Judy Stewart-Merrill, the daughter of James Stewart, is connected to a Hollywood legacy.
Her father, James Stewart, was not only an American actor but also a military pilot who achieved the rank of Major General in the United States Air Force.
Renowned for his unique voice and relatable on-screen presence, Stewart’s acting career encompassed 80 films spanning from 1935 to 1991.
Quick Bio
| Full Name | Judy Stewart-Merrill |
| Famous As | Daughter of James Stewart |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of Birth | May 7, 1951 |
| Place of Birth | United States of America |
| Age | 73 years old as of 2024 |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
| Parents | Father- James StewartMother- Gloria Hatrick McLean |
| Siblings | Kelly Stewart-HarcourtRonald Stewart Michael Stewart |
| Husband | Steven Merrill |
Early Life and Career
Judy Stewart-Merrill was born on May 7, 1951, in the United States of America. Born as Judy
Stewart, she is also known by her alternative name, Judy Merrill.
While details about her personal life are scarce, Judy Stewart is recognized for her appearances on shows like V.I.P.-Schaukel in 1971, Password in 1961, and The Mike Douglas Show in the same year.
Who are Judy Stewart’s Parents
Judy Stewart-Merrill is the daughter of James Stewart, a famous American actor and military pilot, and Gloria Hatrick McLean, an American actress and model.
Judy’s Father- James Stewart
James Stewart was an American actor and military officer, born on May 20, 1908, in Indiana, Pennsylvania, to Elizabeth Ruth and Alexander Maitland Stewart.
He had two younger sisters, Mary and Virginia. Stewart was educated at a local prep school, Mercersburg Academy, and later attended Princeton University, where he earned a degree in architecture in 1932.
However, he never practiced architecture and instead joined the University Players in Falmouth, Massachusetts, where he met fellow actor Henry Fonda.
Stewart made his Broadway debut in Carrie Nation in 1932 and went on to act in various stage productions.
He began his film career in 1935 and went on to star in 80 films, including classics such as “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “The Shawshank Redemption,” and “Vertigo.”
Stewart served as a lieutenant in the Marine Corps during World War II and later rose to the rank of Major General in the United States Air Force Reserve.
He was married to Gloria Hatrick McLean, and they had four children, including Judy Stewart-Merrill. James Stewart died on July 2, 1997, at the age of 89, at his home in Beverly Hills, California.
Judy’s Mother- Gloria Hatrick McLean
Gloria Hatrick McLean was an American actress and model who was born on March 10, 1918, to Edgar B. Hatrick of Larchmont, New York.
Before marrying James Stewart, Gloria was married to Edward Beale McLean Jr. Together, Gloria and Edward had two sons: Michael and Ronald McLean. Gloria died from lung cancer in 1994.
James Stewart and Gloria McLean’s Life Story
Judy Stewart-Merrill’s parents, James Stewart and Gloria Hatrick McLean, first crossed paths at Keenan Wynn’s Christmas party in 1947.
Stewart, who crashed the party and left a less-than-favorable impression, encountered Gloria Hatrick McLean.
A year later, Gary Cooper and his wife Veronica invited them to a dinner party, marking the beginning of their relationship. Gloria and Stewart started dating.
They eventually tied the knot at Brentwood Presbyterian Church on August 9, 1949, in a beautiful ceremony surrounded by friends and family.
The couple purchased a home in Beverly Hills in 1951, where they lived for the rest of their lives. Additionally, they owned the Winecup Gamble Ranch in Nevada from 1953 to 1957.
Stewart and Gloria’s family expanded as Stewart adopted Gloria’s sons, Ronald (1944–1969) and Michael (born 1946). The couple also welcomed twin daughters, Judy and Kelly, on May 7, 1951.
Tragically, Ronald lost his life in Vietnam on June 8, 1969, at the age of 24, while serving as a lieutenant in the Marine Corps.
James Stewart and Gloria remained married until Gloria passed from lung cancer in 1994. After Gloria passed away, he felt very sad and started spending most of his time alone in his room.
He didn’t want to see many people, including his friends and fans. Some of his friends thought he was finding comfort in being alone, while others said he wasn’t sad, just enjoying his privacy.
James Stewart had some health problems, like falling in 1995 and having heart issues in 1997. He got a blood clot in his leg in June 1997, leading to a serious problem in his lungs.
He died on July 2, 1997, from a heart attack caused by a lung problem, surrounded by his children at his home in Beverly Hills.
Many people, including friends and colleagues, attended his memorial service, and even President Bill Clinton said America lost a great actor and patriot.
James Stewart was buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.
Judy Stewart- Merrill’s Professional Career
Judy Stewart-Merrill is known for her work on various projects, including “Password” (1961), “V.I.P.-Schaukel” (1971), and “The Mike Douglas Show” (1971).
However, there is limited information available about her specific career and personal life.
Judy Stewart’s Siblings
Judy Stewart-Merrill had a twin sister named Kelly Stewart-Harcourt and two step-siblings, Ronald Stewart and Michael Stewart.
Judy’s Twin Sister- Kelly Stewart
Kelly Stewart-Harcourt is James Stewart’s daughter and Judy Stewart’s twin sister.
She is a producer and has worked on various projects, including “This Wonderful Life – The Jimmy Stewart Biopic,” “Password” (1961), and “The 100 Greatest Family Films” (2005).
Kelly has been married to Dr. Alexander H. (Sandy) Harcourt since June 28, 1977.
Judy’s Husband- Steven Merrill
Judy Stewart-Merrill married Steven Merrill, an American lawyer and politician, in 1979. The couple has two children, David Merrill and John Merrill.
However, there is no further information available about Steven Merrill’s current profession or political career.
Judy and Steven’s Children
Judy Stewart-Merrill has two children with his husband, David Merrill and John Merrill. Apart from that, no specific details are available about them on the internet.
Judy Stewart’s Net Worth
There is no specific information available about her earnings or net worth. Therefore, it is difficult to estimate her net worth accurately.
Where is Judy Stewart-Merrill Now?
There is no publicly available information about her current whereabouts or personal life. However, we do know that currently, she is 72 years old and living her life out of the public eye.
Are James Stewart’s daughters still alive?
Yes, both of James Stewart’s daughters, Judy Stewart-Merrill and Kelly Stewart-Harcourt, are still alive.
However, they have chosen a very private lifestyle, so much information about their current whereabouts isn’t available.