Bob Anderson, who played the young George Bailey (memorably portrayed as an adult by Jimmy Stewart) in the Christmas classic It’s A Wonderful Life), died of cancer on Friday at his home in Palm Springs.

Not only was he an actor, but after a stint in the Navy during the Korean War he returned to Hollywood and spent approximately the next forty years working in the movie business, eventually rising to roles such as production manager, producer, and assistant director on movies and television shows.

During an interview in the late 1990’s, he recalled shooting the drugstore scenes with H. B. Warner:

Anderson was 12 when director Frank Capra cast him as Jimmy Stewart’s youthful counterpart in the heartwarming tale set in Bedford Falls. As the adult George Bailey contemplates suicide, his life is told in flashback so his guardian angel Clarence can get to know him. Young George rescues his brother from drowning, dreams about being an explorer and saves the town pharmacist, Mr. Gower, from accidentally poisoning a customer.

In 1996, on the 50th anniversary of the movie’s release, Anderson recalled shooting scenes with H.B. Warner, who played Mr. Gower.

“He actually bloodied my ear,” Anderson told Cox for a Times story. “My ear was beat up, and my face was red and I was in tears. . . . I didn’t know what we were building for. H.B. was perfect. He reached the crescendo. At the end when it was all over, he was very lovable. He grabbed me and hugged me, and he meant it.”

I won’t lie, I love It’s A Wonderful Life.  The scene in the drugstore always makes me cry (who am I kidding…the whole movie makes me cry) and Bob made the scene believable without being cheezy or corny.  No, actors should not be defined by one role, but it was this role which cemented him into people’s hearts and which continues to bring joy to so many.

The family asks that donations be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society.