Respeecher and Calm app bring Jimmy Stewart’s voice back through AI technology

Discover how the Calm app recreated Jimmy Stewart’s voice for It's a Wonderful Sleep Story.

Actor Jimmy Stewart passed away in 1997, leaving behind a legacy that transcends time. Now, through the marvels of AI and voice cloning technology, his sonorous voice returns to captivate audiences in an unexpected medium—the Calm sleep and meditation app.

Exploring the fusion of Hollywood legacy and artificial intelligence

In a remarkable intersection of Hollywood nostalgia and cutting-edge technology, the iconic voice of James Stewart, the legendary actor known for timeless classics such as It’s a Wonderful Life and Vertigo, has been resurrected through artificial intelligence (AI) for a special bedtime story on the popular Calm app.

Who is Jimmy Stewart?

James Stewart, often affectionately known as Jimmy Stewart, was a prominent figure in the Golden Age of Hollywood. Born in Indiana, Pennsylvania, in 1908, Stewart’s acting career spanned over five decades, leaving an indelible mark on American cinema. His performances in acclaimed films like It’s a Wonderful Life, Vertigo, and Rear Window solidified his status as one of the industry’s most beloved actors.

Stewart’s acting prowess earned him various accolades, including an Academy Award for Best Actor and a Lifetime Achievement Award. His unique voice, characterized by its warmth and authenticity, has resonated with audiences for generations, even after his death in 1997.

About Respeecher

Respeecher is a Ukrainian software company specializing in speech synthesis and artificial intelligence technology. Frustrated by robotic voices in video games and navigation systems, the team harnessed AI and machine learning to create indistinguishable synthetic recordings. Now, their voice cloning technology serves filmmakers, TV producers, game developers, advertisers, podcasters, and content creators. Despite the potential risks, Respeecher enforces a strict code of ethics and robust security measures. The company's journey began with the question: Can we clone human speech and swap voices? Today, Respeecher is a testament to the transformative power of technology in audio production and is even being used to bring voices back from the dead.

From Hollywood to the Calm app

With the consent of Stewart’s family and estate, his voice was recently recreated using AI voice cloning technology for a special rendition of It’s a Wonderful Life for the Calm app.

The Calm app is a sleep and meditation app known for its innovative sleep story series narrated by celebrities, such as Camila Cabello, Cynthia Erivo, Cillian Murphy, Harry Styles, Idris Elba, Jennifer Garner, Kate Winslet, Laura Dern, LeBron James, LeVar Burton, Lucy Liu, Mandy Moore, Matthew McConaughey, Michael Bublé, Nick Offerman, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Regé-Jean Page, and Shawn Mendes.

Jimmy Stewart was recently added to this list when Calm introduced the groundbreaking AI-generated addition, It’s a Wonderful Sleep Story, a holiday tale weaving together themes of love, loss, hope, and joy, which premiered exclusively on its app on December 5, 2023.

How AI brings Jimmy Stewart to life

The project, developed in collaboration with Respeecher, an AI voice cloning startup, utilized advanced technology to recreate Jimmy Stewart’s voice. Respeecher’s CEO and co-founder, Alex Serdiuk, emphasized the ethical responsibility and respect in the process, acknowledging the significance of paying tribute to Stewart’s incredible career.

The AI-generated voice of Stewart on the Calm app is not a mere deepfake but a carefully crafted rendition. A voice actor was employed to perform the lines, mimicking Stewart’s speech style. These lines were then cloned using AI to produce the entire story.

Family approval and legacy continuation

The project obtained consent from Stewart’s family and estate, managed by CMG Worldwide, ensuring that the recreation aligns with the actor’s legacy.

Kelly Stewart Harcourt, one of Stewart’s daughters, expressed excitement about her father becoming the voice of Calm’s latest sleep story.

“We are excited for our dad to be the voice of Calm’s latest sleep story. It’s amazing what technology can do and wonderful to see Dad’s legacy live on this holiday season in new ways, like helping people find restful sleep and sweet dreams,” she told Variety.

AI in entertainment: Recreating Hollywood icons

AI-generated voices have become a trend in the entertainment industry, extending beyond Hollywood legends like Jimmy Stewart.

Respeecher, the same startup involved in this project, previously recreated Mark Hamill’s voice for a young Luke Skywalker in The Mandalorian and James Earl Jones’ Darth Vader voice for Obi-Wan Kenobi on Disney+.

While AI’s role in entertainment is expanding, it has sparked debates about authenticity and ethical considerations. The recreation of voices, as seen in the case of Edith Piaf’s upcoming biopic, has faced criticism for potentially being exploitative.

The future of AI-generated narratives

As AI technology continues to advance, the boundaries of what can be achieved in entertainment expand. The AI-generated Jimmy Stewart on the Calm app serves as a testament to the evolving landscape of storytelling and the fusion of technology with the timeless charm of Hollywood.

In a world where voices of the past can be brought back to life through artificial means, the balance between innovation and ethical responsibility remains a central theme.

As AI-generated narratives become more prevalent and we begin to see them frequently on platforms like Netflix, CBS, Apple, and beyond, the conversation around consent, authenticity, and legacy preservation will undoubtedly shape the future of this fascinating intersection between Hollywood history and artificial intelligence.

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FAQ

Where does It’s a Wonderful Life take place?

It’s a Wonderful Life takes place in Bedford Falls, New York, which is a fictionalized town.

What is the most popular online retailer in America?

Amazon is currently the most popular online retailer in America and takes the top spot when Americans are polled on this question.

How can a voice actor recreate Trump’s voice?

A voice actor can recreate Trump’s voice by studying and mimicking his distinctive speech patterns, including his cadence, pitch, emphasis on certain words, and unique vocal quirks.