James Earl Jones was born on January 17, 1931, in Arkabutla, Mississippi. He is an American actor renowned for his rich baritone voice and commanding stage presence. His father, Robert Earl Jones, was a boxer, butler, and chauffeur who left the family shortly after James's birth. His mother, Ruth Williams Jones, was a teacher and maid. James was raised by his maternal grandparents in Michigan from the age of five.
During his early years, James developed a severe stutter that led him to become nearly mute. After his family relocated to Brethren, Michigan, a dedicated teacher helped him begin to manage his speech impediment. It wasn't until high school, under the guidance of English teacher Donald Crouch, that James started to regain his voice and confidence through poetry and public speaking.
James attended high school at Dickson Rural Agricultural School in Brethren before enrolling at the University of Michigan. Initially a pre-med major, he later realized his passion for acting and transferred to the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance. He graduated in 1955 with a focus in drama. During college, he was a member of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) and excelled in the program.
After graduation, James was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War era. While he did not see active combat, he trained at the Ranger School in Camp Hale, Colorado, and was eventually promoted to first lieutenant before being honorably discharged.
After his military service, James moved to New York City to study at the American Theatre Wing. His talent soon garnered him roles in numerous stage productions. He gained critical acclaim for his performance in The Great White Hope, winning a Tony Award in 1969. His portrayal of complex characters in Shakespearean productions such as Othello, King Lear, Claudius in Hamlet, Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Abhorson in Measure for Measure elevated his status as one of the foremost classical actors of his time.
James later won a second Tony Award in 1987 for his performance in August Wilson's Fences—cementing his reputation as a commanding presence on stage.
James Earl Jones has had an extensive career in film, television, and voice acting. His deep, resonant voice became iconic, most notably for voicing Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy: Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980), and Return of the Jedi (1983), as well as later entries such as Rogue One (2016). He also voiced Mufasa in Disney’s The Lion King (1994) and reprised the role in the 2019 remake.
His diverse filmography includes Dr. Strangelove (1964), The Comedians (1967), The Great White Hope (1970), Claudine (1974), The Greatest (1977), Conan the Barbarian (1982), Coming to America (1988), Field of Dreams (1989), The Hunt for Red October (1990), Patriot Games (1992), Sneakers (1992), The Sandlot (1993), Clear and Present Danger (1994), Cry, the Beloved Country (1995), Primary Colors (1998), and Fantasia 2000 (1999), among many others.
His voice became synonymous with authority and wisdom, leading to notable roles in animations and documentaries as well.
| Birth Date: | 17 Jan, 1931 |
| Age: | 89 yrs |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Arkabutla |
| Education: | University of Michigan |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American actor |
| Spouse: | Cecilia Hart [M. 1982] Julienne Marie[1968-1972] |
| Net Worth 2021: | 40 million |
