Kelly Stewart-Harcourt Praises KJ Apa's Turn as Her Father in 'Jimmy'

KJ Apa has won the approval of Jimmy Stewart's own family for playing the Hollywood icon in the biopic "Jimmy," which reaches theaters on Nov. 6.

Stewart's daughter, Kelly Stewart-Harcourt, praised the performance after seeing Apa in character firsthand during her own guest appearance in the film. She described the experience as "eerie."

Her concern, she told Entertainment Weekly, was simple: "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 added: "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."

What does the film cover?

"Jimmy" traces Stewart's path from his Academy Award win for "The Philadelphia Story" into World War II service. Stewart flew 20 combat missions over Europe and rose to the rank of colonel. After returning home, he took on the role of George Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life."

Apa addressed the scope of the story in a 2025 statement. "Jimmy Stewart was an American Hero," he said. "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," Apa continued. "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."

Who appears alongside Apa?

Aaron Burns directs the film. The cast includes:

• 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
• Jen Lilley as Gloria Stewart
• Variety's Marc Malkin as bandleader Glenn Miller

The family endorsement lands weeks before the Nov. 6 release, giving the production a rare authentication: praise from the person who knew Stewart's voice best.