EDITORIAL : SO LONG, JIMMY.

IN the make-believe world of Hollywood, where a canyon separates on-screen images from real-life truth, Jimmy Stewart was a rare, authentic gem.

The lanky, drawling actor, who died Wednesday at age 89 at his Beverly Hills home, actually possessed many sterling traits to which everyone else mostly just pays lip service.

Stewart embodied such virtues as modesty, patience, professionalism and patriotism. He didn't merely make believe; he had them on the silver screen.

During World War II, Stewart volunteered to go into combat for his country, not stay safely at home to make films in support of the war effort.

As a bomber pilot in Europe, he flew dozens of dangerous missions over enemy territory. Earning the enduring respect of his comrades, he continued leading those risky flights without seeking an easy out or special favors, even though he and his crew knew perfectly well that any day they might become the next grim statistics in a growing toll of lives lost in that noble fight against tyranny.

As a working actor, he was well-known for his patience and considerate attitude toward others. ``He was,'' said fellow actor Jack Lemmon, ``one of the sweetest and most generous men that I have ever known.''

Stewart was a first-rate professional, too. He won the Best Actor Academy Award for the 1940 comedy ``The Philadelphia Story'' and was honored with Oscar nominations for his superb work in four other films: the classic ``Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,'' ``It's a Wonderful Life,'' ``Harvey'' and ``Anatomy of a Murder.''

Never one to be ostentatious or self-congratulatory, Stewart modestly attributed much of his success to ``good fortune - I've been in the right place at the right time.''

Perhaps that was one element of it, but no one should forget or underestimate the degree to which audiences responded to the memorable characters Stewart portrayed so movingly.

There was the idealistic Mr. Smith who went to Washington and didn't shirk from doing what he believed was right. There was the small town banker George Bailey in ``It's a Wonderful Life,'' who learned that a life of honest helpfulness to others is well worth living.

That's how we feel about Jimmy Stewart, the man, whose life provided a vivid illustration of timeless virtues that can make an enormous difference to everyone we encounter in this often-cruel world.

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Photo: no caption (Jimmy Stewart)