Carol Burnett has been one of the most famous stars in Hollywood for decades. Indeed, her career in television and film spans 70 years.
During her decades working in entertainment, Burnett has met quite a few famous stars. In a new interview, Burnett is revealing the “movie star idol” of hers that ended up being “one of the nicest people” that she’s ever met. They say don’t meet your heroes, but this one ended up being exactly the kind of person that Burnett expected him to be!
Burnett’s ‘Movie Star Idol’
Burnett, 92, recently sat down with her Palm Royale co-star Laura Dern, 58, for Interview. During their conversation, Dern said that Burnett has the “kind of power” on a set that makes everyone want to behave their best. According to Dern, Burnett always carries herself with a grace and humility that is nothing short of inspiring.
This reminded Burnett of her own “movie star idol” that she got the chance to meet decades ago.
“One of the nicest people I ever met in my life was my movie star idol, and that was Jimmy Stewart. Everybody loved him,” Burnett recalled. “Of course, if you want to give somebody power, he certainly had it. But there was nobody that I ever met who was that big of a star who was so humble.”
“That’s who he was,” she continued. “God knows he did some wonderful work and made some fantastic movies, but there was nobody that I ever knew that was sweeter, and that’s just who he was.”
Watch the touching moment that Stewart surprised Burnett on The Carol Burnett Show in the video below.
Stewart’s History
Stewart, who died back in 1997 at the age of 89, starred in some of the most beloved movies of all time. These days, he’s arguably best remembered for starring in the classic 1946 family Christmas movie It’s A Wonderful Life. The film still holds up to this day, and families all over the world continue to enjoy watching it over the holidays.
Other famous roles of Stewart’s include starring turns in the Alfred Hitchcock movies Rear Window (1954) and Vertigo (1958). He won an Oscar for his work in the 1940 movie The Philadelphia Story.
In real life, Stewart put his acting career on hold to enlist in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He spent years putting his life on the line for his country, becoming a commanding officer by the end of the war. Afterwards, Stewart resumed his successful acting career.
Stewart was also a devoted family man. He was married to his wife Gloria for nearly 45 years, tying the knot with her in 1949. Stewart stayed with her until her death in early 1994, and they were the parents of four children.
Stewart Stayed Humble
Unlike many in Hollywood, Stewart always stayed humble.
“I’d like people to remember me as someone who was good at his job and seemed to mean what he said,” Stewart once spoke out to say.
Burnett has also long been known for her humility and down-to-earth nature. That’s why it’s not surprising to learn that she got along with Stewart so famously.
In the end, they just don’t make Hollywood stars quite like these two anymore. May James Stewart continue to rest in peace, and God bless you, Carol Burnett!