NEW YORK — A new film called ‘Jimmy’ tells the story of how Hollywood star James Stewart walked away from his career at its peak to fly bombers in World War II, according to CBS News.
Stewart won an Academy Award for ‘The Philadelphia Story’ in 1941, then enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He was already an accomplished pilot.
He flew 20 combat missions over Germany and lost men under his command, CBS News reported. His first role after nearly five years away was in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’
‘He knew that America needed good pilots; he was one,’ said Janie McKirgan, curator at the Jimmy Stewart Museum in his hometown of Indiana, Pennsylvania.
Actor K.J. Apa said he did not know about Stewart’s service before the film. ‘I can’t believe it was true,’ he said. Co-star Max Casella said Stewart ‘gave up Hollywood at the very top of the mountain.’
Stewart’s daughter, an executive producer on the film, said her father came home a different man, wondering whether he even wanted to make films again.
Sources: CBS News. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: US Air Force / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
