Karolyn Grimes, who is well known for her role as Zuzu Bailey in the popular 1946 Christmas classic It’s a Wonderful Life, remains an important person in the history of cinema for the way she interpreted the character of the young girl. However, the fairytale-like version of the world that she helped create while shooting the film could not be farther from the realities of her life.
Karolyn Grimes’ life story is intertwined with deep-rooted sorrows and tragedies that solemnly dealt with her in many ways. Despite all the exceptional calamities she faced, the 84-year-old was confined to hold on to hope and a belief in the greater good.
Karolyn Grimes had a life filled with trouble after bringing ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ to screens
In a chat with The Hollywood Reporter, Grimes had a deep reflection and stated that things began to break apart from a very young age. She lost both of her parents, resulting in her being taken in by her uncle and aunt, who she was sent to live with. The kind of brutal behavior from her aunt forced the actress to marry at the tender age of 18 to a man with whom she welcomed two daughters.
Sadly, the It’s a Wonderful Life star lost her first husband and within no time married again and welcomed two more children with her new husband. As if her woes were not enough, in 1989, her youngest son died of suicide before later losing her husband of 25 years.
Karolyn Grimes says ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ helped her through her traumas
Following the death of her second husband, Grimes was in a dark place without so much as a handhold except for her old project, It’s a Wonderful Life, which helped her back on her feet. In 1993, she got a call from Target, and she traveled the entire country on a promotional tour, during which she reconnected and became friends with many former child celebrities.
The actress shared that during the promotional tours, she was able to look back at life and understand how many people had been impacted by It’s a Wonderful Life. Grimes says that the reflection strengthened her resolve and bolstered her determination not to yield to her tragedies.