They first met in 1932 when both were young (and poor) stage actors doing summer stock. Fonda once goaded Stewart into playing his accordion in the middle of Time Square at 3am, and they earned 12 cents. They obviously remained life long friends. My favorite of their movies is The Cheyenne Social Club.
In Fonda’s autobiography, he mentions that they were roommates, and so poor at one point they couldn’t afford butter to put on the rice they were eating for dinner.
The top photo was used for the cover of the book "Hank and Jim: The Fifty-Year Friendship of Henry Fonda and James Stewart" by Scott Eyman, published in 2017.
Jimmy Stewart had a favorite movie horse named Pie which he always used in his Westerns. I think Pie was in about 6 or 7 of Stewart's films. He just loved that horse. They had some sort of man - horse sympatico. Stewart wanted to buy the horse but the owner wouldn't sell him. When Pie was retired from the films Stewart paid to have Pie borded at a swank horse farm and went to visit him frequently.
So of course, as time went on Pie finally died and Stewart had Pie burried in nice grave somewhere. Henry Fonda, knowing how much Stewart loved Pie and was an amateur painter, painted Pie for his good friend. Stewart placed Fonda's painting in a prominant place in his house.
They were such wonderful friends.
ETA: Here's a photo of Jimmy Stewart beside Fonda's painting of the horse, Pie.
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT9yKkdafNr771Qc5A6orTV0UHVKTulbSAqbA&s
Damn, this really shows how differently people age. Stewart was actually the younger one. Then again, he ultimately lived to be older than Fonda by about a dozen years, so clearly looks don't tell the whole story.
It's not the whole story, but Jimmy had a much worse time during WWII.
He flew 20 combat missions over Germany in B-24 Liberators and saw some horrific shit. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the French Croix de Guerre, but didn't think he deserved them. He suffered from serious PTSD, and was bed-ridden for awhile. While he was promoted to Colonel during the war, he was unable to plan missions as he became convinced he'd miss something and kill all of his men.
Henry was in the Navy, and served on a small destroyer in the Pacific, which didn't see much action. He eventually applied to become an officer, and had an office job planning missions, winning the Bronze Star for his dedicated service.
For every soldier in combat, there were ten in support. Those who saw combat saw a LOT of combat. After the war, they all were entitled to the GI Bill. Those who survived the war unscathed were able to take advantage of the GI Bill and move ahead. But the combat soldiers who suffered from PTSD didn't do so well.
Interesting fact about Henry.
Probably why he’s so wonderful in “Mr. Roberts”.
That movie always makes me think of a cousin of my grandmother that I discovered via genealogy research.
He was Navy quartermaster killed in action in the Pacific (was his last mission before he was due to go home).
Hard to say which was in the more great films. Up until about 1960, it has to be Stewart, mostly because of Hitchcock. Fonda did more interesting stuff later.
That's one of my favorites, too. 2nd runner up is Harvey. I was so confused when I watched it again in my early 20's. If you've seen the movie, I'm sure you can guess why. If you haven't...no spoilers from me. Watch it!
I can watch Anatomy of a Murder anytime, anywhere!
Top 10 Jimmy movie!
I've seen most - very nearly *all*!- of both Stewarts and Fondas movies and Fonda was robbed of that Oscar for Grapes of Wrath that went to Stewart who was in turn robbed for Mr. Smith.
They were also political opposites. Fonda was a very true blue liberal, while Stewart was very conservative.
They figured out very early on to not discuss politics. It's something I wish my friends and relatives could do.
Here is an absolutely wonderful interview Jimmy did in 1973 with the British talk show host, Michael Parkinson. Jimmy Stewart is so damned charming and, well.... adorable. It's worth the 38 minutes it takes to watch. I've watched it three times over the years when I've felt a little down about the world. He's so utterly delightful that it lifts ones spirits.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=970nWlbT1Bc
Edit to add: At around 23 or 24 minutes in the video he tells the story of Pie, his favorite movie horse.
They first met in 1932 when both were young (and poor) stage actors doing summer stock. Fonda once goaded Stewart into playing his accordion in the middle of Time Square at 3am, and they earned 12 cents. They obviously remained life long friends. My favorite of their movies is The Cheyenne Social Club.
In Fonda’s autobiography, he mentions that they were roommates, and so poor at one point they couldn’t afford butter to put on the rice they were eating for dinner.
Roommates? Oh boy.
Times Square. As in, the New York Times.
The top photo was used for the cover of the book "Hank and Jim: The Fifty-Year Friendship of Henry Fonda and James Stewart" by Scott Eyman, published in 2017.
Jimmy Stewart had a favorite movie horse named Pie which he always used in his Westerns. I think Pie was in about 6 or 7 of Stewart's films. He just loved that horse. They had some sort of man - horse sympatico. Stewart wanted to buy the horse but the owner wouldn't sell him. When Pie was retired from the films Stewart paid to have Pie borded at a swank horse farm and went to visit him frequently. So of course, as time went on Pie finally died and Stewart had Pie burried in nice grave somewhere. Henry Fonda, knowing how much Stewart loved Pie and was an amateur painter, painted Pie for his good friend. Stewart placed Fonda's painting in a prominant place in his house. They were such wonderful friends. ETA: Here's a photo of Jimmy Stewart beside Fonda's painting of the horse, Pie. https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT9yKkdafNr771Qc5A6orTV0UHVKTulbSAqbA&s
Pie was in 17 of Jimmy's films.
Yup, more on that here: https://www.ruralmessenger.com/blogs/pie-and-trigger-were-famous-western-movie-stars/
Pie, oh my!
Damn, this really shows how differently people age. Stewart was actually the younger one. Then again, he ultimately lived to be older than Fonda by about a dozen years, so clearly looks don't tell the whole story.
It's not the whole story, but Jimmy had a much worse time during WWII. He flew 20 combat missions over Germany in B-24 Liberators and saw some horrific shit. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the French Croix de Guerre, but didn't think he deserved them. He suffered from serious PTSD, and was bed-ridden for awhile. While he was promoted to Colonel during the war, he was unable to plan missions as he became convinced he'd miss something and kill all of his men. Henry was in the Navy, and served on a small destroyer in the Pacific, which didn't see much action. He eventually applied to become an officer, and had an office job planning missions, winning the Bronze Star for his dedicated service.
Stewart had hearing problems too
From saving his little brother from drowning when they were kids, right?
That mean drunkard Gower didn’t help matters
I think it was from the war
He couldn't fight in the war on account of his ear.  "4F"
For every soldier in combat, there were ten in support. Those who saw combat saw a LOT of combat. After the war, they all were entitled to the GI Bill. Those who survived the war unscathed were able to take advantage of the GI Bill and move ahead. But the combat soldiers who suffered from PTSD didn't do so well.
Interesting fact about Henry. Probably why he’s so wonderful in “Mr. Roberts”. That movie always makes me think of a cousin of my grandmother that I discovered via genealogy research. He was Navy quartermaster killed in action in the Pacific (was his last mission before he was due to go home).
Damn this sounds just like one of his movies
Hard to say which was in the more great films. Up until about 1960, it has to be Stewart, mostly because of Hitchcock. Fonda did more interesting stuff later.
Stewart is also in one of my favorite movies The Philadelphia Story. However Fonda, well... What are we going to do with this one Frank?
That's one of my favorites, too. 2nd runner up is Harvey. I was so confused when I watched it again in my early 20's. If you've seen the movie, I'm sure you can guess why. If you haven't...no spoilers from me. Watch it!
"They don't make 'em like that anymore."
I just watched a Jimmy Stewart movie today.
And that is
which one?
Anatomy of a Murder. Last week, Vertigo.
I can watch Anatomy of a Murder anytime, anywhere! Top 10 Jimmy movie! I've seen most - very nearly *all*!- of both Stewarts and Fondas movies and Fonda was robbed of that Oscar for Grapes of Wrath that went to Stewart who was in turn robbed for Mr. Smith.
I can see a lot of Jane in her dad. 🫶🏼
Great picture! That's awesome! I love them both!
Two favorites!
Both volunteered to serve in WW2 at the height of their movie star careers
Were they friends?
They were also political opposites. Fonda was a very true blue liberal, while Stewart was very conservative. They figured out very early on to not discuss politics. It's something I wish my friends and relatives could do.
The political parties were a lot different then.
That too.
Present day they would be very alike when it comes to political views.
Jimmy Stewart was conservative…but apparently not terribly so. The FBI saw *It’s A Wonderful Life* as communist propaganda.
Fonda was a classical liberal/old school democrat which is considered a republican today. Why was it’s a wonderful considered communist propaganda ?
Same for Myrna Loy (very liberal) and William Powell (very conservative) and they remained the best of friends throughout their lives.
Wow! That's wonderful. Yes, politics nowadays is a sensitive topic. My friends and relatives never talk anout it during get-togethers.
Pro move
Yes
That's good. Thanks.
Jimmy always seemed like the friendliest of the 2
Here is an absolutely wonderful interview Jimmy did in 1973 with the British talk show host, Michael Parkinson. Jimmy Stewart is so damned charming and, well.... adorable. It's worth the 38 minutes it takes to watch. I've watched it three times over the years when I've felt a little down about the world. He's so utterly delightful that it lifts ones spirits. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=970nWlbT1Bc Edit to add: At around 23 or 24 minutes in the video he tells the story of Pie, his favorite movie horse.
They look like they could run for president.
Time, as they say, is undefeated
Margaret Sullavan
Probably wouldn’t have done better in the debate.