She is the grandmother-in-law of Jill Church and Ella Thompson.
She was the only cast member of Titanic (1997) who was alive at the time of the actual disaster.
Shortened her last name from "Stewart" to "Stuart" because she thought its six letters balanced perfectly on a theater's marquee with the six letters in "Gloria".
Stepdaughter of Fred J. Finch.
Turned down Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938) because she felt that the material was not to her dramatic acting abilities; however, Darryl F. Zanuck forced her to do the picture, and explained that she would be seen by millions, due to Shirley Temple's popularity. Stuart agreed in a 1998 interview that Zanuck was correct.
Twelve great-grandchildren are Sarah-Leah Thompson; Jacob Thompson; Samuel Thompson; Deborah Thompson; Tziporah Thompson; Maggie Thompson; Dylan, Weston, Stuart, Jasen, Frannie, and Katie.
Was a founding member of the Screen Actors Guild.
Was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Los Angeles, California.