James Earl Jones

Biography

James Earl Jones was a distinguished actor whose work spanned theater, film, television, and voice acting. He was born in Arkabutla, Mississippi, and raised by his maternal grandparents in Michigan. As a child he suffered from a severe stutter and was mostly silent until high school, when a teacher encouraged him to recite poetry—this helped him find his voice. He studied drama at the University of Michigan, served in the U.S. military, and later trained in New York. On stage, Jones won major acclaim, including Tony Awards for roles in The Great White Hope and Fences. On screen he delivered unforgettable performances: he voiced Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in The Lion King. He also appeared in films such as Coming to America, Field of Dreams, and The Hunt for Red October. Over a career of more than six decades he earned Emmys, Tonys, a Grammy, and an honorary Oscar. He was married twice, most memorably to actress Cecilia Hart, with whom he had a son, Flynn. His resonant voice and commanding presence made him one of the most respected actors in American history.