Clarence Odbody (born May 1653) is a character in the 1946 film It's a Wonderful Life and the follow-up film Clarence.
Role in the film[]
Clarence is introduced as an Angel Second Class who, after 200 years, has yet to earn his wings. On Christmas Eve of 1945, he is assigned to save the life of George Bailey, who has fallen deep into despair and is contemplating suicide. In preparation, Clarence (along with the audience) is shown several scenes from George's life, including how he has helped all of his friends and family.
Clarence with George.
Once arriving on Earth, Clarence finds George about to jump off a bridge into an icy river. Before George can do so, Clarence jumps into the river himself, prompting the ever-selfless George to dive in and rescue him. Later, as they are drying out in the tollkeeper's shack, Clarence explains that he is George's guardian angel and has been sent to tell him his life isn't worthless at all. George doesn't believe him, instead saying that he wishes he'd never been born. In response, Clarence grants George's wish and shows him what life in Bedford Falls would be like if he never existed. George still doesn't believe it at first, but he soon changes his tune when he sees how miserable everyone's lives are in this timeline. After realizing how much his life has positively affected his friends and family, George regrets his hasty wish, and Clarence brings him back to his original life. At the end of the film, George finds that Clarence left him a copy of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer with this inscription:
| “ | Dear George, Remember, no man is a failure who has friends. P.S. Thanks for the wings! Love, Clarence. |
” |