James Maitland Stewart (May 20, 1908 – July 2, 1997) was an American actor and military aviator. Stewart appeared in 80 films from 1935 to 1991. His films are considered among the greatest of all time. In 1999, the American Film Institute 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.

He starred in Capra's political comedy Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and Ernst Lubitsch's romantic comedy The Shop Around the Corner, Stewart went on to receive the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in the The Philadelphia Story. After returning home from World War II, he went on to star in Capra's It's a Wonderful Life. Stewart went on to star in four films directed by Alfred Hitchcock, Rope, Rear Window, The Man Who Knew Too Much, and Vertigo.