Hey there, friends! Chances are, you've got a soft spot for the timeless holiday classic It’s a Wonderful Life—you know, the one starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. But have you ever wondered about the real people behind this magical film? Meet Jimmy Hawkins, who played Tommy Bailey, the adorable little boy who tugs at George Bailey's coat, saying, “Excuse me,” after accidentally burping. Jimmy is one of the last remaining original cast members, and he's here to share some incredible insights about the film and its enduring legacy.
“Not at all,” Jimmy chuckles during an exclusive chat with Closer Weekly. “I absolutely adore this movie. There are only three of us left—me, Carol Coomes (Janie), and Karolyn Grimes (Zuzu)—and we feel it’s our duty to keep the message of director Frank Capra alive. The film’s message is as powerful today as it was back in 1946. Every year when it airs on NBC, the ratings skyrocket. Years ago, I spoke with Sheldon Leonard, who played Nick the bartender, and he summed it up perfectly: The movie stays the same, but people change. And let me tell you, folks need this movie's message now more than ever.”
So, what exactly is this powerful message? Jimmy, now 78, explains it with heartfelt enthusiasm. “It’s the idea that every single one of us matters. Each of us has the potential to make a difference in someone else’s life if we choose to do so. Look at George Bailey—he didn’t think he was doing anything extraordinary, but he was simply doing the right thing. And when the chips were down, people came to his rescue, showing him that even though he didn’t realize it, he was incredibly important. Throughout his life, George dreamed of leaving Bedford Falls, but every time he tried, something kept pulling him back. In the end, he discovers that Bedford Falls was where he truly belonged. That’s the magic of the film—it reminds us that our lives touch so many others, and if we weren’t around, there’d be a gaping hole. That’s why people are drawn to this movie year after year—it reassures them that they are important, and they matter.”
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Bringing the Film's Message to the Most Unlikely Audience
This message hit home for Jimmy in a powerful way last year when he took the film to an unexpected audience: inmates at Attica Prison, one of the most notorious correctional facilities in the United States. “I wanted to see if this movie could resonate with hardened criminals,” he explains. “It wasn’t easy getting permission to screen the film there, but eventually, we made it happen.”
“Attica is famous for its tough reputation, and I was curious to see if the film could connect with the prisoners. I had some doubts initially—after all, these are people who’ve made serious mistakes. But the results were nothing short of amazing.”
After watching the film in their cells, the prisoners gathered in the prison chapel for a question-and-answer session. “These guys were incredibly prepared,” Jimmy recalls. “They had notes, questions, and they were genuinely moved. It was an unforgettable experience. They even asked me to sign their programs. Later, the superintendent of all New York state prisons turned to me and said, ‘Jimmy, I’ve never seen anything like this. You’re welcome in any prison in New York. Just let me know where you want to go.’”
