Q: I never get tired of watching “It’s a Wonderful Life.” I know most of the main cast has died. What about some of the children in the movie? Are any of them still living and what are their stories?
—Thomas Brayton, Sharpsburg
A: Three of the actors who played the four Bailey children in the 1946 film are alive.
Larry Simms, who played Pete, died in 2009. He was a popular child actor from the late 1930s to the early ’50s, when he also played Baby Dumpling in the “Blondie” films. He later became an engineer.
Carol Coombs, who played Janie, retired from acting when she was married at 21 and became a teacher.
Karolyn Grimes, who played Zuzu, retired from acting after her parents died while she was a teen and didn’t see “It’s a Wonderful Life” until 1979, she told the Washington Post.
Jimmy Hawkins, who played Tommy, appeared in many movies and TV shows before becoming a producer. He also has written books about the movie.
Bob Anderson, who played the young George Bailey, died in 2008.
Q: Would you please explain the NFL, or network, rules why CBS doesn’t always locally televise a 1 p.m. game when the Falcons are on Fox?
—Pat Mell, Norcross
A: Other NFL games aren't televised when the Atlanta Falcons have a home game "to support stadium attendance for the home team and drive local interest to the home team," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told Q&A on the News in an email.
Other NFL games are televised when the Falcons play on the road, he wrote.
Andy Johnston with Fast Copy News Service wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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