Even the most talented and charismatic actors rarely have an off-screen life worth knowing, let alone emulating. One notable exception is Hollywood legend Jimmy Stewart.
Those who enjoy Stewart’s harrowing portrayal of George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life don’t think they’re watching a man just returned from combat in World War II. That’s because he didn’t talk about it.He just poured all his untreated PTSD into it. to his performance.
Joining the Army Air Corps nine months before the attack on Pearl Harbor was not a good career choice. Stewart, 33, had just won an Academy Award for “The Philadelphia Story.” The military tried to use his celebrity for public relations purposes, but Stewart insisted on combat missions, eventually flying 20 bombing missions over Germany.
Honorable Stewart remained in the Reserves and reached the rank of brigadier general. In 1966, during two weeks of active duty, he again called up combat and combat. flying bombing mission Competing against Vietnamese VC.
Stewart only won one Oscar in his career, but was nominated for Best Actor five times. His first nomination was in 1939 for Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.
In the film, Stewart’s naive young senator declares, “If there wasn’t a little bit of plain, ordinary everyday kindness and a little bit of care behind it, no matter how fancy the rules were, But I won’t give you my two cents.” Neither do the others. ”
This famous line also expresses part of Stewart’s approach to Hollywood. Witness the emotional yet dignified Stewart’s “everyday kindness” and “compassion for his friends.” speech When he accepted an honorary Oscar from his old friend and co-star Cary Grant in 1985, he said:
Thank you, Carrie. And I would like to thank the Academy Board of Directors for this most grateful and grateful honor. I would also like to thank my fellow actors for their help and friendship over the years. Thank you to the producers, writers, props, grips, makeup, wardrobe, lighting, cinematographers, all of them. Everyone who was with me and helped me navigate between “action” and “cut”. Part of this Oscar, a good part of it, belongs to them. And I’m also…particularly grateful to Frank Capra. Frank Capra and the directors generously and masterfully guided me safely out of my own well-intentioned no-man’s-land into a more meaningful performance. They share a great deal of credit in my heart. And finally, the audience, you guys are amazing. Thank you for being kind to me over the years. You have given me a wonderful life. god bless you. thank you.
