George Bailey, played by James "Jimmy" Stewart, is at the center of It's a Wonderful Life, and the actor was 37 years old when principal photography began. Stewart turned 38 on May 20, 1946, during the middle of production.

What did James Stewart pass away from?

On June 25, 1997, a thrombosis formed in his right leg, leading to a pulmonary embolism, and a week later on July 2, 1997, surrounded by his children, James Stewart died at age 89 at his home in Beverly Hills, California. His last words to his family were, "I'm going to be with Gloria now".

Did James Stewart like It's a Wonderful Life?

Capra revealed that it was his favorite among the films he directed and that he screened it for his family every Christmas season. It was one of Stewart's favorite films.

How old was Zuzu in It's a Wonderful Life?

At age 6, Karolyn Grimes played the role of Zuzu Bailey in the holiday film It's a Wonderful Life (1946). Her childhood film career spanned 16 movies, but she is best remembered for playing the daughter of George and Mary Bailey (

Were Jimmy Stewart and John Wayne friends?

John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart seemed to get along just fine. While not particularly close, nor exactly what one would even think of as friends off-screen, they had a friendly and solid working relationship and appeared together in several films, including Wayne's last film, The Shootist.

Jimmy Stewart: It Wasn't A Wonderful Life

Who was considered John Wayne's best friend?

Who was JOHN WAYNE'S lifelong BUDDY AND BEST MAN, Ward Bond? A look into the great character actor and best friend of JOHN WAYNE, WARD BOND. How the friendship they shared was on a special level!

Did Robert Mitchum and John Wayne like each other?

“Despite the fact that John Wayne had fired Robert Mitchum from Blood Alley (1955) ten years earlier, he was happy to work with Mitchum again, and they became good friends.

What does Zuzu stand for in It's a Wonderful Life?

Zuzu is thought to have come from a Nabisco cookie called Zu Zu Ginger Snaps, which were advertised widely a century ago in “Life” magazine and other national publications. “I was named after a cookie!” laughed Grimes. Further evidence of this is an inside-joke in the movie.

Are any of the children still alive from It's a Wonderful Life?

In later years, Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed and Frank Capra all stated that “It's a Wonderful Life” was their favorite film of those they had made. Three of the actors who played the Bailey children are still alive: Carol Coombs (Janie), 88; Karolyn Grimes (Zuzu), 83; and Jimmy Hawkins (Tommy), 82.

What is Zuzu short for in It's a Wonderful Life meaning?

Meaning of Zuzu

Zuzu (the character from It's a Wonderful Life) got her name from a brand of gingersnap cookies. Hence the quote, "Zuzu, my little gingersnap." Zuzu means "sweet" in Yiddish and "lily" in Czech. In China, Zuzu means "little pearl", referring to a perfect child.

Why didn't James Stewart like Donna Reed?

Stewart is said to have blamed his co-star for the movie's failure. Because It's a Wonderful Life wasn't successful at first, it has been said that Stewart blamed co-star Donna Reed, who played his wife in the movie. The drama was Stewart's first movie after serving in the military during World War II.

How did Jimmy Stewart feel about It's a Wonderful Life?

That movie is It's a Wonderful Life, and out of all the 80 films I've made, it's my favorite.

Where did they film It's a Wonderful Life?

It's a Wonderful Life was filmed entirely in California, as were most movies at that time. However, Seneca Falls has long believed itself to be the inspiration for key scenes in the film and Bedford Falls itself.

What were the last words of James Stewart?

"I'm going to be with Gloria now."

Said by Jimmy Stewart to his family just before dying in 1997, referring to his wife, Gloria, who had passed away three years earlier. The actor, 89 when he died, apparently never got over his wife's death.

How many biological children did James Stewart have?

Married to his beloved Gloria for 45 years, the Stewarts had two sons (one killed in Vietnam) and twin daughters.

Who was James Stewart best friend?

Henry Fonda and James Stewart were two of the greatest stars of Hollywood's golden years. A new biography describes their 50-year friendship and dedication to their craft. Each was an actor before he became a star, their biographer writes, and they both remained actors after they became legends.

Who almost played George Bailey?

Cary Grant was originally slated to play George Bailey.

After RKO Pictures sold the movie rights to Frank Capra's company, Capra decided to replace Cary Grant with James Stewart in the lead role.

Is Zuzu from A Wonderful Life still alive?

It's a Wonderful Life was released 75 years ago, so, of course, many of the stars have since passed away. But, the actors who played the two Bailey daughters, Zuzu and Janie, are still around and still celebrating the film. Grimes is 81, and Carol Coombs, who played Janie, is 86.

What happened to Violet in It's a Wonderful Life?

Jeanine Ann Roose, who played young Violet in It's a Wonderful Life, died Friday at age 84 after battling an infection in her abdomen, according to TMZ. She was 84. The 1946 classic was Roose's only film credit. In the movie, she plays a young Violet, who has a crush on young George.

Who is the little girl in the movie It's a Wonderful Life?

Actor and author Karolyn Grimes, best known for her role as young Zuzu Bailey in the classic 1946 Christmas film “It's A Wonderful Life” will be at the show for all five days. As a child actor, Karolyn appeared in several notable films.

What's with the bird in It's a Wonderful Life?

It doesn't actually symbolize anything in the film. It's supposed to be Uncle Billy's pet, but why a raven? Watch any Capra film after, I think, 1936 or so. There's always a raven in there somewhere (sometimes it's credited as a crow - I don't know why).

Who was the female star in It's a Wonderful Life?

Yet another Academy Award winner, Donna Reed (From Here to Eternity) plays George's staunchly optimistic Mary Hatch, who functions as a perfect foil to George over the course of the entire story.

Did Clint Eastwood like John Wayne?

Though they are likely the two biggest names in the Western genre, John Wayne and Clint Eastwood didn't get along which killed any hopes of them starring together on the big screen.

Did Frank Sinatra and Robert Mitchum get along?

One of his close male friends is Ol' Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra. Mitchum tells a story about Sinatra when the two were making Not as a Stranger in 1955. "Frank had gone to a premiere one night, and when I came to work in the morning I found him lying there in full dinner dress.

Did John Wayne and Ed Asner get along?

Arch-conservative John Wayne did not get along with actor Edward Asner, whose politics were quite liberal, during filming, and constantly referred to Asner as "that New York actor".