The passing of Jimmy Stewart during our celebration of America’s birthday underscored the worth of this gentleman of Hollywood acclaim.
The public is wooed and wowed by rogues and swashbucklers on the screen and off, yet quiet heroes capture our hearts. Playing Mr. Bailey and Mr. Smith, two idealists slammed by life’s realities, struck a chord with resilient optimists that we’re right. It is all worth it. Individuals can make a difference.
A man of the constant virtue, Jimmy Stewart eschewed the Hollywood stereotype. He lived in the same house more than 50 years and remained married to one woman more than 45. He mourned a son lost in Vietnam and the passing of his faithful dog Blue, and his heart ached over the loss of his wife, Gloria.
His highly decorated military service was almost an expected duty in his eyes. And as the son of a small businessman, Jimmy naturally complied with his dad’s request to proudly display his Oscar in the hardware store’s window.
Like good friends, Mr. Stewart’s movies transcend time and trends. The final scene in “It’s A Wonderful Life” reveals a universal truth: “No man is a failure who has friends.” We may have lost a treasure, but we will always remember our friend.
