Jimmy Stewart reigned as Hollywood’s quintessential everyman, much like Tom Hanks in contemporary cinema. His remarkable filmography features iconic performances in classics such as It’s a Wonderful Life, The Philadelphia Story, and Vertigo. Viewers were drawn to Stewart’s portrayals of relatable, down-to-earth characters, reflective of a thoughtful and humble nature rather than flamboyance. His memorable filibuster in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington remains etched in the minds of film enthusiasts, showcasing Stewart’s unique ability to captivate audiences.
Beyond acting, Stewart’s commitment extended to service in the U.S. Military, where he demonstrated bravery during World War II as part of the Army, and later with the Air Force Reserves during the Vietnam War. Rising to the rank of Brigadier General, Stewart became the highest-ranking actor in U.S. Military history. Interestingly, his career evoked urban legends, particularly one revolving around his eye. After his role in Fool’s Parade, many were left pondering, “How did Jimmy Stewart lose his eye?” The answer, however, is more nuanced and relates to the character he portrayed just before easing into his retirement from the silver screen.
Jimmy Stewart’s Glass Eye: A Notable Film Detail
The Eye Takes Center Stage in the Narrative
The speculation surrounding Stewart’s eye stems from the 1971 film Fool’s Parade. In this crime drama, Stewart plays Mattie Appleyard, a convict attempting to lead a lawful life as he opens a general store, only to be thwarted by a treacherous guard.
In this role, Appleyard dons a striking glass eye with a persona named “Tighe,”leading many to mistakenly believe that Stewart had lost an eye in reality. It’s important to clarify that the actor only wore a glass eye for this performance.
Stewart’s portrayal in Fool’s Parade represents a departure from his typical roles as a steadfast good guy—here, he embodies a flawed anti-hero burdened by a dark past and uncertain future. Despite his compelling presence, the film received mixed reviews, attaining a modest 57% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. While Stewart infused warmth into his character, critics remarked that the storytelling and execution were lacking.
Interesting to note, Fool’s Parade is also known by the alternative title Dynamite Man from Glory Jail.
Actors Who’ve Donned Fake Eyes: Insights and Experiences
Vin Diesel’s Challenging Experience with Contact Lenses
Stewart’s glass eye was reportedly uncomfortable to wear, limited to approximately 20 minutes of on-screen time per shoot (as reported by Looper). He is not alone in enduring discomfort for the sake of performance.
Vin Diesel faced a similar challenge while portraying Riddick in the Pitch Black films, requiring him to wear specialized contact lenses to achieve his character’s distinctive glowing eyes. These lenses were not only uncomfortable but also necessitated medical intervention, as Diesel recounted to IGN:
The contacts were prototypes, they had never been tested or worn before. So it felt like–imagine going to your father’s 1960 Plymouth, taking the hubcaps off, painting them blue and sticking them in your eyes. They had to fly out an optometrist from three hours away on the first day because they couldn’t get ’em out. And they were like, ‘What the–?’ And at the end of that, I had to go to the hospital. They were like, ‘We should take you to the hospital.’ I was like, ‘Why? What are you–?’ ‘Because there’s a little scratch, we have to make sure everything’s okay, we have to go to the hospital.’ It was a grueling experience having to wear those contacts.
The experiences of both Jimmy Stewart and Vin Diesel highlight the often unglamorous reality of Hollywood—pain and discomfort can accompany the development of memorable characters.