James Earl Jones

Born:January 17, 1931

Place of Birth:Arkabutla, Mississippi, USA

Died:September 9, 2024

Known For:Acting

Biography

James Earl Jones, born on January 17, 1931, left an indelible mark on American cinema and theater. His commanding presence and unmistakable voice set him apart as a true icon of the industry. Throughout his illustrious career, Jones garnered numerous accolades, including three Tony Awards, two Emmy Awards, and a Grammy Award, showcasing his exceptional talent and versatility as an actor.

Renowned for his profound performances on both stage and screen, James Earl Jones captivated audiences with his unparalleled skill and dedication to his craft. His portrayal of characters exuded a unique blend of strength and vulnerability, earning him a well-deserved reputation as one of the greatest actors in American history. Inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1985, Jones' contributions to the world of performing arts were celebrated and revered by his peers and audiences alike.

In addition to his impressive array of awards, James Earl Jones was the recipient of prestigious honors such as the National Medal of Arts in 1992, the Kennedy Center Honor in 2002, the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2009, and the Honorary Academy Award in 2011. These accolades served as a testament to his enduring impact on the entertainment industry and his commitment to excellence in his craft.

One of the defining features of James Earl Jones' performances was his deep, resonant voice, often described as a "stirring basso profondo." This distinctive quality added a layer of gravitas and intensity to his roles, captivating audiences and leaving a lasting impression. His voice became synonymous with authority and power, enhancing the characters he portrayed on stage and screen.

Beyond his remarkable talent as an actor, James Earl Jones was a cultural icon whose influence extended far beyond the realm of entertainment. His contributions to the arts and his advocacy for diversity and representation in media left a lasting impact on future generations of performers and artists. Jones' legacy continues to inspire and resonate with audiences worldwide, solidifying his status as a true legend of the silver screen.

With a career spanning decades, James Earl Jones' body of work remains a testament to his extraordinary talent and unwavering dedication to his craft. From his early beginnings in theater to his iconic roles in film and television, Jones' performances continue to captivate and move audiences of all generations. His ability to breathe life into complex characters and convey profound emotion through his acting set him apart as a master of his craft.

James Earl Jones' contributions to the world of entertainment have left an indelible mark on the industry, shaping the landscape of American cinema and theater. His legacy as a trailblazer and visionary actor endures, serving as an inspiration to aspiring performers and artists around the world. Jones' impact on the arts will be felt for generations to come, solidifying his rightful place among the pantheon of greats in Hollywood history.

As a cultural icon and revered actor, James Earl Jones' influence transcended the boundaries of the stage and screen, leaving an enduring legacy that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. His unparalleled talent, commanding presence, and distinctive voice cemented his status as a true legend in the realm of entertainment, earning him the admiration and respect of fans and colleagues alike. James Earl Jones will forever be remembered as a titan of the industry, whose contributions enriched the world of performing arts and inspired countless individuals to pursue their artistic passions.

Images

Filmography

Acting

Star Wars

Darth Vader (voice) (uncredited)

1977

Princess Leia is captured and held hostage by the evil Imperial forces in their effort to take over the galactic Empire. Venturesome Luke Skywalker and dashing captain Han Solo team together with the loveable robot duo R2-D2 and C-3PO to rescue the beautiful princess and restore peace and justice in the Empire.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Darth Vader (voice)

2016

A rogue band of resistance fighters unite for a mission to steal the Death Star plans and bring a new hope to the galaxy.

The Lion King

Mufasa (voice)

1994

Young lion prince Simba, eager to one day become king of the Pride Lands, grows up under the watchful eye of his father Mufasa; all the while his villainous uncle Scar conspires to take the throne for himself. Amid betrayal and tragedy, Simba must confront his past and find his rightful place in the Circle of Life.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Darth Vader (voice)

2019

The surviving Resistance faces the First Order once again as the journey of Rey, Finn and Poe Dameron continues. With the power and knowledge of generations behind them, the final battle begins.

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

Darth Vader (voice - uncredited)

2005

The evil Darth Sidious enacts his final plan for unlimited power – and the heroic Jedi Anakin Skywalker must choose a side.

The Lion King

Mufasa (voice)

2019

Simba idolizes his father, King Mufasa, and takes to heart his own royal destiny. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub's arrival. Scar, Mufasa's brother—and former heir to the throne—has plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock is ravaged with betrayal, tragedy and drama, ultimately resulting in Simba's exile. With help from a curious pair of newfound friends, Simba will have to figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his.

The Empire Strikes Back

Darth Vader (voice) (uncredited)

1980

The epic saga continues as Luke Skywalker, in hopes of defeating the evil Galactic Empire, learns the ways of the Jedi from aging master Yoda. But Darth Vader is more determined than ever to capture Luke. Meanwhile, rebel leader Princess Leia, cocky Han Solo, Chewbacca, and droids C-3PO and R2-D2 are thrown into various stages of capture, betrayal and despair.

Return of the Jedi

Darth Vader (voice)

1983

Luke Skywalker leads a mission to rescue his friend Han Solo from the clutches of Jabba the Hutt, while the Emperor seeks to destroy the Rebellion once and for all with a second dreaded Death Star.

Sneakers

Mr. Bernard Abbott

1992

When shadowy U.S. intelligence agents blackmail a reformed computer hacker and his eccentric team of security experts into stealing a code-breaking 'black box' from a Soviet-funded genius, they uncover a bigger conspiracy. Now, he and his 'sneakers' must save themselves and the world economy by retrieving the box from their blackmailers.

Robots

Voice Box at Hardware Store (voice)

2005

Rodney Copperbottom is a young robot inventor who dreams of making the world a better place, until the evil Ratchet takes over Bigweld Industries. Now, Rodney's dreams – and those of his friends – are in danger of becoming obsolete.

The Lion King II: Simba's Pride

Mufasa (voice)

1998

The circle of life continues for Simba, now fully grown and in his rightful place as the king of Pride Rock. Simba and Nala have given birth to a daughter, Kiara who's as rebellious as her father was. But Kiara drives her parents to distraction when she catches the eye of Kovu, the son of the evil lioness, Zira. Will Kovu steal Kiara's heart?

Coming to America

King Jaffe Joffer

1988

An African prince decides it’s time for him to find a princess... and his mission leads him and his most loyal friend to Queens, New York. In disguise as an impoverished immigrant, the pampered prince quickly finds himself a new job, new friends, new digs, new enemies and lots of trouble.

Click

Narrator of Michael's Past (voice) (uncredited)

2006

A married workaholic, Michael Newman doesn't have time for his wife and children, not if he's to impress his ungrateful boss and earn a well-deserved promotion. So when he meets Morty, a loopy sales clerk, he gets the answer to his prayers: a magical remote that allows him to bypass life's little distractions with increasingly hysterical results.

Scary Movie 4

Narrator (uncredited)

2006

Cindy finds out the house she lives in is haunted by a little boy and goes on a quest to find out who killed him and why. Also, Alien "Tr-iPods" are invading the world and she has to uncover the secret in order to stop them.

The Sandlot

Mr. Mertle

1993

During a summer of friendship and adventure, one boy becomes a part of the gang, nine boys become a team and their leader becomes a legend by confronting the terrifying mystery beyond the right field wall.

Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult

James Earl Jones (uncredited)

1994

Frank Drebin is persuaded out of retirement to go undercover in a state prison. There he has to find out what top terrorist, Rocco, has planned for when he escapes. Adding to his problems, Frank's wife, Jane, is desperate for a baby.

The Hunt for Red October

Vice ADM James Greer

1990

A new technologically-superior Soviet nuclear sub, the Red October, is heading for the U.S. coast under the command of Captain Marko Ramius. The American government thinks Ramius is planning to attack. Lone CIA analyst Jack Ryan has a different idea: he thinks Ramius is planning to defect, but he has only a few hours to find him and prove it - because the entire Russian naval and air commands are trying to find Ramius, too. The hunt is on!

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

Lt. Lothar Zogg

1964

After the insane General Jack D. Ripper initiates a nuclear strike on the Soviet Union, a war room full of politicians, generals and a Russian diplomat all frantically try to stop the nuclear strike.

Coming 2 America

King Jaffe Joffer

2021

Prince Akeem Joffer is set to become King of Zamunda when he discovers he has a son he never knew about in America – a street savvy Queens native named Lavelle. Honoring his royal father's dying wish to groom this son as the crown prince, Akeem and Semmi set off to America once again.

Conan the Barbarian

Thulsa Doom

1982

A horde of rampaging warriors massacre the parents of young Conan and enslave the young child for years on The Wheel of Pain. As the sole survivor of the childhood massacre, Conan is released from slavery and taught the ancient arts of fighting. Transforming himself into a killing machine, Conan travels into the wilderness to seek vengeance on Thulsa Doom, the man responsible for killing his family. In the wilderness, Conan takes up with the thieves Valeria and Subotai. The group comes upon King Osric, who wants the trio of warriors to help rescue his daughter who has joined Doom in the hills.

Judge Dredd

Narrator (uncredited)

1995

In a dystopian future, Dredd, the most famous judge (a cop with instant field judiciary powers) is convicted for a crime he did not commit while his murderous counterpart escapes.

Clear and Present Danger

Admiral James Greer

1994

Agent Jack Ryan becomes acting Deputy Director of Intelligence for the CIA when Admiral Greer is diagnosed with cancer. When an American businessman, and friend of the president, is murdered on his yacht, Ryan starts discovering links between the man and drug dealers. As former CIA agent John Clark is sent to Colombia to kill drug cartel kingpins in retaliation, Ryan must fight through multiple cover-ups to figure out what happened and who's responsible.

Patriot Games

Adm. James Greer

1992

When CIA Analyst Jack Ryan interferes with an IRA assassination, a renegade faction targets Jack and his family as revenge.

The Benchwarmers

Darth Vader (voice)

2006

A trio of guys try and make up for missed opportunities in childhood by forming a three-player baseball team to compete against standard little league squads.

Field of Dreams

Terrence Mann

1989

Ray Kinsella is an Iowa farmer who hears a mysterious voice telling him to turn his cornfield into a baseball diamond. He does, but the voice's directions don't stop -- even after the spirits of deceased ballplayers turn up to play.

Fantasia 2000

Self - Host

2000

Blending lively music and brilliant animation, this sequel to the original 'Fantasia' restores 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice' and adds seven new shorts.

The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar

Mufasa (voice)

2016

Set in the African savannah, the film follows Kion as he assembles the members of the 'Lion Guard'. Throughout the film, the diverse team of young animals will learn how to utilize each of their unique abilities to solve problems and accomplish tasks to maintain balance within the Circle of Life, while also introducing viewers to the vast array of animals that populate the prodigious African landscape.

Best of the Best

Frank Couzo

1989

A team from the United States is going to compete against Korea in a Tae Kwon Do tournament. The team consists of fighters from all over the country--can they overcome their rivalry and work together to win?

Sommersby

Judge Barry Conrad Issacs

1993

Set in the South just after the US Civil War, Laurel Sommersby is just managing to work the farm without her husband, believed killed in battle. By all accounts, Jack Sommersby was not a pleasant man, thus when he suddenly returns, Laurel has mixed emotions. It appears that Jack has changed a great deal, leading some people to believe that this is not actually Jack but an imposter. Laurel herself is unsure, but willing to take the man into her home, and perhaps later into her heart.

Exorcist II: The Heretic

Older Kokumo

1977

Bizarre nightmares plague Regan MacNeil four years after her possession and exorcism. Has the demon returned? And if so, can the combined faith and knowledge of a Vatican investigator and a research specialist free her from its grasp?

Primary Colors

CNN Voiceover (voice)

1998

In this adaptation of the best-selling roman à clef about Bill Clinton's 1992 run for the White House, the young and gifted Henry Burton is tapped to oversee the presidential campaign of Governor Jack Stanton. Burton is pulled into the politician's colorful world and looks on as Stanton -- who has a wandering eye that could be his downfall -- contends with his ambitious wife, Susan, and an outspoken adviser, Richard Jemmons.

The Flight of Dragons

Ommadon (voice)

1982

The realm of magic is being threatened by the realm of logic, so Carolinus, the green wizard decides to shield it for all time. Ommadon, the evil red wizard, stands in his way. Carolinus then calls for a quest that is to be led by a man named Peter Dickinson, who is the first man of both the realms of science and magic. It is Peter's job to defeat Ommadon.

Soul Man

Professor Banks

1986

A white prospective grad student's affluent family won't pay his way through law school, so he takes tanning pills to darken his skin in order to qualify for an African-American scholarship at Harvard. He soon gets more than he bargained for, as he begins to learn what life is really like for blacks in America.

Waking Sleeping Beauty

Self (archive footage)

2009

By the mid-1980s, the fabled animation studios of Walt Disney had fallen on hard times. The artists were polarized between newcomers hungry to innovate and old timers not yet ready to relinquish control. These conditions produced a series of box-office flops and pessimistic forecasts: maybe the best days of animation were over. Maybe the public didn't care. Only a miracle or a magic spell could produce a happy ending. Waking Sleeping Beauty is no fairy tale. It's the true story of how Disney regained its magic with a staggering output of hits - "Little Mermaid," "Beauty and the Beast ," "Aladdin," "The Lion King," and more - over a 10-year period.

The Angriest Man in Brooklyn

Ruben

2014

After learning that a brain aneurysm will kill him in about 90 minutes, a perpetually unhappy man struggles to come to terms with his fate and make amends with everyone he has ever hurt.

The Ambulance

Lt. Spencer

1990

Josh meets a young woman who shortly afterwards collapses and is rushed to hospital in an ambulance. He follows after her only to find that there is no record her being admitted, and he soon learns that her roommate also vanished after being picked up by the same ambulance. Convinced of a conspiracy, Josh proceeds to investigate, despite the discouragement of the police.

Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street

Self (archive footage)

2021

Take a stroll down Sesame Street and witness the birth of the most influential children's show in television history. From the iconic furry characters to the classic songs you know by heart, learn how a gang of visionary creators changed the world.

Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odyssey

Admiral (voice)

2010

Dave, a young photon, who is forced out of the Sun on a journey of discovery. He must get to the Cassini Space Craft and save it from the forces of the Void, only Dave does not know exactly what he must do or even where the Cassini Space craft is or what it is. The forces of the Void must destroy Cassini before it sends its great discoveries back to Earth and Dave is the only thing that stands between them and victory.

Production

Mufasa: The Lion King

In Memory Of

2024

Mufasa, a cub lost and alone, meets a sympathetic lion named Taka, the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of a group of misfits searching for their destiny.