Jimmy Stewart!

Welcome to a SPECIAL EDITION of the Piece of Advice Newsletter!

Good morning, and Merry Christmas Eve! In the past few days we have received such positive reception from our newsletter last week on the Christmas classic film, “It’s a Wonderful Life” so I figured it would be appropriate to take a closer look into its starring actor; Jimmy Stewart! I reached out and was lucky enough to ask the President and Executive Director of  The Jimmy Stewart Museum; Janie McKirgan, a few questions!

Jimmy Stewart remains one of Hollywood’s most enduring icons, admired not just for his roles on screen but for the quiet dignity he carried throughout his life. Born in 1908 in Indiana, Pennsylvania, Stewart grew up in a small-town family that ran a hardware store. He attended Princeton University, where he studied architecture, but his love for acting drew him to the stage and eventually to Hollywood in the 1930s. With his tall frame, drawling voice, and everyman charm, Stewart quickly became a favorite in both romantic comedies and dramas. Unlike many stars of his era, his appeal came from relatability; audiences believed him because he seemed like one of them.

Over his decades-long career, Stewart appeared in more than 80 films, including classics such as “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” (1939), “The Philadelphia Story” (1940), “Rear Window” (1954), and “Vertigo” (1958). His role in Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946) remains his most beloved. Interestingly, the movie wasn’t a major success upon release and even put its studio into financial trouble. But when the copyright lapsed in the 1970s, television stations began airing it repeatedly during the holiday season. Audiences rediscovered the film, and Stewart’s performance as George Bailey; an ordinary man shown the value of his life; resonated deeply. By the 1980s, it had become a Christmas classic, and today it’s impossible to imagine the holiday season without it.

Away from the screen, Stewart’s life was just as remarkable. He served as a decorated pilot in World War II, flying combat missions in Europe and rising to the rank of brigadier general in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. Few major stars balanced Hollywood stardom with such a distinguished military career. Stewart was also known for his personal modesty and love for poetry; he even published a book of his own poems later in life. Fun facts about him include his passion for accordion playing, his close friendship with fellow actor Henry Fonda (the two even once shared an apartment), and his unusual distinction as the first major American movie star to enlist for WWII service after Pearl Harbor.

Stewart passed away in 1997 at the age of 89, leaving behind a legacy that still shapes film and culture. His hometown honors him through the Jimmy Stewart Museum in Indiana, Pennsylvania, which opened in 1995. The museum features exhibits about his films, military service, and personal life, including memorabilia, costumes, and even his childhood bed. Visitors can watch his movies in a small theater and explore interactive exhibits that highlight both his Hollywood career and his time as a war hero. Stewart’s legacy is a rare combination of movie stardom, patriotic service, and genuine humility. Through his films; especially “It’s a Wonderful Life” and the museum that preserves his memory, Jimmy Stewart continues to remind audiences that kindness, decency, and integrity never go out of style.

Bonus Questions with Janie McKirgan:

Giancarlo: What is the most important thing most people don’t know about Jimmy Stewart?

Janie McKirgan: That he was as humble and he seemed and that he was very charitable. He and his wife Gloria financially supported many great causes but never wanted accolades or their name attached. They just donated to causes because they felt it was important to support those charitable efforts.

Giancarlo: What is the most unique or rare item in your collection, and what makes it significant?

Janie McKirgan: We have many unique items that were personally selected by Jimmy Stewart to be on display for the museum from costumes, to scripts to military uniforms & medals. It is hard to pick just one so I will pick a few:

1) His hat that he wore in the movie Harvey. It was one of his favorite roles and he played it on film, Broadway and TV

2) His military medals (2 air medals, the distinguished flying cross and the Croix de Guerre) His was an incredibly good pilot and flew 20 dangerous missions over Germany in WWII. He was dedicated and heroic.

3) a personal letter from Frank Capra to Stewart. One of my favorite pieces and it showed the admiration and friendship between these two incredible men.

Giancarlo: How does the museum decide which pieces go on display versus staying in storage?

Janie McKirgan: We had permanent galleries that cover his childhood/family, his military career, his personal business office, his boyhood bedroom and his Hollywood career. We create new exhibits to go in our rotating gallery that changes 4 times a year. It is always It's a Wonderful Life exhibit during the holidays but new exhibits are created by myself and our staff while other exhibits present themselves to us like our current exhibit about Stewart's P-51 airplane that was in town in May for our 30th anniversary. We've had others about Grace Kelly (when a friend of the museum offered to loan us her costumes) and we've also featured his sister Mary's artwork when her sons loaned us pieces to display. We are always looking in our archives for items that we can create new and exciting exhibits for our visitors.

Giancarlo: What programs or exhibits are you most excited about in the near future?

Janie McKirgan: I am excited to create an exhibit around the new Jimmy Stewart bio pic that they are filming soon and will be out next year in November. I have requested that they save items from the filming so that we can create a wonderful display featuring the filming, props and actors that are a part of this project.

Piece Of Advice:

Giancarlo: What is this best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Janie McKirgan:  I love the advice Jimmy Stewart gave his daughters before they went to college....

"Always remember, be nice to people".

But I also like a quote from Maya Angelou that someone shared with me as advice. "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did but people will never forget how you made them feel."

The Museum: https://jimmy.org/

Thank you for reading! Have an amazing Christmas Eve and we will catch you again on Monday!

-Giancarlo