On his 75th birthday, a chorus of some 3,000 fans and friends sang “Happy Birthday ” to Jimmy Stewart outside the courthouse in Indiana, Pa. The actor and WWII hero never lost his affection for the tiny town where he grew up, and Indiana has never stopped taking pride in its native son. Today, the It’s a Wonderful Life star is immortalized by a museum dedicated to his life, movie career and war experiences. A 9-foot-tall statue of Jimmy stands across the street from where his father’s hardware store used to be and, fittingly, the local airport is named for the actor who distinguished himself with 20 combat missions over enemy lines.
“This is where I sort of made up my mind about certain things,” Jimmy said on what would be his final visit home in 1983. “About hard work being worth it, about community spirit, about the importance of family, about the importance of God and the church.”
Located about 60 miles east of Pittsburgh, the Indiana of Jimmy’s boyhood was a place where everyone knew their neighbors. His father, Alexander, ran J.M. Stewart, a three-story hardware store founded by Jimmy’s grandfather in 1853. “It was the centerpiece of downtown and sold a little bit of everything,” Janie McKirgan, executive director of the Jimmy Stewart Museum, tells Closer. “People came in to buy everything from paint and building supplies to nails and coffee. It was also a place to gather and talk.”
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 21, 2023-Ausgabe von Closer US.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 21, 2023-Ausgabe von Closer US.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Simply Delicious ITALIAN DELIGHTS
Easy, homey and flavorpacked, these recipes from celebrity chef Alex Guarnaschelli feel like a hug from your kitchen
JEFF BRIDGES - MY LIFE IN 10 Pictures
“I’M A product of nepotism, man,” quipped Jeff Leon Bridges, who, along with his older brother Beau, was drawn into acting by their father, Lloyd.
My Story, MY WAY
THE OSCAR-WINNING ACTOR LOOKS BACK AT HIS LIFE AND CAREER IN A NEWLY RELEASED MEMOIR
LISA MARIE PRESLEY'S - BOMBSHELL REVELATIONS
THE SINGER'S POSTHUMOUS MEMOIR INCLUDES SHOCKING DETAILS ABOUT ELVIS PRESLEY AND HER LIFE
SANDRA BULLOCK How She Got Her SMILE BACK
THE OSCAR WINNER MADE HER FIRST PUBLIC APPEARANCE SINCE LOSING HER LONGTIME LOVE
CARRIE PRESTON - Do What You LOVE
The star of CBS'hit mystery series Elsbeth shares her journey
5 EXERCISES FOR BETTER MOBILITY
MOVING MORE FREELY CAN ADD YEARS TO YOUR LIFE
THE MAN Behind the Laughs
THE COMEDIAN HAD AN ENORMOUS ROLE IN THE CREATION AND LONGEVITY OF THE THREE STOOGES
BETTE DAVIS - The Men She Loved and Lost
THE LEGENDARY ACTRESS ADMITTED SHE WAS ALWAYS A FOOL FOR LOVE
ALAN HAMEL - OPENS UP ABOUT LIFE WITHOUT SUZANNE
One year after Suzanne Somers' death from breast cancer, her husband of 46 years, producer Alan Hamel, still misses her touch. \"Suzanne and I hugged constantly,\" says Alan, 88.