James Maitland Stewart (1908-1997) was an American film actor and military aviator, recognised for his distinctive drawl and down-to-earth screen persona. He rose to prominence in the late 1930s through his collaborations with Frank Capra, winning the Academy Award for Best Actor for The Philadelphia Story (1940). A decorated World War II combat pilot who flew twenty missions over Europe, he later forged a celebrated partnership with Alfred Hitchcock across four films. His portrayal of George Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life (1946) remains one of cinema's most enduring performances.
The biographical film Jimmy, with KJ Apa as James Stewart, will be released in American cinemas on November 6, 2026.
The first trailer for the Stewart biopic Jimmy was released in December 2025, featuring footage of his Oscar-winning role and his service as a fighter pilot.
KJ Apa was announced in August 2025 as the lead actor in the Stewart biopic Jimmy; Stewart's daughter Kelly Stewart-Harcourt serves as executive producer.
