'A true American hero': 'Jimmy' cast honors Jimmy Stewart's faith, military sacrifice at Texas premiere

FORT WORTH, Texas — Hollywood stars, military veterans and family members of legendary actor James Stewart gathered for the red carpet premiere of "Jimmy," a biographical drama celebrating the Oscar winner's extraordinary military service and legacy of faith and sacrifice.

The Nov. 4 event featured a military color guard ceremony, a performance of the National Anthem and a flyover by a B-24 bomber, the type of aircraft Stewart flew during World War II. Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker proclaimed the date "Jimmy Stewart Day," honoring the actor's service to his country and his contributions to American cinema.

Stewart's daughter, Kelly Stewart Harcourt, who serves as an executive producer on the film, told The Christian Post that the evening was a tribute to a father she remembers not for his Hollywood accolades, but for his commitment to doing what was right, fueled by his faith.

"He always tried to do the right thing. He always tried to be good, and that's why he was a good man," an emotional Harcourt told CP. 

"He always really did what he felt was right, and that's not that easy, especially not in Hollywood and with the accolades he had," she continued. "A lot of temptations ... it's just easy to slide, get lazy. I think Dad was really aware and conscious of leading a good life. That's what he aimed for."

Directed by Aaron Burns and starring KJ Apa as Stewart, "Jimmy," opening in theaters Nov. 6, chronicles a lesser-known chapter of the beloved actor's life: his decision to leave Hollywood at the height of his career to serve as a combat pilot during World War II.

Already an Academy Award winner for "The Philadelphia Story," Stewart enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and ultimately flew 20 combat missions over Europe, rising to the rank of colonel during the war. He later became a brigadier general in the Air Force Reserve.

The film follows Stewart's transformation from celebrated movie star to military leader and explores the psychological toll of combat, including the emotional struggles he faced upon returning to Hollywood.

Those experiences culminated in his decision to star in Frank Capra's 1946 Christmas classic "It's a Wonderful Life," in which Stewart portrayed George Bailey, a man overwhelmed by despair who ultimately discovers the profound value of his life. While "It's a Wonderful Life" initially struggled at the box office, it has since become one of America's most beloved Christmas films.

Apa, best known for his starring role in "Riverdale," said that portraying Stewart, a devout Christian, gave him a deeper understanding of the sacrifices made by American service members and the challenges they face after returning home.

"It definitely changed my perspective on who he was and the life that he led," Apa told CP. "I wasn't familiar with so much of the personal sides of his life, and ... what veterans do for this country and what they go through and what they go through when they come home."

The 29-year-old actor said he hopes young men, especially, are inspired by Stewart's willingness to choose integrity over personal comfort regardless of the cost.

"Just to do the right thing when you're called to do it," Apa said. "I think that's one of the huge parts of this movie, too, is that Jimmy, at a really scary time in history, chose to do the right thing, you know, not the easy thing."

The premiere, held in conjunction with the Lone Star Film Festival, was hosted by Fort Worth-based Papaian Studios, a faith-oriented entertainment company founded by Hien Papaian, an executive producer of the film. The studio is also supporting an initiative aimed at providing up to 1 million complimentary movie tickets to veterans, active-duty military personnel, first responders and their families.

Guests of the premiere, which was open to the public, were also encouraged to donate $5 to the Wreaths for Indiana County Veterans Project, an initiative honoring deceased service members in Stewart's home county in Pennsylvania.

“We need stories like this right now,” Papaian told CP. “We need to be reminded that there is always hope, and Jimmy’s life demonstrated that.” 

Actor and Marine Corps veteran Rob Riggle, who portrays Col. Terrill in the film, said he hopes the story reminds audiences of the sacrifices made by those who voluntarily serve their country.

"I hope they see a little bit of themselves in this film," Riggle told CP of military audiences. "The fact that they chose to serve as well, and that's a huge thing. I think that gets overlooked sometimes."

Riggle, who served 23 years in the Marine Corps Reserve before retiring as a lieutenant colonel, noted that the United States has relied on an all-volunteer military since 1973.

"Anybody who served after that chose to make that sacrifice, chose to make ... was willing to risk life and limb for this nation," he said. "Hats off to our veterans for making that choice because we're all better for it."

He called Stewart's decision to abandon Hollywood at the peak of his career an example of genuine heroism, adding: "He was at the top, top of his game in Hollywood, at actually the zenith, winning an Academy Award in '41, and then boom, he's off to war. That's a true American hero story, in my opinion."

Riggle said learning about Stewart's wartime experiences also fundamentally changed how he views "It's a Wonderful Life," particularly the scenes in which George Bailey lashes out in frustration and despair.

"Now I have a much better understanding of what Jimmy was going through," he said. "Jimmy was really suffering from PTSD, and when he got back, the first film he did was 'It's a Wonderful Life.'"

"Those are such powerful moments, and now I see him through a different lens," Riggle added. "I realize he may have been, for the first time in his life, addressing some of that pain that he experienced from the violence and the trauma that he experienced during war. The performance becomes more raw to me."

Also attending the premiere was Karolyn Grimes, 86, who portrayed Zuzu Bailey, George Bailey's youngest daughter, in the original "It's a Wonderful Life."

Grimes, whose character delivered the film's famous line about angels receiving their wings, recalled reconnecting with Stewart decades after the film's release. She said she didn't actually watch "It's a Wonderful Life" until she was 40, when growing interest in the movie prompted fans to search for the actress who had played Zuzu.

Stewart eventually helped reconnect her with the film's audience, beginning a relationship that continued into his later years.

"As an adult, I got back together with him again," Grimes told CP. "He found me and from that time forward, we had a relationship, and I was so pleased. ... He was just the kindest man in the world. He helped veterans right and left, and he just knew what to do to make other people's lives better. Great guy."

Reflecting on what younger generations could learn from Stewart's example, Grimes emphasized the importance of generosity and service.

"I'm hoping that they will find the gift that giving is much more satisfying than taking," she said. "Because when you give of yourself to someone, it's a true gift. So helping people and making a difference improves your life considerably, and I hope they realize that."

Actress Kara Killmer, who portrays Lady Julia in "Jimmy," a British aristocrat who helps support Allied service members during the war while navigating personal losses of her own, also expressed hope the film introduces younger generations to Stewart and the experiences that informed his life and career.

"I think everybody is pretty familiar with 'It's a Wonderful Life,' which is great," she said. "But I think there are some younger generations who maybe haven't seen it or they're not as familiar with Jimmy Stewart."

"Our hope is that this will kind of introduce him to the new generations of audience members, and that everybody will be touched by his portrayal of George Bailey and become acquainted with the real story behind it."

The film also stars Neal McDonough as Stewart's father, Alexander Stewart; Max Casella as Frank Capra; Christopher McDonald as Lionel Barrymore; Sarah Drew as Hollywood gossip columnist Hedda Hopper; and Jen Lilley as Gloria Stewart, whom the actor married in 1949. The film opens in theaters on Nov. 6.