Remembering the Legendary Bond Between Jimmy and Gloria Stewart
There’s something truly magical about the kind of love that withstands the test of time, and for Kelly Stewart Harcourt, the daughter of Hollywood icon Jimmy Stewart and Gloria Stewart (née McLean), that magic was a constant presence in her life. “My parents shared a unique connection,” Kelly recalls fondly in an exclusive interview with Closer. “They had a great sense of humor, deep respect for one another, and a partnership that felt like something out of a movie.” Kelly paints a vivid picture of her mother, describing her as “a beautiful, fun-loving woman who captured my father’s heart in ways no one else ever could.” It’s clear that Jimmy was waiting for the right person, and when Gloria came into his life, everything changed.
The Golden Age Heartthrob: Jimmy Stewart’s Journey to Love
Before he became the devoted family man we all know and love, Jimmy Stewart was a Hollywood heartthrob who romanced some of the most iconic actresses of his time. In the years leading up to his marriage to Gloria in 1949, Jimmy’s romantic life was a whirlwind of glamorous encounters with the likes of Olivia de Havilland, Ginger Rogers, Norma Shearer, and, of course, the enigmatic Marlene Dietrich. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Along the way, Jimmy faced his fair share of heartbreaks and unrequited loves, each experience shaping him into the man who would eventually find true love with Gloria.
The Early Days: Jimmy’s Shy Start in Hollywood
When Jimmy Stewart first arrived in Hollywood in the mid-1930s, he was a fresh-faced Broadway actor eager to make a name for himself. But being a newcomer in Tinseltown wasn’t easy, especially when you’re as reserved as Jimmy was. “Because Jimmy was so shy, people at MGM thought he might be gay,” explains Marc Eliot, author of Jimmy Stewart: A Biography. To prove otherwise, studio boss Louis B. Mayer put Jimmy to the test. “Mayer had Jimmy visit the studio house, where chorus girls and starlets were more than happy to help out,” Eliot reveals. Jimmy passed the test with flying colors, saving his career in the process.
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Not Every Date Was a Match Made in Hollywood
Once Jimmy’s reputation was cleared, the studio began setting him up with some of its brightest stars. However, not all of these pairings clicked. For instance, Jimmy and Ginger Rogers didn’t have much in common beyond their conservative political views. “They just weren’t a good fit,” Eliot says. Meanwhile, Loretta Young was more serious than Jimmy, and while they had chemistry, she wanted more than he was willing to give. “Loretta wanted to settle down, but Jimmy wasn’t ready for that kind of commitment,” Eliot adds.
Then there was Norma Shearer, widow of studio executive Irving Thalberg, who took a shine to Jimmy despite the age gap. She showered him with gifts and attention, but Jimmy didn’t enjoy being treated like a possession. “I tried everything to hint that I wasn’t interested in being her trophy,” Jimmy once admitted.
