I’ve always admired the acting of James ‘Jimmy’ Stewart. He seemed to have a great range of acting, portraying lawyers, bankers, military officers, and cowboys. My favorite Christmas movie is It’s A Wonderful Life. I’ve always been curious about his personal life, so I decided to download the electronic book James Stewart: The Truth Behind The Legend by Michael Munn. I discovered many things about him that I didn’t know.
Stewart grew up in a typical middle-class family in Pennsylvania. One of his hobbies was the accordion, as well as putting on shows for friends and neighbors with his sisters at a very young age. He didn’t set out to become an actor but was pushed into it by a friend. Stewart eventually “got the bug” and started performing in plays and movies. He was known for his exploits with the opposite sex. Surprisingly, he became good friends with Henry Fonda – his political opposite! When he discovered the Mafia had infiltrated Hollywood, he vowed to drive them out. He took up flying, which helped him get into the Air Force during World War II. He was a true leader of his squadron and received several awards for his bravery. After the war, he took up some clandestine work for J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI. This strained several of his relationships in Hollywood.
Stewart had roles in many good and not-so-good films. He was not immune to tragedy, as he lost a family member to the war, and grieved for many of his associates who passed away before him. Nonetheless, he was the consummate professional, continuing to hewn his craft.
This book is full of anecdotes about one of America’s favorite actors. It’s well-written and easy to read. If you want to get some insight into the life of movie stars, this is the book for you!
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