Karolyn Grimes

Karolyn Grimes

84 · Born: Jul 4, 1940

Personal Details

BornJul 4, 1940 Hollywood, California, USA
Spouse
  • Michael T Wilkerson

    ( Jul 22, 1969 to Dec 31, 1969 )
  • Chris Brunell

    ( Dec 23, 2024 to Dec 23, 2024 )
  • Hal Barnes

Parents
  • La Van Grimes

Biography

Karolyn Grimes, a renowned American actress, was born on July 4, 1940. At the tender age of six, she made her mark on the film industry by playing the iconic role of Zuzu Bailey in the timeless holiday classic, It's a Wonderful Life, released in 1946. Her remarkable childhood career spanned an impressive 16 movies, yet it is her portrayal of the endearing daughter of George and Mary Bailey, played by James Stewart and Donna Reed respectively, that has cemented her legacy in the hearts of audiences worldwide.

The delicate rose petals that Zuzu tenderly holds in the film have become a poignant symbol of the cherished values of family, friendship, and the preciousness of life itself. Moreover, it is Zuzu who delivers the movie's most unforgettable and oft-quoted line, "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings," a phrase that has become synonymous with the film's enduring appeal.

In recent years, Karolyn Grimes has demonstrated her dedication to preserving the spirit of It's a Wonderful Life, proudly serving as the film's most ardent and charismatic ambassador.

Career

{"id":174467,"title":"Honeychile","year":"1951","character":"Effie","permalink":"https:\/\/streamtheatre.com\/us\/movie\/honeychile","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streamtheatre.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_174467.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streamtheatre.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_174467.jpg"},"released":1}
1951
Honeychile
Honeychile as Effie
{"id":12837,"title":"Rio Grande","year":"1950","character":"Margaret Mary","permalink":"https:\/\/streamtheatre.com\/us\/movie\/rio-grande","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streamtheatre.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/2367rh71ir90.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streamtheatre.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/2367rh71ir90.jpg"},"released":1}
1950
Rio Grande
Rio Grande as Margaret Mary
{"id":32712,"title":"Lust for Gold","year":"1949","character":"Young Martha","permalink":"https:\/\/streamtheatre.com\/us\/movie\/lust-for-gold","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streamtheatre.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_32712.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streamtheatre.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_32712.jpg"},"released":1}
1949
Lust for Gold
Lust for Gold as Young Martha
{"id":32173,"title":"Albuquerque","year":"1948","character":"Myrtle Walton","permalink":"https:\/\/streamtheatre.com\/us\/movie\/albuquerque","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streamtheatre.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_32173.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streamtheatre.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_32173.jpg"},"released":1}
1948
Albuquerque
Albuquerque as Myrtle Walton
{"id":69832,"title":"Philo Vance's Gamble","year":"1947","character":"Pat Roberts","permalink":"https:\/\/streamtheatre.com\/us\/movie\/philo-vances-gamble-1947","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streamtheatre.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_69832.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streamtheatre.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_69832.jpg"},"released":1}
1947
{"id":3685,"title":"The Bishop's Wife","year":"1947","character":"Debby Brougham","permalink":"https:\/\/streamtheatre.com\/us\/movie\/the-bishops-wife","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streamtheatre.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7o738t2cl500.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streamtheatre.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7o738t2cl500.jpg"},"released":1}
The Bishop's Wife
The Bishop's Wife as Debby Brougham
{"id":69665,"title":"The Private Affairs of Bel Ami","year":"1947","character":"","permalink":"https:\/\/streamtheatre.com\/us\/movie\/the-private-affairs-of-bel-ami","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streamtheatre.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_69665.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streamtheatre.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_69665.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":69613,"title":"Mother Wore Tights","year":"1947","character":"Iris - Age 6 (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streamtheatre.com\/us\/movie\/mother-wore-tights","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streamtheatre.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_69613.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streamtheatre.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_69613.jpg"},"released":1}
Mother Wore Tights
Mother Wore Tights as Iris - Age 6 (uncredited)
{"id":69928,"title":"Blue Skies","year":"1946","character":"Mary Elizabeth Adams","permalink":"https:\/\/streamtheatre.com\/us\/movie\/blue-skies","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streamtheatre.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_69928.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streamtheatre.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_69928.jpg"},"released":1}
1946
Blue Skies
Blue Skies as Mary Elizabeth Adams
{"id":69939,"title":"Sister Kenny","year":"1946","character":"Carolyn (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streamtheatre.com\/us\/movie\/sister-kenny","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streamtheatre.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_69939.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streamtheatre.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_69939.jpg"},"released":1}
Sister Kenny
Sister Kenny as Carolyn (uncredited)
{"id":356,"title":"It's a Wonderful Life","year":"1946","character":"The Bailey Child - Zuzu","permalink":"https:\/\/streamtheatre.com\/us\/movie\/its-a-wonderful-life","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streamtheatre.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/62017ouq2d00.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streamtheatre.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/62017ouq2d00.jpg"},"released":1}
It's a Wonderful Life
It's a Wonderful Life as The Bailey Child - Zuzu
{"id":70361,"title":"Pardon My Past","year":"1945","character":"Stephanie Pemberton","permalink":"https:\/\/streamtheatre.com\/us\/movie\/pardon-my-past","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streamtheatre.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_70361.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streamtheatre.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_70361.jpg"},"released":1}
1945
Pardon My Past
Pardon My Past as Stephanie Pemberton
{"id":106485,"title":"A Night at the Movies: Merry Christmas!","year":"2011","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streamtheatre.com\/us\/movie\/a-night-at-the-movies-merry-christmas","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streamtheatre.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_106485.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streamtheatre.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_106485.jpg"},"released":1}
2011
{"id":160536,"title":"James Stewart's Wonderful Life","year":"1988","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streamtheatre.com\/us\/movie\/james-stewarts-wonderful-life-1988","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streamtheatre.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_160536.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streamtheatre.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_160536.jpg"},"released":1}
1988