Beulah Bondi

BEULAH BONDI d1981. American character actress who often played eccentric mothers and later grandmothers & wives, although she was known for numerous other roles. She began her acting career as a young child in theatre and after establishing herself as a Broadway stage actress in 1925, she reprised her role in Street Scene for the 1931 film version. She played supporting roles in several films during the 1930s and was twice nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She played the mother of James Stewart in four films ; Of Human Hearts / Vivacious Lady / Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) and It's a Wonderful Life (1946). She never retired and continued acting well into her later years, at the age of 87 winning an Emmy Award for her guest-star role on The Waltons in 1976. She died in California aged 91 on January 11th 1981