43+ James Stewart Quotes (Talented, Versatile And Iconic)

James Stewart was an American actor and military officer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors in film history. He starred in many classic films during the 1930s and 1940s such as It's a Wonderful Life, Rear Window, and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Stewart was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1985 for his contributions to the film industry.

Top 10 James Stewart Quotes

1. Fear is an insidious and deadly thing. It can warp judgment, freeze reflexes, breed mistakes. Worse, it's contagious.
2. I wouldn't give you two cents for all your fancy rules if, behind them, they didn't have a little bit of plain, ordinary, everyday kindness and a little looking out for the other fella, too.
3. You have to develop a style that suits you and pursue it, not just develop a bag of tricks.
4. You must be oh-so smart, or oh-so pleasant. For years I was smart. I recommend pleasant...and you may quote me.
5. The great thing about the movies ... is-you're giving people little ... tiny pieces of time ... that they never forget.
6. Learn from the masters, learn from your contemporaries. Always try to update yourself.
7. You know, people seldom go to the trouble of scratching the surface of things to find the inner truth.
8. Animals give me more pleasure through the viewfinder of a camera than they ever did in the crosshairs of a gunsight.
9. Champagne's funny stuff. I'm used to whiskey. Whiskey is a slap on the back, and champagne's a heavy mist before my eyes.
10. To the man who prays habitually (not only when he feels like it-that is one of the snares of religion-but also when he does not feel like it) Christ is sure to make Himself real.

James Stewart Short Quotes

• I lasted one night. They said my playing spoiled people's appetites.
• After age 70, it's patch, patch, patch.
• It’s well done if you can do a part and not have the acting show.
• We all look the same with our helmets on.
• I always told Hitch that it would have been better to put seats around the set and sell tickets.
• Mr. Hitchcock did not say actors are cattle. He said they should be treated like cattle.
• I don't need other people. I don't need help. I can take care of me.
• One time they traded me for seven horses. Seven stunt horses.
• When it came to kissing, Harlow was the best.
• I think one day youll find that you're the hero you've been looking for.

James Stewart Famous Quotes And Sayings

Having friends around for a pleasant evening is one of life's most cherished joys as far as I am concerned. But when those with me are fellow believers, how much greater that joy is, for we know that it's rekindled, one day in eternity. — James Stewart

The true Christian reaction to suffering and sorrow is not the attitude of self-pity, fatalism or resentment; it is the spirit which takes life's difficulties as a God given opportunity, and regards its troubles as a sacred trust, and wears the thorns as a crown. — James Stewart

It is the spectators, the people who are outside, looking at the tragedy, from whose ranks the skeptics come; it is not those who are actually in the arena and who know suffering from the inside. Indeed, the fact is that it is the world's greatest sufferers who have produced the most shining examples of unconquerable faith. — James Stewart

The problem of evil is raised more often by spectators of life than the actual combatants. You will hardly ever find that the great sufferers are the great skeptics. — James Stewart

I have developed a deep respect for animals. I consider them fellow living creatures with certain rights that should not be violated any more than those of humans. — James Stewart

I sort of got into Westerns... It was a sort of desperation move, really. I had several pictures that didn't go very well, and I just realised that I would have to try something else. — James Stewart

Bull markets are great, but they breed complacency. Bear markets can be energizing. Instead of fretting over the decline in your net worth, think opportunistically about all those bargains - and the potential gains when, inevitably, a bull market returns. — James Stewart

I'd like to do Harvey again. I did it two years ago with Helen Hayes in New York. It was a joy. I was so glad to do it again because I never thought I did it right the first time. — James Stewart

My dogs have never been good at things like "sit," "stay," or even "come." I think that we've given the tourists a few laughs, especially when the dogs hit the end of their leashes hard enough to drag Gloria down the street. — James Stewart

If a western is a good western, it gives you a sense of that world and some of the qualities those men had - their comradeship, loyalty, and physical courage. — James Stewart

I was going to be an architect. I graduated with a degree in architecture and I had a scholarship to go back to Princeton and get my Masters in architecture. I'd done theatricals in college, but I'd done them because it was fun. — James Stewart

I always stayed for the first curtain call and people always said, 'Who's that?' But this got me started in acting. — James Stewart

The truth is that it's just really hard for me to get to sleep without a dog in my bedroom. I once had a dog named Beau. He used to sleep in the corner of the bedroom. Some nights, though, he would sneak onto the bed and lie right between Gloria and me. I know that I should have pushed him off the bed, but I didn't. He was up there because he wanted me to pat his head, so that's what I would do. — James Stewart

Never treat your audience as customers, always as partners. — James Stewart

It was amazing that a play that seems dated in this world... A man whose best friend is a six-foot white rabbit... But it caught on, especially with young people - they surprised me most of all. — James Stewart

Frank called me one day and said, 'I have an idea for a movie, why don't you come over and I'll tell you?' So I went over and we sat down and he said, 'This picture starts in heaven'. That shook me. — James Stewart

It's much easier, for example, to play a heroin addict and you're withdrawing - you tear the ceiling off - that's much easier than it is to come in and say, 'Hello.' Or, 'I love you'. When you judge it in that way, the heavy isn't as difficult. — James Stewart

We had an apartment on west side of Central Park. The rent was very reasonable. We found out later that it belonged to a gangster called Legs Diamond and it was a front to his headquarters. It was fine. — James Stewart

The difference between "trained OK" and "trained perfectly" doesn't really matter all that much to me. I once did a film with Lassie. When that dog got excited he jumped all over Rudd Weatherwax [Lassie's trainer]. Now that's the smartest dog in the world. If the world's best-trained dog can jump around to show he's happy then my dogs should be allowed to do the same. — James Stewart

It may sound corny, but what's wrong with wanting to fight for your country. Why are people reluctant to use the word patriotism? — James Stewart

Well, I think one of the main things that you have to think about when acting in the movies is to try not to make the acting show. — James Stewart

Animals give me more pleasure through the viewfinder of a camera than they ever did in the crosshairs of a gunsight. And after I've finished "shooting," my unharmed victims are still around for others to enjoy. I have developed a deep respect for animals. I consider them fellow living creatures with certain rights that should not be violated any more than those of humans. — James Stewart

I have my own rules and adhere to them. The rule is simple but inflexible. A James Stewart picture must have two vital ingredients. It will be clean and it will involve the triumph of the underdog over the bully. — James Stewart

Life Lessons by James Stewart

1. James Stewart's career is a testament to the power of hard work and dedication; he worked consistently throughout his life and was rewarded with numerous awards and accolades.
2. His films also demonstrate the importance of staying true to oneself; he was known for playing characters that were honest and genuine, and this resonated with audiences.
3. Finally, Stewart's work serves as a reminder that talent and perseverance can lead to great success; he was able to build a long and successful career despite the obstacles he faced.