KJ Apa has earned a stamp of approval from the family of Jimmy Stewart for his portrayal of the actor and military aviator in the forthcoming “Jimmy” biopic, which releases in theaters Nov. 6.
Stewart’s daughter, Kelly Stewart-Harcourt, praised Apa’s performance, saying it was “eerie” to see him in character firsthand while she filmed her guest appearance in the film.
“I was thrilled, because the problem with somebody playing dad… was that you don’t want to sit there and listen to a Jimmy Stewart impersonation for two hours,” she told Entertainment Weekly. “And dad has such a distinctive way of speaking. It’s hard not to do an impersonation, but KJ channels him and brings him to life without doing a Jimmy Stewart impersonation. So I don’t see how they could have found anybody better.”
“Jimmy” follows Stewart’s journey from winning an Academy Award for “The Philadelphia Story” to serving 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 previously said in a 2025 statement. “He was among a certain breed of men who understood the true meaning of sacrifice by fighting for our freedom. He was also among the greatest actors of all time, starring in over 80 movies and winning one Academy Award for best actor. His story is one of strength and purpose, love and honor, fame and war. His story is one that begs us to think of the greater good and to be willing 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. Variety’s Marc Malkin makes an appearance as bandleader Glenn Miller.