biography

Hometown Boy Jimmy Stewart's life abounds with stories of family, faith, friends and films. We're proud to share some highlights of Indiana's favorite son with you here in honor of the grand opening of the James M. Stewart Museum. Jimmy holds a special spot in the hearts of his hometown friends and fans. From his own comments, it appears the fondness is mutual: "Indiana means home to me. It is a town for me to cling to, because my mother and father are here. I was born and reared here. I have a great love and pride for Indiana. I love every bit of it. " (Upon being named a Pennsylvania Ambassador by Governor James Duff, October 1, 1948) "Through the years Indiana has been something of tremendous importance in my life. It's true there is something special about the place where you were raised-your hometown. I have found through the years during the times when I've been here in Indiana that almost every direction I look, and so many faces I see, immediately cause a picture to be formed of an event, a happening in my life that I remember well. " "I think the main thing that has kept Indiana so close to my heart is the fact that Indiana has been, and still is, the headquarters of Mr. Alex Stewart and his family... My father has been almost fanatical in his determination to keep our family together-and he has done it. Time and distance haven't seemed to have affected this headquarters in Indiana." "I've settled down 3,000 miles from Indiana. I've traveled to points in the world three times that distance. At times I've stayed away several years at a stretch, but I somehow have never felt that I was very far from here. ...somehow I don't feel that I have ever been away. " (Boy Scout Testimonial Dinner, May 20, 1958; Jimmy's fiftieth birthday) James M. Stewart was born on May 20, 1908 in his parents' home on Philadelphia Street, Indiana, the only son of Alexander and Elizabeth Stewart. After Jimmy's arrival the family expanded to include daughters Virginia and Mary.

Alex owned and operated the J.M. Stewart Hardware Store, located prominently on Philadelphia Street in a building constructed in 1853. It would become home to an assortment of Jimmy's photos surrounding his Oscar, encased in glass, for best actor in The Philadelphia Story-an honor as prized by father as by son. But we're getting ahead of ourselves. Let's go back over 80 years ago... When Jimmy was five years old, his dad purchased a house atop Vinegar Hill, with a view overlooking downtown Indiana. The Indiana Gazette, in its 1983 tabloid honoring Jimmy's 75th birthday, reports the Stewart children sliding on an Oriental rug down the stairway of their home, presenting magic shows and impromptu plays in the basement, and circling the top of Vinegar Hill in a horse-drawn rig. The Stewarts were pillars of Calvary Presbyterian Church, which Jim's grandfather, James, joined in protest when neighboring Graystone Presbyterian Church resisted his suggestion the congregation include organ music in worship services. Music played an important part in the Stewart home, with Bessie an accomplished pianist and Alex described as a hearty singer in the church choir. Some think that the accordion, which Jimmy picked up under the guidance of a local barber, helped him press open the door to show business.

Jimmy's first theatrical appearance outside of the family basement came with the lab school's commencement play, 'The Frog Prince.' He probably had that in mind when he gave this description: I had this stunt when I was a kid. I couId put one leg-the right one, up back of my head and then hook the left one on the right leg and then raise myself up by my arms and swing both legs behind my head. I remember when I had a small part of a show given at school-and my dad had sent to Pittsburgh and rented a frog suit for me with green tights and a big frog's head, and I hopped on stage and put my legs around my neck and swung on my arms.