If you’re looking for new ways to unwind before a good night’s rest (or nightmare), Jimmy Stewart’s AI-generated voice has you covered. As reported by Variety, the legendary Hollywood actor’s essence has been newly captured on the Calm sleep and meditation app as he narrates a bedtime story.
“It’s a Wonderful Sleep Story” recounts a “heartwarming new holiday tale” in the style of Stewart’s Christmas classic, “It’s A Wonderful Life.” It’s available to premium subscribers of the app, which costs $69.99 per year.
Though Stewart died in 1997, Calm researchers were able to resurrect his voice using AI voice-cloning technology in collaboration with Respeecher, a Ukraine-based startup that produces synthetic speech and voice clones with machine-learning technology. The company, which worked to recreate Mark Hamill’s voice of Luke Skywalker for The Mandolorian and James Earl Jones’ voice of Darth Vader for Obi-Wan Kenobi on Disney+, also employed a voice actor to perform the lines and mimic Stewart’s famous drawl. The story was written by Calm’s creative team.
The project was approved by CMG Worldwide, the company that manages Mr. Stewart’s licensing. “Jimmy Stewart’s calming voice is one of the most iconic in movie history, and we’re thrilled to see it brought to the leading relaxation app on the market,” chief marketing officer of CMG Worldwide, Tina Xavie, told Variety. “Thanks to advanced technology, we all get the joy of hearing Jimmy’s unique voice again.”
“Well, hello. I’m James Stewart. But, well, you can call me Jimmy,” the AI-generated voice of Stewart begins in an audio shared by the outlet. “Tonight, I’m going to tell you a story. It’s a heartwarming story of love, of loss, of hope and of joy. But most of all, it’s a wonderful sleep story.”
Kelly Stewart Harcourt, one of Stewart’s daughters, celebrated the project in a statement shared with Variety, saying, “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.”
Stewart is the latest celebrity to join Calm’s “Sleep Story” series, arriving among the likes of Laura Dern, Matthew McConaughey, Cillian Murphy, Harry Styles, and more.
