Beulah Bondi Biography

Fast Facts

• Studied at the Frances Shimer Academy and Valparaiso University
• Began her career on stage with a theatrical company that toured the Midwest
• Her first appearance on stage came at the age of 7 when she was cast in the lead role of "Little Lord Fauntleroy․"
• Quote: "I won't say this about the theater, but it's true of my films: I never met a star who behaved like a star, in terms of making me feel as if I was less important than he or she was․"
• Quote: "What distinguishes the real actor from the pseudo is the passionate desire to know what is going on in the hearts and minds of people․"
• Best known for playing Mrs․ Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life" and Ma Smith in "Mr․ Smith Goes to Washington․"
• Worked with Jimmy Stewart seven times during her career, the last of which was on "The Jimmy Stewart Show" after her agent called her while she was on vacation to tell her that "he wants no one for his mother but you․"