Judy Stewart-Merrill- Facts About James Stewart’s daughter

Judy Stewart-Merrill is the daughter of James Stewart. Judy Stewart-Merrill’s father was an American actor and military pilot, eventually awarded the rank of Major General in the United States Air Force. Known for his distinctive drawl and everyman screen persona, Stewart’s film career spanned 80 films from 1935 to 1991. As an actor, he is known for  The Philadelphia Story, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, It’s a Wonderful Life, Harvey, and Anatomy of a Murder.

Judy Stewart-Merrill: Bio Summary

Who is James Stewart’s daughter, Judy Stewart?

Judy Stewart-Merrill is the daughter of James Stewart and Gloria Hatrick McLean. She was born on May 7, 1951. As of 204, Judy is 73 years old. She is an American and her zodiac sign is Taurus. Judy’s mother, Gloria Hatrick McLean was an American actress and model. Judy Stewart-Merrill is not the only child of her parents, she has a twin sister, Kelly Stewart-Harcourt, and two half-siblings, Ronald Stewart and Michael Stewart.

Judy Stewart-Merrill is married to Steven Merrill

Not much about James Stewart’s daughter’s early life is documented as a result, crucial details about her upbringing are not available.

However, Judy Stewart-Merrill is a married woman and a mother. She is married to her husband Steven Merrill. The couple are parents to two children- David Merrill, and John Merrill. According to IMDB, Judy Stewart-Merrill is known for some appearances she made on some shows including Password (1961), V.I.P.-Schaukel (1971), James Stewart: The Last of the Good Guys, James Stewart: The Last of the Good Guys and The Mike Douglas Show (1961).

How did Judy Stewart’s parents meet and start the relationship that led to their marriage? Stewart did not marry until his forties, which attracted a significant amount of contemporary media attention; gossip columnist Hedda Hopper called him the “Great American Bachelor.” Regardless, he had several romantic relationships before marriage.

Judy Stewart-Merrill’s father, Stewert’s first interaction with his future wife, Gloria Hatrick McLean, was at Keenan Wynn’s Christmas party in 1947. He had crashed the party and become inebriated, leaving a poor impression of himself with Hatrick. A year later, Gary Cooper and his wife Veronica invited Hatrick and Stewart to a dinner party, and the two began dating. A former model, Hatrick was divorced with two children. 

Stewart and Hatrick were married at Brentwood Presbyterian Church on August 9, 1949. The couple got married in a beautiful ceremony in the presence of their friends, family, and loved ones. Judy Stewart-Merrill’s parents remained married until Judy Stewart-Merrill’s mother’s death from lung cancer in 1994.

The couple purchased a home in Beverly Hills in 1951, where they resided for the rest of their lives. They also owned the Winecup Gamble Ranch in Nevada from 1953 to 1957. Stewart adopted Gloria’s two sons, Ronald (1944–1969) and Michael (born 1946), and with Gloria, he had twin daughters, Judy and Kelly, on May 7, 1951. Ronald was killed in action in Vietnam on June 8, 1969, at the age of 24, while serving as a lieutenant in the Marine Corps.

ALSO, READ ABOUT; Simone Alexandra Johnson, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s daughter

Judy Stewart-Merrill’s father, Stewart was guarded about his personal life and, according to biographer Scott Eyman, tended to avoid the emotional connection in interviews he was known for in his films, preferring to keep his thoughts and feelings to himself. He was known as a loner who did not have intimate relationships with many people. Director John Ford said of Stewart, “You don’t get to know Jimmy Stewart, Jimmy Stewart gets to know you.”

Judy Stewart-Merrill’s mother, Gloria died of lung cancer on February 16, 1994. According to biographer Donald Dewey, her death left Stewart depressed and “lost at sea.” Stewart became even more reclusive, spending most of his time in his bedroom, exiting only to eat and visit with his children.

He shut out most people from his life, not only media and fans but also his co-stars and friends. Stewart’s friends Leonard Gershe and Gregory Peck said Stewart was not depressed or unhappy but was finally allowed to rest and be alone.

Judy Stewart-Merrill’s father was hospitalized after falling in December 1995. In December 1996, he was due to have the battery in his pacemaker changed but opted not to. In February 1997, he was hospitalized for an irregular heartbeat. On June 25, a thrombosis formed in his right leg, leading to a pulmonary embolism one week later.

Stewart died of a heart attack caused by the embolism at the age of 89, surrounded by his children at his home in Beverly Hills, on July 2, 1997. President Bill Clinton commented that America had lost a “national treasure … a great actor, a gentleman and a patriot.” Stewart was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. Over 3,000 mourners attended his memorial service, including his friends and co-workers.