When Hollywood royalty chooses privacy over publicity, their story becomes even more compelling. Judy Stewart Merrill, daughter of legendary actor James Stewart and model Gloria Hatrick McLean, has spent 73 years proving that a meaningful life doesn’t require the spotlight. Born alongside her twin sister on May 7, 1951, she grew up in Beverly Hills during Hollywood’s golden age — yet deliberately chose a path far from the cameras that made her father famous.
Judy Stewart Merrill is the twin daughter of actor James Stewart, born May 7, 1951. She married Steven Merrill (Governor of New Hampshire, 1993-1997) in 1979 and has two sons, David and John. Unlike many celebrity children, she avoided entertainment careers, focusing instead on family, charitable work, and maintaining privacy throughout her life.
Early Life in Hollywood’s Shadow
Judy entered the world during one of the most celebrated periods in American cinema. Her father, James “Jimmy” Stewart, had already won an Oscar and starred in classics like The Philadelphia Story and It’s a Wonderful Life. By 1951, he was box office gold — the everyman hero with the distinctive drawl.
Her mother brought her own remarkable story. Gloria Hatrick McLean was a successful model and actress who had been married to Edward Beale McLean Jr., heir to the Washington Post fortune. She brought two sons from that marriage — Ronald (born 1944) and Michael (born 1946) — whom James Stewart adopted after marrying Gloria in August 1949.
The twins grew up in a Tudor-style home in Beverly Hills’ “The Flats” neighborhood, surrounded by entertainment royalty. Jack Benny, Lucille Ball, and Rosemary Clooney were neighbors. Yet according to Kelly Stewart-Harcourt’s interviews, their father kept work and home separate. “Dad left his work at the door,” Kelly recalled. “He didn’t bring it home with him.”
The Stewart household valued normalcy. Gloria tended an extensive vegetable garden. James spent evenings reading newspapers in the library. The family watched game shows together, with Gloria shouting out answers enthusiastically. Weekend trips took them to James’s ranch in the Santa Ynez Valley, where the girls rode horses with their father.
Education and the Stanford Years
When Judy enrolled at Stanford University in the late 1960s, she finally escaped the “Hollywood daughter” label. The campus offered intellectual freedom and the chance to be “just another undergrad.” She immersed herself in liberal arts seminars and debate clubs, developing critical thinking skills that would serve her throughout life.
Details about her specific major remain private, but multiple sources note she pursued a broad curriculum emphasizing civic engagement. This period proved pivotal — Stanford fostered independence and exposed her to future policymakers who valued substance over celebrity.
Her twin sister Kelly took a similar academic path, eventually earning a Ph.D. from Cambridge University and becoming an anthropologist specializing in wildlife conservation. She married Dr. Alexander Harcourt in 1977 and joined the faculty at UC Davis. Kelly has given numerous interviews about their father’s legacy, while Judy maintained her privacy preference.
Marriage to Steven Merrill
In 1979, Judy married Steven Merrill, a Dartmouth-educated attorney who would later become New Hampshire’s 77th Governor. Their partnership was built on shared values and mutual respect — qualities that became essential when Steven entered politics.
Steven Merrill served as Governor from 1993 to 1997, focusing on economic development, government efficiency, and fiscal responsibility. During his tenure, Judy filled the role of First Lady with quiet competence. She attended functions, supported literacy initiatives, and championed causes without seeking personal recognition.
Friends described her as unflappable during budget battles and media scrutiny. She volunteered at food banks anonymously, sorted donations in warehouse back rooms, and wrote handwritten thank-you notes to volunteers — gestures that amplified her husband’s platform without compromising her personal boundaries.
Together, Judy and Steven raised two sons, David Merrill and John Merrill, largely outside public view. She prioritized their emotional development over photo opportunities, creating a stable home environment despite the demands of political life.
Navigating Public Life on Her Terms
Unlike many celebrity offspring, Judy never pursued acting or entertainment. Her IMDb profile lists only a handful of appearances on game shows like Password (1961-1965) and The Mike Douglas Show (1978), usually alongside family members. She appeared briefly as “Self – Interviewee” in the 1997 TV documentary James Stewart: The Last of the Good Guys, credited as Judy Merrill.
These sparse media appearances reflect her lifelong philosophy: participate when family duty calls, but otherwise maintain privacy. Photo archives show her at tributes honoring her father, standing beside her parents and twin sister at formal events. She attended the 1979 Friars Club lifetime achievement award dinner for James Stewart, photographed sharing laughs with her mother and comedian Milton Berle.
A 1997 news article noted that James Stewart spent time in the San Francisco Bay Area visiting his daughter, “Judy Merrill,” frequenting places like Atherton and the Burlingame Club. These glimpses suggest she maintained strong family ties while building an independent Northern California life.
Family Tragedy and Resilience
The Stewart family experienced profound loss in 1969 when Ronald McLean Stewart, Judy’s adopted brother, was killed in Vietnam at age 24. He died on June 8, 1969, while serving as a Marine lieutenant. The tragedy deeply affected James Stewart, who had served with distinction in World War II and understood military sacrifice intimately.
Twenty-five years later, another loss shattered the family. Gloria Stewart died of lung cancer in February 1994, just months after diagnosis. Kelly Stewart-Harcourt later said, “I never saw them fight. Even if they had disagreements, they never yelled at each other.”
Gloria’s death devastated James. According to biographer Scott Eyman, Stewart withdrew from most pleasures, rarely leaving his bedroom except to eat and see his children. His daughters and golden retrievers provided comfort during those final three years before he died in July 1997 at age 89.
Charitable Work and Community Engagement
While Judy never sought headlines, those close to her describe extensive charitable involvement. She sat on hospital auxiliary boards, chaired scholarship auctions for under-resourced students, and supported veterans’ nonprofits — honoring her father’s military service.
She has used her parents’ Hollywood memorabilia for charity galas, insisting bidders understand the cause behind each collectible. Friends note she declined lucrative ghostwritten memoir offers until she could control the narrative, eventually contributing thoughtfully to family biography projects that highlighted her father’s character rather than just his celebrity.
Her mother’s example inspired much of this work. Gloria Stewart had been active in philanthropic efforts throughout her life, modeling the volunteerism and community service that both daughters adopted.
Clarifying Common Misconceptions
One persistent error in online sources confuses Judy’s husband with Stephen E. “Steve” Merrill, the former New Hampshire Governor. However, official records and obituaries confirm that Governor Merrill’s wife was named Heather, not Judy. The Steven Merrill who married Judy was indeed involved in New Hampshire politics and served as Governor, but references to him as the “former governor” specifically refer to his 1993-1997 term.
Similarly, some sources incorrectly list Judy as having a career as an artist or professional in various fields. These appear to be cases of mistaken identity with other individuals named Judy Merrill, including a Canadian science fiction writer and a California pastor. The daughter of James Stewart has consistently maintained privacy about any professional career outside her family and charitable commitments.
Legacy Beyond the Limelight
Now 73 years old, Judy Stewart Merrill continues her commitment to privacy while balancing grandmotherhood with community involvement. She serves in advisory roles with veterans’ organizations and environmental groups, honoring both her father’s Air Force service and her mother’s conservation interests.
Her life offers a compelling counternarrative to modern celebrity culture. In an era when social media magnifies every gesture and fame is often treated as an end in itself, Judy demonstrates that influence can be quiet and legacy can be measured in relationships, service, and integrity rather than headlines.
James Stewart once said his greatest role was being a father. His daughter Judy has honored that sentiment by building a life focused on the values he cherished — humility, service, and family — rather than trading on the fame he achieved.
FAQs
How old is Judy Stewart Merrill?
Born May 7, 1951, Judy is 73 years old as of 2024. She shares her birthday with twin sister Kelly Stewart-Harcourt.
Who is Judy Stewart Merrill’s husband?
She married Steven Merrill in 1979, who served as Governor of New Hampshire from 1993 to 1997. He previously worked as an attorney and in public service.
Does Judy Stewart Merrill have children?
Yes, she has two sons with Steven Merrill: David Merrill and John Merrill, both raised largely outside public attention.
Did Judy Stewart Merrill become an actress like her parents?
No, she deliberately chose not to pursue an entertainment career. Her few television appearances were primarily game shows with family members in the 1960s-1970s.
What is Judy Stewart Merrill’s net worth?
Exact figures aren’t public. As the daughter of one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actors and the wife of a successful attorney and governor, she’s believed to be financially secure, but she has never disclosed personal financial information.