Portrait of Karolyn Grimes

Karolyn Grimes

Acting

Biography

Karolyn Grimes (born July 4, 1940) is an American actress. At age 6, Karolyn Grimes played the role of Zuzu Bailey in the holiday film It's a Wonderful Life (1946). Her childhood film career spanned 16 movies, but she is best remembered for playing the daughter of George and Mary Bailey (James Stewart and Donna Reed). The petals from her rose symbolize the values of family, friends and life itself in the 1946 classic, and it is Zuzu who speaks the movie's most memorable line, "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings." In recent years, Karolyn has carried on the spirit of It's a Wonderful Life (1946), serving as the film's most active and appealing ambassador.

Born: July 4, 1940

Place of Birth: Hollywood, California, USA

Filmography

2011
A Night at the Movies: Merry Christmas!

as Self - Interviewee / Zuzu Bailey

1987
James Stewart: A Wonderful Life

as Self (archive footage)

1951
Honeychile

as Effie

1950
Rio Grande

as Margaret Mary

1949
Lust for Gold

as Young Martha

1948
Albuquerque

as Myrtle Walton

1947
The Bishop's Wife

as Debby Brougham

1947
Mother Wore Tights

as Iris - Age 6 (uncredited)

1947
Philo Vance's Gamble

as Pat Roberts

1947
Sweet and Low

as Tammie

1946
It's a Wonderful Life

as The Bailey Child - Zuzu

1946
Blue Skies

as Mary Elizabeth Adams

1946
Sister Kenny

as Carolyn (uncredited)

1945
Pardon My Past

as Stephanie Pemberton