Beulah Bondi

Beulah Bondi was an American actress of stage, film and television. She began her acting career as a young child in theater, and after establishing herself as a stage actress, 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, including Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and Its a Wonderful Life . She continued acting well into her later years, winning an Emmy Award for an appearance on The Waltons in 1976.

Bondi was born as Beulah Bondy in Valparaiso, Indiana, the daughter of Eva Suzanna , an author, and Abraham O. Bondy, who worked in real estate. Bondi began her acting career on the stage at age seven, playing Cedric Errol in the play Little Lord Fauntleroy in a production at the Memorial Opera House in Valparaiso, Indiana. She graduated from the Frances Shimer Academy in 1907, and gained her bachelors and masters degrees in oratory at Valparaiso University in 1916 and 1918.

Source: Wikipedia