There’s something truly special about the holiday season, and for many, it’s the perfect time to revisit timeless classics like It’s a Wonderful Life. For Kelly Stewart Harcourt, the daughter of the legendary actor Jimmy Stewart, this film holds a deeper meaning. In an exclusive conversation with Closer Weekly, Kelly shares how her father, who played George Bailey in the beloved holiday movie, often expressed that it was his favorite film. “My dad always said It’s a Wonderful Life was the movie that meant the most to him,” Kelly reveals.
Revisiting the Magic of Christmas with Jimmy Stewart
Kelly, now 69, fondly recalls how her father, who passed away in 1997 at the age of 89, made every Christmas unforgettable for their family. The movie’s themes of kindness, community, and hope resonate deeply with her memories of her father. "The story of George Bailey, who learns just how much he’s loved by his town in his darkest hour, reminds me of the way my dad made us feel every single day," she says. These cherished moments have stayed with her and continue to inspire her during the holiday season.
When Santa Claus Was Dad: A Heartwarming Christmas Memory
Kelly remembers one particularly magical Christmas in 1958 when her father donned a Santa Claus suit and surprised her and her sister in their bedroom. “We were absolutely astounded,” she recalls with a laugh. Even though they eventually figured out it was their dad under the costume, Jimmy Stewart never broke character. "I remember slapping him on the back and nudging him, but he just carried on as Santa," she says. Moments like these showcase not only his talent as an actor but also his unwavering commitment to creating joy for his family.
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Jimmy Stewart’s ability to embody the lovable, everyday heroes in films like Rear Window, Vertigo, and Harvey was rooted in his core values of honor, family, faith, and doing the right thing. This wasn’t just acting—it was who he was as a person. And while he was already a Hollywood star before World War II, his experiences during the war transformed him into a more profound and serious individual, both in life and on screen.
The War That Changed Him: Jimmy Stewart’s Journey Through WWII
Robert Matzen, author of Mission: Jimmy Stewart and the Fight for Europe, explains how Jimmy’s wartime experiences profoundly impacted his acting career. “He had seen some incredibly dark things during the war and carried that rage within him,” Matzen says. “When he came back, he sought out more challenging roles, and It’s a Wonderful Life was one of them.” In the film, George Bailey reaches a breaking point, and the scene where he destroys the models in his living room in a fit of anger wouldn’t have been possible for Jimmy before the war, according to Matzen.
In the early 1940s, Jimmy was known as "The Great American Bachelor," charming Hollywood with his good looks and charm. He dated some of the biggest stars of the era, including Mae West, Ginger Rogers, and Olivia de Havilland, often double-dating with his close friend, actor Henry Fonda. "They were two tall, handsome guys having the time of their lives," says Jimmy Stewart: A Biography author Marc Eliot. Off-screen, Jimmy was just as likable as he was on-screen. "You can’t fake likability, but Jimmy had it in spades," Eliot adds.
From Hollywood Star to War Hero
In 1939, Jimmy Stewart cemented his place among Hollywood’s elite by starring in Frank Capra’s You Can’t Take It With You and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. By 1941, he won the Best Actor Oscar for The Philadelphia Story, beating out Laurence Olivier. Despite his success, Jimmy’s sense of duty was stronger than his career aspirations. Both of his grandfathers fought in the Civil War, and his father served in WWI. When WWII broke out, Jimmy enlisted with the Army Air Corps and began flying dangerous bomb raids over enemy territory.
One of his most harrowing missions involved an anti-aircraft shell detonating under the flight deck of his plane, blowing a two-foot hole between his legs. "He was looking straight down at Germany and had to fly that plane back to base with only three engines," Matzen recounts. These experiences changed Jimmy Stewart forever, shaping the man and the actor he became.
