Historical Figure
James Stewart
1908–1997
American actor and military officer (1908–1997)
Talk to James Stewart
Have a conversation with this historical figure through AI
Key Dates
Death
1997 July 2, 1997 →Biography
James Maitland Stewart was an American actor and military aviator. Known for his distinctive drawl and everyman screen persona, Stewart appeared in 80 films from 1935 to 1991. With the strong morality he portrayed both on and off the screen, he epitomized the "American ideal" in the mid-twentieth century. His films are considered some of the greatest films of all time. In 1999, the American Film Institute (AFI) ranked him third on its list of the greatest American male actors; he received numerous honors including the AFI Life Achievement Award in 1980, the Kennedy Center Honor in 1983, as well as the Academy Honorary Award and Presidential Medal of Freedom, both in 1985.
Timeline
The Battle of Langside was one of the more unusual contests in Scottish history, bearing a superficial resemblance to a grand family quarrel, in which a woman fought her brother who was defending the rights of her infant son. In 1567 Mary, Queen of Scots's short period of personal rule ended in recrimination, intrigue and disaster when, after her capture at Carberry Hill, she was forced to abdicate in favour of James VI, her infant son. Mary was imprisoned in Loch Leven Castle, while her Protestant half-brother, James Stewart, Earl of Moray was appointed Regent on behalf of his nephew. In early May 1568 Mary escaped, heading west to the country of the Hamiltons, high among her remaining supporters, and the safety of Dumbarton Castle with the determination to restore her rights as queen. Mary was defeated and went into exile and captivity in England. The battle can be regarded as the start of the Marian civil war.
May 13 →James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray, regent for the infant King James VI of Scotland, is assassinated by firearm, the first recorded instance of such.
January 23 →The assassination of regent James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray throws Scotland into civil war.
January 23 →In San Francisco wird Alfred Hitchcocks Thriller Vertigo mit James Stewart und Kim Novak in den Hauptrollen uraufgeführt. Der Film erhält gemischte Kritiken.
May 9 →On annonce qu'après 20th Century Fox et Columbia Pictures, MGM va être rachetée par Pathé Communications. Au début des années 1930, la compagnie à l'emblème du lion rugissant, reine de la comédie musicale, était le studio le plus puissant d'Hollywood. Les plus grandes stars y ont travaillé : Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, Joan Crawford, Spencer Tracy, James Stewart, Judy Garland et Elizabeth Taylor. Mais, avec seulement 6,3 % du marché, la MGM ne figure plus qu'au 7e rang des grands studios de production.
March 8 →More from the Late 20th Century
Explore what happened on the days that shaped James Stewart's life. Today In History connects historical figures with the events, births, and deaths that defined their era. Browse all historical figures or explore today's events.