A.K.A. MR. SMITH

At age 80, it’s a wonderful life for James Stewart. Far from retiring or retreating, the veteran actor has a national voice-over commercial for Campbell’s soup on TV that no one really believes is him--a problem when you possess one of those oft-imitated voices--and is just about to be named a godparent . . . of a pleasure cruise ship. The commercial is the second TV ad of Stewart’s long acting career--highlighted by an Oscar for “The Philadelphia Story” and Academy nominations for three other movies. His first commercial, for Firestone tires, ran about 10 years ago and was a personal favor for one of the Firestones themselves. And Stewart and his wife Gloria are to be godparents of Royal Viking Line’s newest vessel, the Royal Viking Sun. The couple will christen the 38,000-ton luxury ship Jan. 8 in formal christening ceremonies at Pier 35 in San Francisco--after being guests of honor at a black-tie ball and gala aboard the elegant cruise ship the evening before.