Karolyn Grimes Picture
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Karolyn Grimes

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 ... See full bio »

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Known For

It's a Wonderful Life
It's a Wonderful Life The Bailey Child - Zuzu
(1946)
The Bishop's Wife
The Bishop's Wife Debby Brougham
(1947)
It's a Wonderful Life: The Rest of the Story
It's a Wonderful Life: The Rest of the Story Zuzu Bailey
Pardon My Past
Pardon My Past Stephanie Pemberton
(1945)
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Filmography

Hide Hide Show Show Actress (21 credits)
 2020 Canaan Land
Talk Show Guest
 2016 Cassandra's Castle (TV Series)
Sister Bernadice
- Roots of Rebellion (2016) ... Sister Bernadice
- Messenger ... Sister Bernadice
 1953 Fireside Theatre (TV Series)
- His Name Is Jason (1953)
 1952 Hans Christian Andersen
Copenhagen Match Girl (uncredited)
 1951 Honeychile
Effie
 1950 Rio Grande
Margaret Mary
 1949 Lust for Gold
Young Martha (uncredited)
 1948 Albuquerque
Myrtle Walton
 1947 The Bishop's Wife
Debby Brougham
 1947 Unconquered
Little Girl (uncredited)
 1947 Mother Wore Tights
Iris - Age 6 (uncredited)
 1947 The Private Affairs of Bel Ami
Laurine de Marelle
 1947 Philo Vance's Gamble
Pat Roberts
 1947 Sweet and Low (Short)
Tammie
 1946 It's a Wonderful Life
The Bailey Child - Zuzu
 1946 Sister Kenny
Carolyn (uncredited)
 1946 Blue Skies
Mary Elizabeth Adams
 1945 Pardon My Past
Stephanie Pemberton
 1945 That Night with You
Orphan (uncredited)
Show Show Thanks (1 credit)
Show Show Self (13 credits)
Show Show Archive footage (10 credits)
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Personal Details

Other Works:

Book (with Franklin Dohanyos) "Zuzu Bailey's It's a Wonderful Life Cookbook : Recipes and Anecdotes Inspired by America's Favorite Movie"; Birch Lane Press, 1997; See more »

Publicity Listings:

2 Interviews | 3 Articles | 1 Magazine Cover Photo | See more »

Official Sites:

The Zuzu News Web Site

Height:

5' 5¾" (1.67 m)

Spouse:

Michael T Wilkerson  (his death)  (2 children) | See more »

Parents:

Grimes, La Van
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Did You Know?

Trivia:

Karolyn also plays the gabby chatterbox of a little girl in John Ford - John Wayne's Rio Grande (1950), and fittingly gets to ring another bell. See more »

Star Sign:

Cancer
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