KJ Apa has earned approval from Jimmy Stewart’s family for his portrayal of the actor and military aviator in the upcoming biopic “Jimmy,” which hits theaters Nov. 6.
Stewart’s daughter, Kelly Stewart-Harcourt, praised Apa’s performance, saying it was “strange” to see him in character while she filmed his appearance in the film.
“I was thrilled, because the problem with someone playing Dad… was you didn’t want to sit there and listen to a Jimmy Stewart impersonation for two hours,” she told Entertainment Weekly. “And Dad has such a unique way of speaking. It’s hard not to do an impersonation, but KJ channels him and brings him to life without doing an impersonation of Jimmy Stewart. So I don’t see how they could have found someone better.”
“Jimmy” follows Stewart’s journey from his Oscar win for “The Philadelphia Story” to his service in World War II, where he flew 20 missions over Europe and rose to the rank of colonel. Upon arriving home, Stewart returned to the screen as George Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
“Jimmy Stewart was an American hero,” Apa said in a 2025 statement. “He was part of a certain breed of men who understood the true meaning of sacrifice in fighting for our freedom. He was also one of the greatest actors of all time, starring in more than 80 films and winning the Academy Award for Best Actor. His story is one of strength and purpose, love and honor, glory and war. His story invites us to think about the common good and to be ready to fight for it.”
Aaron Burns directs the film, which also stars Kara Killmer as Lady Julia; Neal McDonough as Stewart’s father, Alexander; Max Casella as Frank Capra; Jason Alexander as Louis B. Mayer; Christopher McDonald as Lionel Barrymore; Sarah Drew as Hedda Hopper; Rob Riggle as Colonel Terrill; Julian works as Second Lieutenant Martinez; and Jen Lilley as Gloria Stewart. VarietyMarc Malkin makes an appearance as conductor Glenn Miller.
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