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A favorite movie actor comprises of elements you not only admire, but also identify with. The actor although a complete stranger becomes even more familiar to you than your own family or friends. These qualities were best combined in Jimmy Stewart. I know he's officially known as James Stewart, but he always seemed a "Jimmy" and not as formal or pretentious as a "James".

Jimmy Stewart has the ability to speak his lines and move through his scenes as if they came spontaneously to him. He rarely, if ever, sounded like he was merely repeating memorized lines. He always seemed to have just shown up on set and someone said "ACTION!" and he just rolled right along with whatever story he discovered himself inside of.

This ability is seen many times by current superstar Will Smith another Pennsylvania actor, who shares a lot of similarities to Jimmy Stewart. Both are tall, lean actors with musical abilities who also do not have conventional movie star looks. They both do their roles without seemingly much effort. Since this writer is also from Pennsylvania, perhaps I find that similarity to myself pleasing.

Both Jimmy Stewart and Will Smith are also versatile actors with a distinctive style. They can play comical roles or straight roles. They bring just enough of themselves into each character, but still manage to make their characters different from themselves. You kind of wonder how Will Smith would have fared given Jimmy Stewart's roles as soldiers, earnest businessmen and cowboys. He probably would've handled them a lot like Jimmy Stewart did.

I also admire Jimmy Stewart for his horseback riding ability. He wasn't just an actor he also could ride. Compare the horses Jimmy rides to most of the other horses other actors are riding. They often seem uncomfortable, tossing their heads, laying their ears back and seem off balance. Although not on to par with Clint Eastwood's impeccable riding style, Jimmy's horses seem relieved that Jimmy is in the saddle. Both riding and acting were things I tried but could not excel at.

He also insisted on joining the military in World War II when most movie stars could easily dodge the draft bullet. He didn't seem to brag, do a lot of soul searching in interviews or get into a lot of trouble off of the set. He seemed happy to do his work and go home to his wife and family. What an enviable life.

Learn more about this author, Rena Sherwood.
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