Stewart Museum was established there. He also became a father to her two sons from a previous marriage. It's easy to imagine the actor passing away on some sun-bleached prairie, gun in hand as he faced down a group of bandits. Jimmy Stewart, 89, a motion picture Olympian with an all-American image and a universal appeal whose roles as a movie actor helped define a national culture, died . According to Joseph W. Lewis Jr.s Last and Near-Last Words of the Famous, Infamous and Those In-Between, Stewart spoke his last words about McLean. In 1949, he married former model Gloria Hatrick McLean. . "[183] Stewart later stated that he was dissatisfied with his performance, stating, "I played him a little too dreamily, a little too cute-cute.