James Maitland Stewart ’32

It was front-page news all over the country when Jimmy Stewart died July 2, 1997, of heart failure at his Beverly Hills home. President Clinton described him as a "great actor, a gentleman, and a patriot."

Although he majored in architecture at Princeton, Jimmy began his acting career shortly after graduation. After stints with a summer theater in Massachusetts and on Broadway, he headed to Hollywood in 1935 and made 24 motion pictures in five years. Jimmy enlisted in the Air Corps in 1941, and had an outstanding record, flying 25 missions over enemy territory with the 8th Air Force. He left the service as a colonel, carrying such decorations as the Croix de Guerre and the distinguished Flying Cross.

After WWII he resumed his career, making some 75 movies. Many of his pictures, including Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, It's a Wonderful Life, Harvey, and Rear Window, have been enjoyed the world over. His honors and awards included five nominations for an Oscar as best actor, the American Institute's Achievement Award in 1980, a special Academy Award in 1984, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1985.

In 1949 he married Gloria McLean, who died a few years ago. Surviving are his daughters, Kelly Harcourt and Judy, stepson Michael McLean, and two grandsons. The class mourns with them the loss of a superstar.

The Class of 1932