#Middlebury
Q: I make a point to watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” every December. Did Jimmy Stewart win an Oscar for the role or any other roles? He certainly deserved a whole mantle full. – D.J.
A: With his distinctive voice, Jimmy Stewart was absolutely one of the all-time greats. Born in 1908, he went on to act in 80 films up until 1991. He was nominated five times for Best Actor in a Leading Role, including for “It’s a Wonderful Life,” but his only win was for “The Philadelphia Story.”
“It’s a Wonderful Life” was the first film Stewart made after serving as an Air Force pilot during World War II. He was reported to have suffered PTSD, and this certainly made an impact on his emotional performance as George Bailey in the film.
When he returned to acting, Stewart found that Hollywood had moved on without him. He wanted to do a comedy after having endured the trauma of war, but the only role offered was the despondent Bailey in the future Frank Capra classic. Stewart reluctantly agreed, and the rest is history.
Susan Sarandon in “A Bad Moms Christmas” (STX Entertainment photo)
Q: Where has Susan Sarandon been lately? She’s my all-time favorite movie actress. How many Oscars has she won? – S.F.
A: Despite just turning 75 years old, Susan Sarandon has not slowed down. She first shot to fame at age 29 in the cult-movie comedy “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” She’s no stranger to the Oscars, having been nominated five times before winning in 1996 for her performance as a nun opposite Sean Penn’s death row inmate in “Dead Man Walking.”
In recent years she’s played movie star Bette Davis in the Ryan Murphy series “Feud: Bette and Joan,” a movie mogul in Showtime’s “Ray Donovan” and returned to comedy in the film “A Bad Moms Christmas.” Next, she stars in the country-music drama series “Monarch,” which premieres Jan. 30 at 10 p.m. ET on Fox.
Q: I saw a commercial where Will Smith goes on an outdoor adventure around the world. I didn’t catch whether he’s a character in a movie or what, but it looked so interesting. When does it come out? – K.E.
A: Will Smith does have a new movie out, “King Richard,” where he plays the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams in a story about their lives, but the commercial you saw is for a limited reality series with Smith as himself. In “Welcome to Earth,” he goes on adventures around the world with Oscar-winning filmmaker Darren Aronofsky. Guided by experienced explorers, Smith climbs volcanoes and glaciers, journeys 3,000 feet below the sea, and gets up close and personal with wild creatures. It will be available for streaming beginning Dec. 8 on Disney+.
This year also has been one of reflection for the 53-year-old actor, as he recently published his memoir, “Will,” which you can learn more about at WilltheBook.com.
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com, or write me at KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.
© 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.
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