James Stewart is one of the greatest actors of all time, and his screen roles aren’t only defined by his work in Westerns. Stewart frequently appeared in romantic comedies, holiday favorites, and the thrillers of Alfred Hitchcock, but he delivered some of his most interesting and dynamic performances in classic Westerns.

The same year John Wayne showed a gritty reality to the western in “Stagecoach,” Stewart starred in the much more comedic “Destry Rides Again.” He played a recently promoted deputy sheriff who attempts to bring justice to a small town without wielding a gun. However, after his years of service within World War II, Stewart’s perspective was hardened, and he began taking on darker screen roles. Stewart worked alongside director Anthony Mann on grittier Westerns. 1950’s “Winchester ’73” explored the path of violence that just one weapon could have, and the pair continued to collaborate with “The Naked Spur,” “Bend of the River,” “The Far Country,” and “The Man from Laramie.”

A lifelong friend of Wayne’s, Stewart shared the screen with his fellow icon in John Ford’s 1962 classic “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.” Here, Stewart played an idealistic lawyer attempting to civilize a small town, and Wayne portrayed an old-school rancher who allies with Stewart but also believes that in the West, might makes right. They both appeared in “How the West Was Won,” showing up in different segments of the epic film, and when Wayne gave his last performance in “The Shootist,” Stewart gave a touching cameo performance as his doctor.