Born in Columbus, OH. After WW I service in the U.S. Navy and travels in Europe, he settled in New York and began writing satirical novels, which were quite popular in the 20s (see A Parody Outline of History (1921) with illustrations by Henry Roth). In 1928 he was introduced to the theater by a college chum, Philip Barry, who wrote the part of socialite Nick Potter in his play Holiday with Stewart in mind. Stewart played the part on Broadway. Fascinated with stage life, he wrote his first play, Rebound (1930), in which he also played one of the leading parts, and followed this with a musical Fine and Dandy (1930). As early as 1925, Stewart had been assigned to adapt one of his own novels for the screen, but the project was shelved and instead he wrote an adaptation of the play Brown of Harvard, which was released in 1926. In 1930, Stewart settled in Hollywood as a screenwriter, following an appearance in a supporting part in the film NOT SO DUMB. He soon gained a reputation for his sophisticated screenplays and sparkling dialogue. He won an Academy Award for the script of THE PHILADELPHIA STORY (1940), which he adapted from the Philip Barry play. Some of Stewart's notable non-nominated writing credits (alone or in collaboration) include SMILIN' THROUGH (dialogue) and RED DUST (add'l dialogue) (both 1932), DINNER AT EIGHT (add'l dialogue), GOING HOLLYWOOD and ANOTHER LANGUAGE (all 1933), THE BARRETTS OF WIMPOLE STREET (1934), RECKLESS (contributing uncredited writer) and NO MORE LADIES (both 1935), THE PRISONER OF ZENDA (1937, add'l dialogue), MARIE ANTOINETTE (1938), LOVE AFFAIR, THE WOMEN (uncredited) and THE NIGHT OF NIGHTS (all 1939), KITTY FOYLE (1940, add'l dialogue), THAT UNCERTAIN FEELING, A WOMAN'S FACE and SMILIN' THROUGH (all 1941), TALES OF MANHATTAN and KEEPER OF THE FLAME (both 1942), FOREVER AND A DAY (1943), WITHOUT LOVE (1945), LIFE WITH FATHER and CASS TIMBERLAINE (both 1947), EDWARD, MY SON (1949), EUROPA '51 (a.k.a. THE GREATEST LOVE, 1951) and SUMMERTIME (uncredited) and ESCAPADE (as Gilbert Holland) (both 1955). After Hitler's rise to power he became involved in the political activities of the Hollywood Anti-Nazi League. This association came back to haunt him during the McCarthy era, when it was claimed the organization had been a cover-up for a Communist cell. Blacklisted, he left Hollywood for good in 1951 and settled in London, where he was forced to remain because the U.S. State Department refused to renew his regular passport, considering him a threat to U.S. security. He wrote his autobiography in London in 1970.  Nominated for Writing (Original Story) 1930-31: LAUGHTER (w. Harry d'Abbadie D'Arrast & Douglas Z. Doty)  Writing (Screenplay) 1940: THE PHILADELPHIA STORY 2 nominations, 1 Award