Why James Stewart Will Always Be My Favorite Actor of His Time

I’ve decided to take on a new movie challenge: watch every single film James Stewart ever made. It’s not just about checking boxes on a filmography—it’s about spending time with the work of the man I consider the greatest actor of his era. I’ve loved Stewart for years, but I’ve realized I’ve never seen all of his films. That changes now. And this essay is my way of explaining why this journey matters so much to me.

There’s a certain kind of magic in old Hollywood that modern cinema rarely captures. And for me, no actor embodies that magic better than James Stewart. His screen presence wasn’t built on flawless looks or exaggerated swagger—it was built on sincerity. Stewart had the rare gift of making you feel like you knew him, like you’d met him in real life and could trust him instantly.

Born in 1908 and raised in a small Pennsylvania town, Stewart brought his wholesome charm and quiet confidence to the screen at a time when the world was turbulent. He served in World War II, not just as a morale booster in Hollywood, but as a decorated pilot in the U.S. Army Air Forces. That sense of authenticity—of having lived—was etched into every role he played.

What I love most about Stewart is his ability to be both ordinary and extraordinary in the same breath. In It’s a Wonderful Life, he isn’t playing a superhero or a flawless leading man—he’s George Bailey, a man struggling with doubt, fear, and sacrifice. Yet Stewart’s performance transforms that small-town banker into a figure of courage and hope. When he breaks down in that famous scene at Martini’s bar, you feel it in your bones.

And then there’s his versatility. He could play the awkward, stammering romantic in The Shop Around the Corner, the tough-yet-moral sheriff in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, or the morally conflicted lawyer in Anatomy of a Murder. Stewart never seemed like he was “acting” in the way other stars of the era sometimes did—he simply was the character. His understated style influenced generations of actors after him, from Tom Hanks to Jimmy Stewart’s own contemporaries who admired his craft.

Part of why I connect so strongly with him is that Stewart never seemed untouchable. He wasn’t the mysterious, distant idol. He was the man next door, the friend you could confide in, the voice you wanted to hear in times of trouble. That accessibility, paired with his immense talent, makes his work timeless.

Even now, decades after his last performance, Stewart’s films are a reminder that great acting isn’t about spectacle—it’s about truth. His legacy isn’t just in the characters he played, but in the way he made audiences believe in goodness, decency, and the quiet strength of an honest heart.

That’s why James Stewart will always be my favorite actor of his time. He wasn’t just a star. He was, and still is, a storyteller of the human soul. And by the time I finish watching his entire filmography, I expect to love him even more than I do today.

What about you?

Do you have a favorite James Stewart film or performance? Have you ever tried watching an actor’s entire filmography? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments—especially if you have any must-watch Stewart recommendations for my journey.