:James Earl Jones

File:Robert Earl Jones in Langston Hughes' Don't You Want to be Free? (23 June 1938; photograph by Carl Van Vechten).jpg, in promotional still for the Langston Hughes play Don't You Want to Be Free? (1938)]]

James Earl Jones was born in Arkabutla, Mississippi, on January 17, 1931,{{cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/09/arts/james-earl-jones-dead.html|title = James Earl Jones, Whose Powerful Acting Resonated Onstage and Onscreen, Dies at 93|last = McFadden|first = Robert D.|authorlink = Robert D. McFadden|date = September 9, 2024|accessdate = September 9, 2024|newspaper = The New York Times|url-access = limited|archive-date = September 9, 2024|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240909213050/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/09/arts/james-earl-jones-dead.html/|url-status = live}} to Ruth ({{nee|Connolly}}; 1911–1986), a teacher and maid, and Robert Earl Jones (1910–2006), a boxer, butler, and chauffeur. His father left the family shortly after James Earl's birth and later became a stage and screen actor in New York and Hollywood.{{Cite journal|last=Bandler|first=Michael J.|title=This is James Earl Jones|journal=NWA World Traveler|publisher=Northwest Airlines|url= https://www.nwaworldtraveler.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=3BA4583DD6074B17AC433C6F1DB1729B&nm=Archives&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=EFE8668FC21A45458BA591255BB3367E|date=March 2008|access-date=April 3, 2008|archive-date= March 20, 2008|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080320085425/https://www.nwaworldtraveler.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=3BA4583DD6074B17AC433C6F1DB1729B&nm=Archives&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=EFE8668FC21A45458BA591255BB3367E|url-status=usurped}} Jones and his father did not get to know each other until the 1950s, when they reconciled. He said in interviews that his parents were both of mixed African-American, Irish, and Native American ancestry.{{Cite journal|last=Levesque|first=Carl|title=Unconventional wisdom: James Earl Jones speaks out|journal=Association Management|publisher=The Gale Group|url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Unconventional+wisdom:+James+Earl+Jones+speaks+out-a090192786|date=August 1, 2002|access-date=November 18, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171118033423/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Unconventional+wisdom:+James+Earl+Jones+speaks+out-a090192786|archive-date=November 18, 2017}}{{Cite news|first=Dorothy|last=Davis|title=Speaking with James Earl Jones|url=https://www.educationupdate.com/archives/2005/february/html/Black-Jones.html|work=Education Update|date=February 2005|access-date=February 20, 2008|archive-date= October 20, 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171020195008/https://www.educationupdate.com/archives/2005/february/html/Black-Jones.html|url-status=live}}

From the age of five, Jones was raised by his maternal grandparents, John Henry and Maggie Connolly, on their farm in Dublin, Michigan; they had moved from Mississippi in the Great Migration.{{cite web|title=James Earl Jones Biography and Interview – Academy of Achievement|url=https://www.achievement.org/achiever/james-earl-jones/#interview|website=www.achievement.org|publisher=American Academy of Achievement|access-date=April 3, 2019|archive-date=June 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626230243/https://www.achievement.org/achiever/james-earl-jones/#interview|url-status=live}} Jones found the transition to living with his grandparents in Michigan traumatic and developed a stutter so severe that he refused to speak. He said, "I was a stutterer. I couldn't talk. So my first year of school was my first mute year, and then those mute years continued until I got to high school." He credited his English teacher, Donald Crouch, who discovered he had a gift for writing poetry, with helping him end his silence. Crouch urged him to challenge his reluctance to speak through reading poetry aloud to the class.{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/arts-ents/stage-visual-arts/the-daddy-of-them-all-1.1007614|title=The daddy of them all|first=Andrew|last=Davies-Cole|publisher=Herald Scotland|date=February 18, 2010|access-date=November 5, 2011|archive-date=August 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811003027/https://www.heraldscotland.com/arts-ents/stage-visual-arts/the-daddy-of-them-all-1.1007614|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Wilkerson|first=Isabel|title=The Long-Lasting Legacy of the Great Migration|url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/long-lasting-legacy-great-migration-180960118/|access-date=March 10, 2021|website=Smithsonian Magazine|language=en|archive-date=February 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215000512/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/long-lasting-legacy-great-migration-180960118/|url-status=live}}

In 1949, Jones graduated from Dickson Rural Agricultural School{{cite book|last1=Jones|first1=James Earl|last2=Niven|first2=Penelope|title=Voices and Silences: With a New Epilogue|year=2002|page=68|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|isbn=9780879109691|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0eNP3HFLqfQC&pg=PA68|access-date=April 5, 2023|archive-date=April 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405231705/https://books.google.com/books?id=0eNP3HFLqfQC&pg=PA68|url-status=live}} (now Brethren High School) in Brethren, Michigan, where he served as vice president of his class.{{cite web|url=https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/james-earl-jones|title=James Earl Jones|author=|website=The History Makers|publisher=thehistorymakers.org|access-date=August 8, 2022|archive-date=February 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203022958/https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/james-earl-jones|url-status=live}}

He attended the University of Michigan where he was initially a pre-med major. He joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps and excelled. He felt comfortable within the structure of the military environment and enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow cadets in the Pershing Rifles Drill Team and Scabbard and Blade Honor Society.Ensian (Yearbook of the University of Michigan), p. 156 (1952). After his junior year, he focused on drama with the thought of doing something he enjoyed before, he assumed, he would have to go off to fight in the Korean War. Jones graduated from the university in 1955 with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in drama.{{cite web|url=https://vpcomm.umich.edu/aboutum/home/famousalumni.php|title=Notable Alumni|publisher=University of Michigan|access-date=February 27, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226204118/https://vpcomm.umich.edu/aboutum/home/famousalumni.php|archive-date=February 26, 2012}}{{Cite web|title=James Earl Jones {{!}} Biography, Plays, & Movies {{!}} Britannica|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-Earl-Jones|access-date=February 2, 2023|website=www.britannica.com|language=en|archive-date=February 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203022959/https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-Earl-Jones|url-status=live}}

With the Korean War intensifying, Jones expected to receive orders to active duty and be deployed as soon as he received his commission as a second lieutenant. While he waited for his orders, he worked on the stage crew and acted at the Ramsdell Theatre in Manistee, Michigan.{{cite book|last1=Jones|first1=James Earl|last2=Niven|first2=Penelope|title=Voices and Silences: With a New Epilogue|orig-date=2002|date=2006|publisher=Limelight Editions|page=82|isbn=9780879109691|edition=2nd|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0eNP3HFLqfQC&pg=PA82|access-date=April 6, 2023|archive-date=March 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304224634/https://books.google.com/books?id=0eNP3HFLqfQC&pg=PA82|url-status=live}} Jones was commissioned in mid-1953, after the Korean War's end, and reported to Fort Benning to attend the Infantry Officers Basic Course. He attended Ranger School and received his Ranger Tab. Jones was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 38th Regimental Combat Team.{{cite news |last1=Vergun |first1=David |title=Famed Actor Who Voiced 'Star Wars' Darth Vader Is Army Vet |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/Article/2854021/famed-actor-who-voiced-star-wars-darth-vader-is-army-vet/ |access-date=September 10, 2024 |work=DOD News, U.S. Department of Defense |date=December 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208133820/https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/2854021/famed-actor-who-voiced-star-wars-darth-vader-is-army-vet/ |archive-date=December 8, 2021 |url-status=live }} He was initially to report to Fort Leonard Wood, but his unit was instead sent to establish a cold-weather training command at the former Camp Hale near Leadville, Colorado.{{Cite web|url=https://army.togetherweserved.com/army/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=AssignmentExt&ID=633280|title=Shadow box|access-date=January 26, 2021|archive-date=February 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203091739/https://army.togetherweserved.com/army/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=AssignmentExt&ID=633280|url-status=live}} His battalion became a training unit in the rugged terrain of the Rocky Mountains. Jones was promoted to first lieutenant prior to his discharge.{{cite web|title=Soldiers to Celebrities: James Earl Jones – U.S. Army|url=https://www.hiredguns.biz/profiles/jamesearljones.htm|work=Hollywood Hired Guns|publisher=Hired Guns Productions|date=January 20, 2008|access-date=February 20, 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081227164746/https://www.hiredguns.biz/profiles/jamesearljones.htm|archive-date= December 27, 2008}}

Jones moved to New York City, where he studied at the American Theatre Wing and worked as a janitor to support himself.{{Cite web|url= https://americantheatrewing.org/legends/james-earl-jones/|title= About James Earl Jones|website= americantheatrewing.org|access-date= September 26, 2022|archive-date= August 1, 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200801225150/https://americantheatrewing.org/legends/james-earl-jones/|url-status= live}}{{cite news|url= https://www.npr.org/2014/11/09/362328749/james-earl-jones-from-stutterer-to-janitor-to-broadway-star|title= James Earl Jones: From Stutterer To Janitor To Broadway Star|website= NPR|access-date= September 26, 2022|archive-date= February 3, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230203023000/https://www.npr.org/2014/11/09/362328749/james-earl-jones-from-stutterer-to-janitor-to-broadway-star|url-status= live}}

{{external media|width = 210px|float = right|audio1 = [https://studsterkel.wfmt.com/programs/james-earl-jones-discusses-play-othello James Earl Jones talks with Studs Terkel on WFMT; 1968/02], 49:25, Studs Terkel Radio Archive{{cite web|title =James Earl Jones talks with Studs Terkel on WFMT; 1968/02|publisher =Studs Terkel Radio Archive|url =https://studsterkel.wfmt.com/programs/james-earl-jones-discusses-play-othello|date =February 1, 1968|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20200925125803/https://studsterkel.wfmt.com/programs/james-earl-jones-discusses-play-othello|archive-date =September 25, 2020|url-status=live|df =mdy-all}}}}

Jones began his acting career at the Ramsdell Theatre in Manistee, Michigan. In 1953, he was a stage carpenter, and between 1955 and 1957, he acted and was a stage manager. In his first acting season at the Ramsdell, he portrayed Othello.{{cite web|url=https://www.ramsdell-theater.org/pages/history.asp?content=2|title=Ramsdell Theatre History|publisher=Ramsdell-theater.org|access-date=March 1, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090104014900/https://www.ramsdell-theater.org/pages/history.asp?content=2|archive-date=January 4, 2009}} His early career also included an appearance in the ABC radio anthology series Theatre-Five.{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/OTRR_Theater_Five_Singles|title=Theater Five – Single Episodes|work=Internet Archive|date=January 15, 2007}} In 1957, he made his Broadway debut as understudy to Lloyd Richards in the short-lived play, The Egghead, by Molly Kazan.{{Cite web|title=James Earl Jones – Broadway Cast & Staff {{!}} IBDB|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/james-earl-jones-47173|access-date=April 2, 2021|website=IBDB|archive-date=April 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429032447/https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/james-earl-jones-47173|url-status=live}} The play ran only 21 performances,{{Cite web|last=League|first=The Broadway|title=The Egghead – Broadway Play – Original {{!}} IBDB|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/the-egghead-2644|access-date=April 2, 2021|website=IBDB|language=en|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126035620/https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/the-egghead-2644|url-status=live}} but three months later, in January 1958, Jones created the featured role of Edward the butler in Dore Schary's Sunrise at Campobello at the Cort Theatre.{{Cite web|last=League|first=The Broadway|title=Sunrise at Campobello – Broadway Play – Original {{!}} IBDB|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/sunrise-at-campobello-2670|access-date=April 2, 2021|website=IBDB|language=en|archive-date=April 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427035928/https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/sunrise-at-campobello-2670|url-status=live}}

File:James Earl Jones Performs Shakespeare at the White House Poetry Jam- (3 of 8).webm's Act I, scene III monolog from Shakespeare's Othello at the White House Evening of Poetry, Music, and the Spoken Word on May 12, 2009]]

During the early to mid 1960s, Jones acted in various works of William Shakespeare, becoming one of the best known Shakespearean actors of the time. He tackled roles such as Othello and King Lear, Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Abhorson in Measure for Measure, and Claudius in Hamlet all at Shakespeare in the Park. In 1961, Jones appeared in an Off-Broadway production of The Blacks by Jean Genet, alongside eight subsequently prominent Black actors, including Roscoe Lee Browne, Cicely Tyson, Lou Gossett and others.{{cite journal

| last = Hill | first = Errol

| authorlink = Errol Hill

| date = December 1986

| url = https://www.jstor.org/stable/3208284

| access-date = 10 September 2024

| url-access = registration

| title = The Revolutionary Tradition in Black Drama

| journal = Theatre Journal

| volume = 38 | issue = 4 | page = 425

| doi = 10.2307/3208284

| jstor = 3208284

}} The New York Public Library has a collection of photographs of this production, including one of Tyson and Jones.{{cite web | url=https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/dc62d220-4299-0137-827c-635061b4b77e | title= (still image) Actors Cicely Tyson and James Earl Jones in a scene from the Off-Broadway production of the play "The Blacks.", (1961)|author=Digital Collections, The New York Public Library |accessdate=September 12, 2024 |publisher=The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox, and Tilden Foundations}} During a production of The Merchant of Venice at Shakespeare in the Park, Stanley Kubrick saw George C. Scott play Shylock and Jones portray the Prince of Morocco. Kubrick was there initially to cast Scott in Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964), but then considered Jones saying "I'll take the black one too". Jones portrayed young Lt. Lothar Zogg, the B-52 bombardier in the film, this would be his feature film debut.{{cite web|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc9U8tDjZXk|title= James Earl Jones Was Cast As 'The Black One' By Stanley Kubrick|website= Variety|date= August 2, 2019|accessdate= September 14, 2024}}{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2024/film/news/james-earl-jones-dead-darth-vader-lion-king-1236138656/|title= James Earl Jones, Distinguished Actor and Voice of Darth Vader, Dies at 93|website= Variety|date= September 9, 2024|accessdate= September 14, 2024}}

Jones would later play a surgeon and Haitian rebel leader in The Comedians, with Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, and Alec Guinness. In December 1967, Jones starred with Jane Alexander in Howard Sackler's play, The Great White Hope, at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. Jones took the role of the talented but troubled boxer "Jack Jefferson", who is based on the real champion Jack Johnson. The play was a huge success when it moved to Broadway on October 3, 1968 and was well received, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Jones himself won the 1969 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play, and the Drama Desk Award for his performance.{{cite web|title=The Great White Hope|url=https://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=3417|publisher=Internet Broadway Database|access-date=July 10, 2009|archive-date=March 6, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090306214701/https://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=3417|url-status=live}}

In 1969, Jones participated in making test films for the children's education series Sesame Street; these shorts, combined with animated segments, were shown to groups of children to gauge the effectiveness of the then-groundbreaking Sesame Street format. As cited by production notes included in the DVD release Sesame Street: Old School 1969–1974, the short that had the greatest impact with test audiences was one showing bald-headed Jones counting slowly to ten. This and other segments featuring Jones were eventually aired as part of the Sesame Street series itself when it debuted later in 1969 and Jones is often cited as the first celebrity guest on that series, although a segment with Carol Burnett was the first actually to be broadcast. He also appeared on the soap opera Guiding Light.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/james-earl-jones-dies-age-93-actor-darth-vader/|title=James Earl Jones, Tony-winning actor and voice of Darth Vader, dies at age 93|work=CBS|date=September 9, 2024|first=David|last=Morgan|access-date=September 9, 2024|archive-date=September 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910024016/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/james-earl-jones-dies-age-93-actor-darth-vader/|url-status=live}}

File:JonesClayburghOthello1971.jpg in a stage production of Othello at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles, California, on April 9, 1971]]

In 1970, Jones reunited with Jane Alexander in the film adaptation of The Great White Hope. This would be Jones's first leading film role. Jones portrayed boxer Jack Johnson, a role he had previously originated on stage. His performance was acclaimed by critics and earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. He was the second African-American male performer after Sidney Poitier to be nominated for this award. Variety described his performance declaring, "Jones' recreation of his stage role is an eye-riveting experience. The towering rages and unrestrained joys of which his character was capable are portrayed larger than life."{{cite web|url= https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/great_white_hope|title= The Great White Hope|website= Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=March 6, 2022|archive-date= February 3, 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230203023002/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/great_white_hope|url-status= live}} In {{sortname|The|Man|The Man (1972 film)}} (1972), Jones starred as a senator who unexpectedly becomes the first African-American president of the United States.

In 1973, Jones played Hickey on Broadway at the Circle in the Square Theatre in a revival of Eugene O'Neill's The Iceman Cometh{{cite web|url=https://playbill.com/production/the-iceman-cometh-circle-in-the-square-theatre-vault-0000003302|title=The Iceman Cometh (Broadway, Circle in the Square Theatre, 1973)|work=Playbill|access-date=September 9, 2024|archive-date=September 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912072204/https://playbill.com/production/the-iceman-cometh-circle-in-the-square-theatre-vault-0000003302|url-status=live}} and starred in the title role of William Shakespeare's King Lear opposite Paul Sorvino, René Auberjonois, and Raul Julia at the New York City Shakespeare Festival in Central Park, which was recorded and broadcast in the PBS Great Performances series the following year.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/08/02/archives/james-earl-jones-meets-the-challenge-of-king-lear.html|title=James Earl Jones Meets the Challenge of King Lear|work=The New York Times|date=August 2, 1973|access-date=September 9, 2024|first=Mel|last=Gussow|archive-date=December 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212115944/https://www.nytimes.com/1973/08/02/archives/james-earl-jones-meets-the-challenge-of-king-lear.html|url-status=live}} In 1974, Jones played Lennie on Broadway in the 1974 Brooks Atkinson Theatre production of the adaptation of John Steinbeck's novella, Of Mice and Men, with Kevin Conway as George and Pamela Blair as Curley's wife.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/12/19/archives/theater-of-mice-and-men-returns-to-broadway-james-earl-jones-plays.html|title=Theater: 'Of Mice and Men' Returns to Broadway|work=The New York Times|date=December 19, 1974|access-date=September 9, 2024|first=Clive|last=Barnes}}

In 1974, Jones co-starred with Diahann Carroll in the film Claudine,{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/james-earl-jones-dead-darth-vader-1235996060/|title=James Earl Jones, Authoritative Actor and Voice of Darth Vader, Dies at 93|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=September 9, 2024|first1=Jacqueline|last1=Mansky|first2=Mike|last2=Barnes|access-date=September 9, 2024|archive-date=September 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910002653/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/james-earl-jones-dead-darth-vader-1235996060/|url-status=live}} the story of a woman who raises her six children alone after two failed and two "almost" marriages. The film is a romantic comedy and drama, focusing on systemic racial disparities black families face. It was one of the first major films to tackle themes such as welfare, economic inequality, and the typical marriage of men and women in the African American community during the 1970s. Jones and Carroll received widespread critical acclaim and Golden Globe nominations for their performances.{{cite web|url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/film/claudine |title=Claudine – Golden Globes |website=HFPA |access-date=September 9, 2024 |ref={{harvid|HFPA|1975}}}} Carroll was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1975 |title=The 47th Academy Awards (1975) Nominees and Winners |access-date=September 9, 2024 |work=oscars.org |date=October 6, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402004005/https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1975 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 }}

In 1977, Jones played Balthazar in the television series Jesus of Nazareth. That same year, he made his debut in his iconic voiceover role as Darth Vader in George Lucas's space opera blockbuster film Star Wars: A New Hope, which he would reprise for the sequels The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983). Darth Vader was portrayed in costume by David Prowse in the film trilogy, with Jones dubbing Vader's dialogue in post-production because Prowse's strong West Country accent was deemed unsuitable for the role by director George Lucas.{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4690148.stm|title=The Green force|work=BBC News|date=February 14, 2006|access-date=March 1, 2011|archive-date=May 12, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090512132824/https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4690148.stm|url-status=live}} At his own request, Jones was uncredited for the release of the first two Star Wars films, though he would be credited for the third film and eventually also for the first film's 1997 "Special Edition" re-release.{{cite news|url= https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/1997-02-06/film/isn-t-that-spacial/full/|work=Phoenix New Times|location=Phoenix, Arizona|title=Isn't That Spacial? Back to the future with 'Star Wars: The Special Edition'|first=Michael|last=Sragow|date= February 6, 1997|access-date= January 31, 2015|archive-date=January 31, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150131011336/https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/1997-02-06/film/isn-t-that-spacial/full/|url-status=live}} As he explained in a 2008 interview:

{{blockquote|When Linda Blair did the girl in The Exorcist, they hired Mercedes McCambridge to do the voice of the devil coming out of her. And there was controversy as to whether Mercedes should get credit. I was one who thought no, she was just special effects. So when it came to Darth Vader, I said, no, I'm just special effects. But it became so identified that by the third one, I thought, OK I'll let them put my name on it.{{cite web|url = https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/fanfare/fast-chat-james-earl-jones-1.883740|title= Fast Chat: James Earl Jones|work=Newsday|location=New York City|date=March 12, 2008|author-link = Frank Lovece|first= Frank|last= Lovece|access-date=March 1, 2011|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091204034334/https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/fanfare/fast-chat-james-earl-jones-1.883740|archive-date = December 4, 2009|url-status=live}}}}

In 1977, Jones also received a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Great American Documents.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/obituaries/james-earl-jones-dead-93-rcna42405|first= Ethan|last= Sacks|title=James Earl Jones, legendary actor known for unmistakable baritone voice, dies at 93|work=NBC News|date=September 9, 2024}} In late 1979, Jones appeared on the short-lived CBS police drama Paris.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/gallery/2024/sep/09/james-earl-jones|title=James Earl Jones: a life in pictures|work=The Guardian|date=September 9, 2024|first=Greg|last=Whitmore|access-date=September 10, 2024|archive-date=September 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910024021/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/gallery/2024/sep/09/james-earl-jones|url-status=live}} Jones also starred that year in the critically acclaimed TV mini-series sequel Roots: The Next Generations as the older version of author Alex Haley.

In 1987, Jones starred in August Wilson's play Fences as Troy Maxson, a middle aged working class father who struggles to provide for his family. The play, set in the 1950s, is part of Wilson's ten-part "Pittsburgh Cycle". The play explores the evolving African-American experience and examines race relations, among other themes. Jones won widespread critical acclaim, earning himself his second Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play. Beside the Star Wars sequels, Jones was featured in several other box office hits of the 1980s: the action/fantasy film Conan the Barbarian (1982), the Eddie Murphy comedy Coming to America (1988), and the sports drama/fantasy Field of Dreams (1989) which earned an Academy Award for Best Picture nomination.{{cite web|url=https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1990 |title=The 62nd Academy Awards (1990) Nominees and Winners |access-date=September 9, 2024 |publisher=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706095721/https://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/legacy/ceremony/62nd-winners.html |archive-date=July 6, 2011}} He also starred in the independent film Matewan (1987), which dramatized the events of the Battle of Matewan, a coal miners' strike in 1920 in Matewan, a small town in the hills of West Virginia. He received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for his performance.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/gallery/james-earl-jones-career-photos/matawan-james-earl-jones/|title=James Earl Jones: His Career in Pictures|work=Variety|date=September 9, 2024|first1=J. Kim|last1=Murphy|first2=Jordan|last2=Moreau|access-date=September 10, 2024|archive-date=September 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910002805/https://variety.com/gallery/james-earl-jones-career-photos/matawan-james-earl-jones/|url-status=live}}

File:President George H. W. Bush and Mrs. Barbara Bush present the Medal of Arts to James Earl Jones.jpg and First Lady Barbara Bush in 1992, receiving the Medal of Arts]]

In 1985, Jones lent his bass voice as Pharaoh in the first episode of Hanna-Barbera's The Greatest Adventure: Stories from the Bible.{{cite web |last=McKeown |first=Jonah |date=September 9, 2024 |title=James Earl Jones, legendary actor and Catholic convert, dies at 93 |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/259197/james-earl-jones-legendary-actor-and-catholic-convert-dies-at-93 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910002822/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/259197/james-earl-jones-legendary-actor-and-catholic-convert-dies-at-93 |archive-date=September 10, 2024 |access-date=September 9, 2024 |work=Catholic News Agency |language=en-US}} From 1989 to 1992, Jones served as the host of the children's TV series Long Ago and Far Away.{{cite web|url=https://foxync.com/5690492/is-james-earl-jones-dead/|title=James Earl Jones, EGOT Winner and Hollywood Icon, Passes Away At 93|work=Foxy 107.1|date=September 9, 2024 |access-date=September 9, 2024}} Jones appeared in several more successful films during the early-to-mid-1990s, including The Hunt for Red October (1990), Patriot Games (1992), The Sandlot (1993), Clear and Present Danger (1994), and Cry, the Beloved Country (1995). He also lent his distinctive bass voice to the role of Mufasa in the 1994 Disney animated film The Lion King. In 1992, Jones was presented with the National Medal of the Arts by President George H. W. Bush. Jones had the distinction of winning two Primetime Emmys in the same year, in 1991 as Best Actor for his role in Gabriel's Fire and as Best Supporting Actor for his work in Heat Wave.{{Cite web |last=Marx |first=Rebecca Flint |title=James Earl Jones Biography |url=https://www.allmovie.com/artist/james-earl-jones-36131/bio |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806143237/https://www.allmovie.com/artist/james-earl-jones-p36131 |archive-date=August 6, 2021 |access-date=April 12, 2011 |publisher=All Movie Guide}}

Jones also performed voice work for The Simpsons: in the 1990 "Treehouse of Horror" Halloween special and in two other episodes.

Jones played lead characters on television in three series. Gabriel's Fire and a revamped version called Pros and Cons aired on ABC between 1990 and 1992. In both formats of that show, Jones played a former policeman wrongly convicted of murder who, upon his release from prison, becomes a private eye. In 1995, Jones starred in Under One Roof as Neb Langston, a widowed African-American police officer sharing his home in Seattle with his daughter, his married son and children, and Neb's newly adopted son.{{Cite news |last=O'Connor |first=John J. |date=April 11, 1995 |title=Television Review; New Black Series Is Hanging On |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/11/arts/television-review-new-black-series-is-hanging-on.html |work=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |access-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-date=September 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914173223/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/11/arts/television-review-new-black-series-is-hanging-on.html |url-status=live }} The show was a mid-season replacement and lasted only six weeks, but earned him another Emmy nomination. He also portrayed Thad Green on "Mathnet", a parody of Dragnet that appeared in the PBS program Square One Television.{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/james-earl-jones-dies-remembering-legacy-1235098257/|title=James Earl Jones Was So Much More Than His Golden Voice|publisher=The Rolling Stone|access-date=September 10, 2024|date=September 9, 2024}} In 1998, Jones starred in the widely acclaimed syndicated program An American Moment (created by James R. Kirk and Ninth Wave Productions). Jones took over the role filled by Charles Kuralt, upon Kuralt's death.{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2024/09/james-earl-jones-dead/|title=James Earl Jones, Voice of Darth Vader, Dead at 93|work=Consequence of Film|first=Carys|last=Anderson|date=September 9, 2024}}

On July 13, 1993, accompanied by the Morgan State University choir, Jones spoke the U.S. national anthem before the 1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Baltimore.{{cite web|title=James Earl Jones Recites National Anthem at the 1993 All Star game|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaA4ll4CoZw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/RaA4ll4CoZw|archive-date=December 21, 2021|url-status=live|website=You Tube| date=July 2, 2013 |publisher=Major League Baseball|access-date=February 18, 2019}}{{cbignore}}{{cite book|last1=Luke|first1=Bob|title=Integrating the Orioles: Baseball and Race in Baltimore|date=January 14, 2016|publisher=McFarland and Company |location=Jefferson, North Carolina|isbn=978-1-4766-6212-1}} In 1996, he recited the classic baseball poem "Casey at the Bat" with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra,{{cite web|url = https://mynorthwest.com/374/2288021/Audio-treasure-Dave-Niehaus-reads-Casey-at-the-Bat|title=Audio treasure: Dave Niehaus reads 'Casey at the Bat'|date=June 3, 2013|first= Shannon|last=Drayer|publisher=KTTH / 710 ESPN Seattle|access-date=January 31, 2015|quote=James Earl Jones more than did the piece justice in a recording with the Cincinnati Pops in 1996...|archive-date= September 20, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140920102015/https://mynorthwest.com/374/2288021/Audio-treasure-Dave-Niehaus-reads-Casey-at-the-Bat|url-status=live}} and on June 1, 2007, he did the same before a Philadelphia Phillies home game.{{cite news|url= https://townhall.com/photos/2007/06/01/actor_james_earl_jones_smiles_before_reading_mighty_casey_at_the_bat_before_the_start_of_the_san_francisco_giants_versus_the_philadelphia_phillies_mlb_national_league_baseball_game_in_philadelphia|title=Actor James Earl Jones smiles before reading...|agency= Reuters|publisher= Townhall.com|access-date= January 31, 2015|archive-date= January 31, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150131013455/https://townhall.com/photos/2007/06/01/actor_james_earl_jones_smiles_before_reading_mighty_casey_at_the_bat_before_the_start_of_the_san_francisco_giants_versus_the_philadelphia_phillies_mlb_national_league_baseball_game_in_philadelphia|url-status=live}} In 1994, he performed the role of "Ebenezer Scrooge" alongside Martin Sheen and Robert MacNeil in a public reading of A Christmas Carol at the Pierpont Morgan Library in New York City, which was broadcast on PBS.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/18/arts/dickens-unplugged-christmas-carol-on-pbs.html |title=Dickens Unplugged: 'Christmas Carol' on PBS |website=The New York Times |access-date=27 November 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-12-24-ca-12478-story.html |title=TV Review: 'Humbug!' a Master Class in Vocal Reading |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=27 November 2024}}

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| video1 =[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaA4ll4CoZw] Jones reciting the National Anthem at the 1993 MLB All Star Game

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Jones guest-starred in many television shows over the years, including for NBC's Law & Order, and Frasier, ABC's Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Fox's medical drama House, and CBS' The Big Bang Theory and Two and a Half Men.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/09/james-earl-jones-dead-1236082801/|title=James Earl Jones Dies: Revered 'Field Of Dreams' Star, Darth Vader Voice & Broadway Regular Was 93|work=Deadline|date=September 9, 2024|first=Erik|last=Pederson|access-date=September 10, 2024|archive-date=September 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910053151/https://deadline.com/2024/09/james-earl-jones-dead-1236082801/|url-status=live}}

In 2002, Jones received Kennedy Center Honors at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Also at the ceremony were fellow honorees Paul Simon, Elizabeth Taylor, and Chita Rivera. President George W. Bush joked, "People say that the voice of the president is the most easily recognized voice in America. Well, I'm not going to make that claim in the presence of James Earl Jones."{{cite web|url= https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2002-12-27-0212270498-story.html|title= Kennedy Center Toasts Paul Simon, Liz Taylor, James Earl Jones|website= Hartford Courant.com|date= December 27, 2002|access-date= July 17, 2020|archive-date= September 20, 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200920213148/https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2002-12-27-0212270498-story.html|url-status= live}} Those there to honor Jones included Sidney Poitier, Kelsey Grammer, Charles S. Dutton, and Courtney B. Vance.{{cite news |last1=Boedeker |first1=Hal |title=Awards Show Airs Tonight |url=https://greensboro.com/awards-show-airs-toanight/article_0ccd520c-ddff-5050-900e-884bb2881e7e.html |work=Greensboro News and Record |agency=Knight Ridder News |date=December 26, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910014413/https://greensboro.com/awards-show-airs-tonight/article_0ccd520c-ddff-5050-900e-884bb2881e7e.html |archive-date=September 10, 2024 |access-date=September 10, 2024 |url-status=live }}

He also voiced the CNN tagline, "This is CNN", as a part of the network's tenth anniversary in 1990. As of 2024, the tagline is still used by CNN.{{cite magazine |last=Schmidt |first=Mackenzie |title=James Earl Jones' Voice |url=https://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,2042825,00.html |access-date=September 16, 2024 |magazine=Time |date=January 17, 2011}}{{cite news |last=Ho |first=Rodney |title=He was the voice of Darth Vader, but James Earl Jones' longest gig was at CNN |url=https://www.ajc.com/things-to-do/georgia-entertainment-scene/he-was-the-voice-of-darth-vader-but-james-earl-jones-longest-gig-was-at-cnn/JMJHSRFIUZAPXKZOGO3EYX5GJ4/ |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240916133620/https://www.ajc.com/things-to-do/georgia-entertainment-scene/he-was-the-voice-of-darth-vader-but-james-earl-jones-longest-gig-was-at-cnn/JMJHSRFIUZAPXKZOGO3EYX5GJ4/ |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |language=English |quote=James Earl Jones, who died Sept. 9, was commissioned to say "This... is CNN" in 1990 and 34 years later, the network is still using him.}} He lent his voice to the opening for NBC's coverage of the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympics. Jones narrated all 27 books of the New Testament in the audiobook James Earl Jones Reads the New Testament.{{cite web|url=https://www.topics-ent.com/audio/devotional/new-testament-bible-download.html|title=James Earl Jones Reads The New Testament – Digital Edition|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627082638/https://www.topics-ent.com/audio/devotional/new-testament-bible-download.html|archive-date=June 27, 2014}} Although uncredited, Jones's voice is possibly heard as Darth Vader at the conclusion of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005). When specifically asked whether he had supplied the voice, possibly from a previous recording, Jones told Newsday: "You'd have to ask Lucas about that. I don't know."

On April 7, 2005, Jones and Leslie Uggams headed the cast in an African-American Broadway revival version of On Golden Pond, directed by Leonard Foglia and produced by Jeffrey Finn. In February 2008, he starred on Broadway as Big Daddy in a limited-run, all-African-American production of Tennessee Williams' Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, directed by Debbie Allen and staged at the Broadhurst Theatre. In November 2009, James reprised the role of Big Daddy in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof at the Novello Theatre in London's West End. That production also starred Sanaa Lathan as Maggie, Phylicia Rashad as Big Mamma, and Adrian Lester as Brick.

In 2009, for his work on film and television, Jones was presented with the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award by Forest Whitaker.{{cite web|title=James Earl Jones Honored with 2008 SAG Life Achievement Award|url=https://www.sagaftra.org/james-earl-jones-honored-2008-screen-actors-guild-life-achievement-award|website=SAG-AFTRA|access-date=September 9, 2024|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20180209030016/https://www.sagaftra.org/press-releases/october-02-2008/james-earl-jones-honored-with-2008-screen-actors-guild-life-achieveme|archivedate=February 9, 2018|date=October 2, 2008|url-status=live}}

File:Driving Miss Daisy (8520308801).jpg at the Theatre Royal in Sydney]]

In October 2010, Jones returned to the Broadway stage in Alfred Uhry's Driving Miss Daisy, along with Vanessa Redgrave at the Golden Theatre.{{cite web|url=https://www.playbill.com/news/article/140813-James-Earl-Jones-and-Vanessa-Redgrave-to-Star-in-Broadways-Driving-Miss-Daisy|title=James Earl Jones and Vanessa Redgrave to Star in Broadway's Driving Miss Daisy|work=Playbill|access-date=March 1, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100803153224/https://www.playbill.com/news/article/140813-James-Earl-Jones-and-Vanessa-Redgrave-to-Star-in-Broadways-Driving-Miss-Daisy|archive-date=August 3, 2010}} In November 2011, Jones starred in Driving Miss Daisy in London's West End, and on November 12 received an honorary Oscar in front of the audience at the Wyndham's Theatre, which was presented to him by Ben Kingsley.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15711859 "Actor James Earl Jones receives Oscar in London"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127233834/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15711859 |date=January 27, 2019 }}, BBC News. Retrieved November 13, 2011. In March 2012, Jones played the role of President Art Hockstader in Gore Vidal's The Best Man on Broadway at the Schoenfeld Theatre: he was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play. The play also starred Angela Lansbury, John Larroquette (as candidate William Russell), Candice Bergen, Eric McCormack (as candidate Senator Joseph Cantwell), Jefferson Mays, Michael McKean, and Kerry Butler, with direction by Michael Wilson.[https://ibdb.com/production.php?id=491515 "Gore Vidal's The Best Man"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117032241/https://ibdb.com/production.php?id=491515 |date=January 17, 2013 }} at IBDB.{{cite magazine|first1=Andrew|last1=Gans|first2=Kenneth|last2=Jones|url=https://www.playbill.com/news/article/166060-The-Best-Man-Tony-Nominee-as-Best-Revival-of-a-Play-Extends-Booking-a-Second-Time|title='The Best Man', Tony Nominee as Best Revival of a Play, Extends Booking a Second Time|magazine=Playbill|publisher=Playbill, Inc.|location=London, England|date=May 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904153417/https://www.playbill.com/news/article/166060-The-Best-Man-Tony-Nominee-as-Best-Revival-of-a-Play-Extends-Booking-a-Second-Time|archive-date=September 4, 2012}}

File:James Earl, Angela Lansbury (8356224350).jpg in 2013]]

In 2013, Jones starred opposite Vanessa Redgrave in a production of Much Ado About Nothing directed by Mark Rylance at The Old Vic, London.{{cite news|url=https://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2012/dec/04/vanessa-redgrave-james-earl-jones-much-ado|location=London, England|work=The Guardian|first=Matt|last=Trueman|title=Vanessa Redgrave and James Earl Jones to reunite for Old Vic's Much Ado|date=December 4, 2012|access-date=July 10, 2013|archive-date=January 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126084229/https://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2012/dec/04/vanessa-redgrave-james-earl-jones-much-ado|url-status=live}} From February to June 2013, Jones starred alongside Dame Angela Lansbury in an Australian tour of Driving Miss Daisy.{{cite web|first=Andrew|last=Gans|title=Driving Miss Daisy Will Ride Into Australia with James Earl Jones and Angela Lansbury|website=Playbill|date=July 31, 2012|url=https://www.playbill.com/news/article/driving-miss-daisy-will-ride-into-australia-with-james-earl-jones-and-angel-196205|access-date=January 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105033459/https://www.playbill.com/news/article/168601-Driving-Miss-Daisy-Will-Ride-Into-Australia-with-James-Earl-Jones-and-Angela-Lansbury|archive-date=November 5, 2013}} In 2014, Jones starred alongside Annaleigh Ashford as Grandpa in the Broadway revival of the George S. Kaufman comedic play You Can't Take It with You at the Longacre Theatre on Broadway. Ashford received a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play nomination for her performance. On September 23, 2015, Jones opened in a new revival of The Gin Game opposite Cicely Tyson, at the John Golden Theater, where the play had originally premiered (with Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy). The play had a planned limited run of 16 weeks.{{cite web|url=https://www.newyorkcitytheatre.com/theaters/johngoldentheater/the-gin-game.php|title=The Gin Game at John Golden Theater|work=New York City Theater|access-date=September 4, 2015|archive-date=September 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905053623/https://www.newyorkcitytheatre.com/theaters/johngoldentheater/the-gin-game.php|url-status=live}} It closed on January 10, 2016.

In 2013–2014, he appeared with Malcolm McDowell in a series of commercials for Sprint in which the two dramatically recited mundane phone and text-message conversations.Tim Nudd, [https://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/inside-james-earl-jones-and-malcolm-mcdowells-dramatic-readings-sprint-154554 "Inside James Earl Jones and Malcolm McDowell's Dramatic Readings for Sprint"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101062826/https://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/inside-james-earl-jones-and-malcolm-mcdowells-dramatic-readings-sprint-154554 |date=January 1, 2014 }}, AdWeek, December 16, 2013.{{cite web|url=https://www.popisms.com/TelevisionCommercial/85770/Sprint-Commercial-2013-2014.aspx|title=Sprint Commercial (2013–2014)|work=popisms.com|access-date=January 9, 2014|archive-date=January 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109062836/https://www.popisms.com/TelevisionCommercial/85770/Sprint-Commercial-2013-2014.aspx|url-status=live}} In 2015, Jones starred as the Chief Justice Caleb Thorne in the American drama series Agent X with actress Sharon Stone, Jeff Hephner, Jamey Sheridan, and others. The television series was aired by TNT from November 8 to December 27, 2015, running only one season and 10 episodes. Jones officially reprised his voice role of Darth Vader for the character's appearances in the animated TV series Star Wars Rebels[https://www.starwars7news.com/2014/10/james-earl-jones-to-voice-darth-vader-in-star-wars-rebels.html "James Earl Jones to Voice Darth Vader in Star Wars: Rebels' Premiere on ABC!"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225180958/https://www.starwars7news.com/2014/10/james-earl-jones-to-voice-darth-vader-in-star-wars-rebels.html |date=February 25, 2015 }} Star Wars Episode VII News, October 9, 2014.[https://www.blastr.com/2015-4-20/official-star-wars-rebels-season-2-trailer-released-james-earl-jones-confirmed-darth-vader "James Earl Jones confirmed as Darth Vader"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150422191631/https://www.blastr.com/2015-4-20/official-star-wars-rebels-season-2-trailer-released-james-earl-jones-confirmed-darth-vader|date=April 22, 2015}} Blastr, April 21, 2015. and the live-action film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016),{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/06/23/rogue-ones-darth-vader-will-be-played-by-james-earl-jones-and-a-variety-of-large-framed-performers|title=Rogue One's Darth Vader Will Be Played by James Earl Jones and "A Variety of Large-Framed Performers"|first=Joe|last=Skrebels|date=June 23, 2016|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=August 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802075704/https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/06/23/rogue-ones-darth-vader-will-be-played-by-james-earl-jones-and-a-variety-of-large-framed-performers|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url= https://www.bustle.com/articles/200217-does-james-earl-jones-play-darth-vader-in-rogue-one-his-iconic-voice-is-crucial-to|title= James Earl Jones Is The One & Only Darth Vader|website= Bustle|date= December 15, 2016|access-date= December 9, 2020|archive-date= June 27, 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210627214253/https://www.bustle.com/articles/200217-does-james-earl-jones-play-darth-vader-in-rogue-one-his-iconic-voice-is-crucial-to|url-status= live}} as well as for a three-word cameo in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019).{{cite web|url= https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2487337/all-of-the-cameos-in-star-wars-rise-of-skywalker|title= All of the Cameos in Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker|website= Cinemablend|date= December 23, 2019|access-date= December 9, 2020|archive-date= November 27, 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201127005025/https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2487337/all-of-the-cameos-in-star-wars-rise-of-skywalker|url-status= live}}

In 2019, he reprised his voice role of Mufasa for the CGI remake of The Lion King, directed by Jon Favreau, in which he was the only original cast member to do so.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lion-king-live-action-movie-casts-donald-glover-as-simba-977488|title='Lion King' Remake Casts Donald Glover as Simba, James Earl Jones as Mufasa|work=The Hollywood Reporter|last=Couch|first=Aaron|date=February 17, 2017|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=February 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218014645/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lion-king-live-action-movie-casts-donald-glover-as-simba-977488|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url= https://ew.com/movies/2019/04/26/the-lion-king-james-earl-jones-mufasa/|title= The Lion King director recalls James Earl Jones' 'powerful' return as Mufasa|magazine= Entertainment Weekly|access-date= December 9, 2020|archive-date= April 26, 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190426233353/https://ew.com/movies/2019/04/26/the-lion-king-james-earl-jones-mufasa/|url-status= live}} According to Favreau, Jones's lines from the original film remained mostly the same.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftRPVHyELXo&t=19s|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/ftRPVHyELXo|archive-date=December 21, 2021|url-status=live|title=What To Expect From The Characters In The Upcoming 'The Lion King' Adaptation – Entertainment Weekly|magazine=Entertainment Weekly/YouTube|language=en|date=April 25, 2019|access-date=April 29, 2019}}{{cbignore}}{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/movies/2019/04/26/the-lion-king-james-earl-jones-mufasa/|title=The Lion King director recalls James Earl Jones' 'powerful' return as Mufasa|first=Marc|last=Snetiker|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=April 26, 2019|access-date=May 2, 2019|archive-date=April 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426233353/https://ew.com/movies/2019/04/26/the-lion-king-james-earl-jones-mufasa/|url-status=live}} Chiwetel Ejiofor, who voiced Mufasa's evil brother Scar in the remake, said that "the comfort of [Jones reprising his role] is going to be very rewarding in taking [the audience] on this journey again. It's a once-in-a-generation vocal quality." Jones also reprised the role of King Jaffe Joffer in Coming 2 America (2021), the sequel to Coming to America (1988); this was his final screen credit.{{cite news |title=James Earl Jones, Distinguished Actor and Voice of Darth Vader, Dies at 93 |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/james-earl-jones-dead-darth-vader-lion-king-1236138656/ |access-date=September 9, 2024 |work=Variety |date=September 9, 2024 |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909204519/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/james-earl-jones-dead-darth-vader-lion-king-1236138656/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url= https://deadline.com/2019/08/james-earl-jones-rick-ross-paul-bates-joining-coming-to-america-sequel-1202663755/|title= James Earl Jones & Paul Bates Returning For 'Coming To America' Sequel, Rick Ross Also Joining|website= Deadline Hollywood|date= August 7, 2019|access-date= July 17, 2020|archive-date= November 7, 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201107225721/https://deadline.com/2019/08/james-earl-jones-rick-ross-paul-bates-joining-coming-to-america-sequel-1202663755/|url-status= live}}

In 2022, his voice was used via Respeecher software for Darth Vader in the Disney+ miniseries Obi-Wan Kenobi.{{Cite web|last=Scott|first=Lyvie|date=June 1, 2022|title=Who Is Voicing Darth Vader In Obi-Wan Kenobi? It's Complicated|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/881530/who-is-voicing-darth-vader-in-obi-wan-kenobi-its-complicated/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604160827/https://www.slashfilm.com/881530/who-is-voicing-darth-vader-in-obi-wan-kenobi-its-complicated/|archive-date=June 4, 2022|access-date=June 4, 2022|website=/Film}} During production, Jones signed a deal with Lucasfilm authorizing archival recordings of his voice to be used in the future to artificially generate the voice of Darth Vader.{{Cite magazine|last=Breznican|first=Anthony|date=September 23, 2022|title=Darth Vader's Voice Emanated From War-Torn Ukraine|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/09/darth-vaders-voice-emanated-from-war-torn-ukraine|magazine=Vanity Fair|access-date=September 23, 2022|archive-date=September 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923130503/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/09/darth-vaders-voice-emanated-from-war-torn-ukraine|url-status=live}} In September 2022, Jones announced that he would retire from the role of voicing Darth Vader with future voice roles for Vader being created by that means.{{cite web|last1=Bell|first1=BreAnna|date=September 24, 2022|title=James Earl Jones Steps Back From Voicing Darth Vader, Signs Off on Using Archived Recordings to Recreate Voice With A.I.|url=https://variety.com/2022/artisans/news/james-earl-jones-darth-vader-retiring-star-wars-ai-1235382827/|website=Variety|access-date=September 26, 2022|archive-date=February 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203023002/https://variety.com/2022/artisans/news/james-earl-jones-darth-vader-retiring-star-wars-ai-1235382827/|url-status=live}}

File:James Earl Jones (8516667383).jpg

In 1968, Jones married actress and singer Julienne Marie, whom he met while performing as Othello to her Desdemona in 1964.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.playbill.com/multimedia/gallery/2046/photo-archive-james-earl-jones-onstage/?slide=2|title=As He Readies For His Latest Broadway Return, We Celebrate Over 50 Years of James Earl Jones Onstage|magazine=Playbill|publisher=Playbill, Inc.|location=London, England|date=June 8, 2020|access-date=October 16, 2016|archive-date=October 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019074810/https://www.playbill.com/multimedia/gallery/2046/photo-archive-james-earl-jones-onstage?slide=2|url-status=live}}{{sfn|Jones|Niven|1993|pp=171-176}} They had no children and divorced in 1972.{{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6gbQHxb_P0QC&pg=RA2-PA54|chapter=Jones, James Earl|title=Encyclopedia of African American History: 5-Volume Set|year=2009|pages=53–54|isbn=9780195167795|publisher=Oxford University Press|access-date=January 2, 2024|archive-date=February 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203023002/https://books.google.com/books?id=6gbQHxb_P0QC&pg=RA2-PA54|url-status=live}} In 1982, he married actress Cecilia Hart, who played Desdemona to his Othello shortly after they wed,{{sfn|Jones|Niven|1993|p=303}} and with whom he had a son, Flynn.{{cite magazine|first=Sam|last=Marlowe|url=https://metro.co.uk/2013/09/19/james-earl-jones-ill-just-keep-going-until-i-fall-over-4048251/|title=James Earl Jones: I'll just keep going until I fall over|magazine=Metro News|date=September 19, 2013|access-date=March 12, 2014|archive-date=March 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312225326/https://metro.co.uk/2013/09/19/james-earl-jones-ill-just-keep-going-until-i-fall-over-4048251/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.biography.com/people/james-earl-jones-9357354?page=2|title=James Earl Jones Biography: Film Actor, Theater Actor, Television Actor (1931–2024)|publisher= Biography.com (FYI / A&E Networks)|access-date= April 26, 2016|archive-date= April 2, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160402174243/https://www.biography.com/people/james-earl-jones-9357354|url-status=live}} Hart died from ovarian cancer on October 16, 2016. She was 68 years old.{{cite web|last=Barnes|first=Mike|date=October 22, 2016|title=Cecilia Hart, Actress and Wife of James Earl Jones, Dies at 68|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cecilia-hart-dead-james-earl-940676|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=October 22, 2016|archive-date= October 22, 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161022200050/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cecilia-hart-dead-james-earl-940676|url-status=live}}

In April 2016, Jones spoke publicly for the first time in nearly 20 years about his long-term health challenge with type 2 diabetes. He was diagnosed in the mid-1990s after his doctor noticed he had fallen asleep while exercising at a gym.{{Cite magazine|first=Tehrene|last=Firman|url=https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/diet-nutrition/a47356/james-earl-jones-type-2-diabetes/|title=James Earl Jones Discusses His Diabetes for the First Time in Two Decades|magazine=Good Housekeeping|date=January 4, 2018|access-date=June 8, 2020|archive-date=June 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609033856/https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/diet-nutrition/a47356/james-earl-jones-type-2-diabetes/|url-status=live}}

Jones was a devout Roman Catholic, having converted during his time in the military.{{Cite web|last=Dudar|first=Helen|date=March 22, 1987|title=James Earl Jones At Bat|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/03/22/arts/theater-james-earl-jones-at-bat.html/|website=The New York Times|language=en-US|access-date=September 9, 2024|archive-date=September 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909212203/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/03/22/arts/theater-james-earl-jones-at-bat.html|url-status=live}} He described his narration of the New Testament as "his greatest honor".{{Cite web|url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/james-earl-jones-called-narrating-the-bible-his-greatest-honor.html|title=James Earl Jones dies at 93: 'Star Wars' actor, devout Catholic called narrating the Bible his 'greatest honor'|first1=Leah MarieAnn|last1=Klett|date=September 10, 2024|work=The Christian Post |access-date=October 2, 2024}}

Jones died at his home in Pawling, New York, on September 9, 2024, at the age of 93. He died surrounded by his family.{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/james-earl-jones-voice-darth-vader-dies-93-2024-09-09/ |title=James Earl Jones, renowned actor and voice of Darth Vader, dies at 93 |last1=Trott |first1=Bill |last2=Richwine |first2=Lisa |work=Reuters |date=September 10, 2024 |access-date=October 2, 2024}}{{Cite news |last=Bernstein |first=Adam |date=September 9, 2024 |title=James Earl Jones, commanding actor who voiced Darth Vader, dies at 93 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2024/09/09/james-earl-jones-dead/ |access-date=September 9, 2024 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286|url-access = limited}} In a statement, CNN said that Jones "was the voice of CNN and our brand for many decades, uniquely conveying through speech instant authority, grace, and decorum. That remarkable voice is just one of many things the world will miss about James."{{Cite web |last1=Rosenbloom |first1=Alli |last2=Griggs |first2=Brandon |date=September 9, 2024 |title=James Earl Jones, iconic voice of Darth Vader in 'Star Wars' and Mufasa in 'The Lion King,' dead at 93 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/09/entertainment/james-earl-jones-death/index.html |access-date=September 9, 2024 |publisher=CNN |language=en |archive-date=September 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910033538/https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/09/entertainment/james-earl-jones-death/index.html |url-status=live }} Jones's alma mater, the University of Michigan, paid tribute to him by posting a "We Are Michigan" video narrated by Jones on Twitter.{{Cite tweet |number=1833260359819661387 |user=UMichFootball |title=Honoring the greatest voice in acting history and a Michigan icon. Rest in peace, James Earl Jones |author=University of Michigan Football |access-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911061800/https://x.com/UMichFootball/status/1833260359819661387 |archive-date=September 11, 2024 |url-status=live}}{{Cite tweet |number=1833272513968722138 |user=UMich |title=A Michigan icon. Rest in peace, James Earl Jones. |author=University of Michigan |access-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910024023/https://x.com/UMich/status/1833272513968722138 |archive-date=September 10, 2024 |url-status=live}} The NAACP, SAG-AFTRA, The Public Theater, and MLB also paid tribute to Jones.{{cite web|url= https://deadline.com/2024/09/james-earl-jones-hollywood-broadway-remembers-tributes-death-1236082895/|title= Hollywood Remembers James Earl Jones: "There Will Never Be Another Combination Of His Graces"|website= Deadline Hollywood|date= September 9, 2024|access-date= September 9, 2024|archive-date= September 11, 2024|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240911061801/https://deadline.com/2024/09/james-earl-jones-hollywood-broadway-remembers-tributes-death-1236082895/|url-status= live}} The Empire State Building in New York City was lit up to resemble Darth Vader.{{Cite web |last=Butler |first=Karen |date=September 10, 2024 |title=Mark Hamill, Kevin Costner pay tribute to late James Earl Jones |url=https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2024/09/10/james-earl-jones-reactions/2321725966523 |access-date=September 10, 2024 |website=United Press International |archive-date=September 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910134902/https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2024/09/10/james-earl-jones-reactions/2321725966523/ |url-status=live }} Vice President Kamala Harris praised Jones, writing that "[He] used his voice to challenge America's thinking on civil rights and race, and he continued to move our nation forward through his art."{{Cite tweet |number=1833589507305992699 |user=VP |title=James Earl Jones was a boy with a stutter who grew into the man who voiced some of the most notable characters in our culture. |first=Kamala |last=Harris |access-date=September 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911061826/https://x.com/VP/status/1833589507305992699?mx=2 |archive-date=September 11, 2024 |url-status=live}} Former President Bill Clinton released a statement praising Jones as "a brilliant actor who brought to life some of the most iconic characters ever".{{Cite tweet |number=1833586461628674386 |user=BillClinton |title=James Earl Jones was a brilliant actor who brought to life some of the most iconic characters ever. |first=Bill |last=Clinton |access-date=September 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911061822/https://x.com/BillClinton/status/1833586461628674386?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet |archive-date=September 11, 2024 |url-status=live}} Actor Denzel Washington paid tribute to Jones calling him his "hero" adding, "I wasn't going to be as big as him. I wanted to sound like him. He was everything to me as a budding actor. He was who I wanted to be."{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2024/film/news/denzel-washington-james-earl-jones-tribute-1236139578/|title= Denzel Washington Pays Tribute to James Earl Jones: 'He Was Who I Wanted to Be'|website= Variety|date= September 10, 2024|accessdate= September 10, 2024|archive-date= September 11, 2024|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240911061826/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/denzel-washington-james-earl-jones-tribute-1236139578/|url-status= live}} Numerous members of the entertainment industry also paid tribute to Jones including George Lucas, Mark Hamill, Kevin Costner, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Barry Jenkins, Spike Lee, Viola Davis, Whoopi Goldberg, Courtney B. Vance, and Alec Baldwin.{{cite magazine|url= https://ew.com/james-earl-jones-costars-celebrities-react-to-actors-death-8709292|title= Celebrities and costars mourn James Earl Jones: 'Rest now, King'|magazine= Entertainment Weekly|access-date=September 9, 2024|archive-date= September 10, 2024|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240910015407/https://ew.com/james-earl-jones-costars-celebrities-react-to-actors-death-8709292|url-status= live}}{{Cite web |last=Team |first=StarWars com |title=James Earl Jones: 1931–2024 |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/james-earl-jones |access-date=September 10, 2024 |website=StarWars.com |language=en |archive-date=September 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910004332/https://www.starwars.com/news/james-earl-jones |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url= https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2024/09/09/james-earl-jones-death-tributes/75150133007/|title= James Earl Jones remembered by 'Star Wars' co-star Mark Hamill, George Lucas, more|website= USA Today|access-date=September 10, 2024}}{{cite web|url= https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/james-earl-jones-death-cause-tributes-mufasa-darth-vader-b2609920.html|title= James Earl Jones death: Mark Hamill, LeVar Burton and Colman Domingo lead tributes|website= The Independent|date= September 10, 2024|access-date= September 10, 2024|archive-date= September 10, 2024|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240910062522/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/james-earl-jones-death-cause-tributes-mufasa-darth-vader-b2609920.html|url-status= live}}{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2024/film/news/james-earl-jones-remembered-star-wars-mark-hamill-1236138663/|title= James Earl Jones Remembered by 'Star Wars' Co-Star Mark Hamill and More: 'RIP Dad'|website= Variety|date= September 9, 2024|accessdate= September 10, 2024|archive-date= September 9, 2024|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240909223616/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/james-earl-jones-remembered-star-wars-mark-hamill-1236138663/|url-status= live}}

Following his death, The New York Times described Jones's career as "a prodigious body of work" and called him "one of America's most versatile actors in a stage, film and television career". The Hollywood Reporter referred to Jones as "one of the most-admired American actors of all time". The Guardian film critic Peter Bradshaw wrote, "like Sidney Poitier or Harry Belafonte or Paul Robeson, [Jones] was an African American actor with a beautiful voice which was the key to his dignity and self-respect as a performer; it was how his characters rose above racism and cruelty", and described Jones as "movie royalty".{{Cite news |last=Bradshaw |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Bradshaw |date=September 10, 2024 |title=James Earl Jones was movie royalty, a magisterial star who inspired both love and respect |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/article/2024/sep/10/james-earl-jones-death-age-93-career-bio-star-wars |access-date=September 10, 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=September 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911061756/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/article/2024/sep/10/james-earl-jones-death-age-93-career-bio-star-wars |url-status=live }} Academy Award–winning actress Viola Davis said that Jones's career reflected "black excellence".{{cite web|url=https://www.etonline.com/media/videos/viola-davis-remembers-james-earl-jones-legacy-of-black-excellence-exclusive-231038|title=Viola Davis Remembers James Earl Jones' Legacy of 'Black Excellence' (Exclusive)|publisher=ET Online|access-date=September 9, 2024|date=September 9, 2024|archive-date=September 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911061801/https://www.etonline.com/media/videos/viola-davis-remembers-james-earl-jones-legacy-of-black-excellence-exclusive-231038|url-status=live}}

Jones was recognized as a groundbreaker and pioneer for African Americans for his significant roles on stage and television. In 1965, Jones became one of the first African American actors in a continuing role on a daytime drama acting in As the World Turns.{{cite web|url= https://whyy.org/articles/obit-james-earl-jones/|title= James Earl Jones, acclaimed actor and voice of Darth Vader, dies at 93|website= WHYY|access-date= September 10, 2024|archive-date= September 10, 2024|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240910080906/https://whyy.org/articles/obit-james-earl-jones/|url-status= live}} Critic Clive Barnes said that Jones's theater roles were "like a black avenging angel ... Even when corrupted by misery, his presence has an almost moral force to it, and his voice rasps out an agony nearly too personally painful in its nakedness".{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2024/09/09/james-earl-jones-dead/|title=James Earl Jones, commanding actor who voiced Darth Vader, dies at 93|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=September 9, 2024|access-date=September 10, 2024}} In 2011, Academy Award-nominated actor Alec Baldwin called Jones "one of the greatest actors in American history". In 2022, the Cort Theatre was renamed after James Earl Jones, becoming the second Broadway venue named after a Black theatrical artist, the first being the August Wilson Theatre named after the playwright August Wilson.{{cite web|url= https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/broadways-cort-theatre-officially-renamed-james-earl-jones-theatre-rcna47528|title= Broadway's Cort Theatre is officially renamed the James Earl Jones Theatre|website= NBC|date= September 13, 2022|access-date= September 10, 2024|archive-date= September 11, 2024|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240911061805/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/broadways-cort-theatre-officially-renamed-james-earl-jones-theatre-rcna47528|url-status= live}} The Cort Theatre was the same stage on which Jones made his Broadway debut in 1958.{{cite web|url= https://plsn.com/plsntv/video-of-the-week-james-earl-jones-on-the-dedication-of-theater-named-for-him/|title= Video of the Week: James Earl Jones on the Dedication of Theater Named for Him|website= PSLN|access-date= September 10, 2024|archive-date= September 11, 2024|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240911062333/https://plsn.com/plsntv/video-of-the-week-james-earl-jones-on-the-dedication-of-theater-named-for-him/|url-status= live}}

On May 16, 2025, the online video game Fortnite Battle Royale added a Darth Vader non-playable character to the game, which players can converse with via generative AI modeled after Jones' voice. Fortnite developer Epic Games received permission from Jones' estate to use his voice in the game and closely collaborated with his family to develop the AI voice model.{{cite web |date=May 16, 2025 |title= James Earl Jones’ Family, Disney, and Epic Games Bring Darth Vader’s Iconic Voice to Fortnite with Interactive Chat Experience |url= https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/darth-vader-fortnite-disney-epic/ |access-date=May 16, 2025 |website=The Walt Disney Company}} SAG-AFTRA filed a complaint against Epic Games in response.{{cite web |last=Parrish |first=Ash |date=May 19, 2025 |title=SAG-AFTRA files complaint over Fortnite’s AI Darth Vader |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/669885/darth-vader-ai-fortnite-sag-aftra-unfair-labor-complaint |website=The Verge |location= |publisher= |access-date= }}

{{main|James Earl Jones on screen and stage|List of awards and nominations received by James Earl Jones}}

Jones had an extensive career in film, television, and theater. He started out in film by appearing in the 1964 political satire film Dr. Strangelove as Lt. Lothar Zogg. He then went on to star in the 1970 film The Great White Hope as Jack Jefferson, a role he first played at Washington's Arena Stage in the world premier of Howard Sackler's play of the same name.{{cite news |last1=Marks |first1=Peter |title=James Earl Jones's talents went far, far beyond his magnificent voice |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/2024/09/09/james-earl-jones-appreciation-tribute/ |access-date=September 10, 2024 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=September 10, 2024}}

On television, he received two Primetime Emmy Awards for his roles in thriller film Heat Wave (1990) and the crime series Gabriel's Fire (1991). He also acted in Roots (1977), Jesus of Nazareth (1977), Picket Fences (1994), and Homicide: Life on the Street (1997). Jones's television work includes playing Woodrow Paris in the series Paris between 1979 and 1980.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/09/28/archives/tv-weekend-jones-as-a-gentle-bear-of-detectives.html |title=TV Weekend Jones as a Gentle Bear of Detectives |work=The New York Times |date=September 28, 1979 |access-date=September 10, 2024 |archive-date=September 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910024029/https://www.nytimes.com/1979/09/28/archives/tv-weekend-jones-as-a-gentle-bear-of-detectives.html |url-status=live |last1=O'Connor |first1=John J. }} He voiced various characters on the animated series The Simpsons in three separate seasons (1990, 1994, 1998).{{cite web | url=https://deadline.com/gallery/remembering-james-earl-jones-career-in-photos/ | title=Remembering James Earl Jones: A Life & Career in Photos | date=September 9, 2024 | access-date=September 10, 2024 | archive-date=September 9, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909224647/https://deadline.com/gallery/remembering-james-earl-jones-career-in-photos/ | url-status=live }}

Jones's theater work includes numerous Broadway plays, including Sunrise at Campobello (1958–1959), Danton's Death (1965), The Iceman Cometh (1973–1974), Of Mice and Men (1974–1975), Othello (1982), On Golden Pond (2005), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (2008), and You Can't Take It with You (2014–2015).{{cite web|url=https://playbill.com/article/james-earl-jones-dies-at-93|title=James Earl Jones Dies at 93|work=Playbill|first1=Robert|last1=Viagas|first2=Margaret|last2=Hall|date=September 9, 2024|access-date=September 10, 2024|archive-date=September 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909215724/https://playbill.com/article/james-earl-jones-dies-at-93|url-status=live}}

File:JamesEarlJonesTheatre.jpg on Broadway]]

Jones received two Primetime Emmy Awards, two Tony Awards, and a Grammy Award. He also was the recipient of a Golden Globe Award and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award. In 2011, he received an Academy Honorary Award.{{cite news|url= https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-15711859|title= Actor James Earl Jones receives Oscar in London|work= BBC News|date= November 14, 2011|access-date= December 9, 2020|archive-date= June 3, 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210603005638/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-15711859|url-status= live}} As such, he has been described as being an EGOT, having won all four Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards. There is debate as to if the definition of EGOT extends to non-competitive winners such as Jones, Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli, and Harry Belafonte.{{cite web|url= https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/awards/2011/08/james-earl-jones-honorary-oscar-egot.html|title= Why James Earl Jones' honorary Oscar doesn't get him an EGOT|work= Los Angeles Times|date= August 3, 2011|access-date= December 9, 2020|archive-date= November 30, 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201130195519/https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/awards/2011/08/james-earl-jones-honorary-oscar-egot.html|url-status= live}}{{cite web|url= https://www.vox.com/culture/24058289/egot-winners-what-awards-count-pegot-oscars|title= What does the EGOT even mean, anyway|website= Vox|date= February 4, 2024|access-date= September 10, 2024|archive-date= September 11, 2024|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240911062308/https://www.vox.com/culture/24058289/egot-winners-what-awards-count-pegot-oscars|url-status= live}}{{cite web|url= https://deadline.com/2024/09/james-earl-jones-dead-1236082801/|title= James Earl Jones Dies: Revered 'Field Of Dreams' Star, Darth Vader Voice & Broadway Regular Was 93|website= Deadline Hollywood|date= September 9, 2024|access-date= September 10, 2024|archive-date= September 10, 2024|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240910000702/https://deadline.com/2024/09/james-earl-jones-dead-1236082801/|url-status= live}}

In 1985, Jones was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/03/05/arts/broadway-s-best.html|title=Broadway's Best|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 6, 2014|date=March 5, 1985|archive-date=January 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140123054952/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/03/05/arts/broadway-s-best.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theaterhalloffame.org/members.html|title=Theater Hall of Fame members|access-date=February 6, 2014|archive-date=January 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118013544/https://www.theaterhalloffame.org/members.html|url-status=live}} He was also the 1987 First recipient of the National Association for Hearing and Speech Action's Annie Glenn Award.[https://johnglennhome.org/about/annie-glenn/ About: "Annie Glenn"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518051518/https://johnglennhome.org/about/annie-glenn/|date=May 18, 2019}}, John and Annie Glenn Museum. In 1991, he received the Common Wealth Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Dramatic Arts. In 1992, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts by George H. W. Bush. He received the 1996 Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs, California, Walk of Stars.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20121013165655/https://www.palmspringswalkofstars.com/web-storage/Stars/Stars%20dedicated%20by%20date.pdf Palm Springs Walk of Stars by date dedicated]}} Also in 1996, he was given the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement presented by Awards Council member George Lucas.{{cite web|title=Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement|website=www.achievement.org|publisher=American Academy of Achievement|url=https://www.achievement.org/our-history/golden-plate-awards/|access-date=April 24, 2019|archive-date=December 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212193048/https://www.achievement.org/our-history/golden-plate-awards/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=2004|title=2004 Summit Highlights Photo|url=https://achievement.org/summit/2004/|quote=Awards Council member and actor James Earl Jones presents the Academy's Golden Plate Award to Congressman John Lewis during the introductory evening of the 2004 International Achievement Summit in Chicago, Illinois.|access-date=December 8, 2020|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917235315/https://achievement.org/summit/2004/|url-status=live}}

In 2002, he was the featured Martin Luther King Day speaker for Lauderhill, Florida.{{cite web|url= https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/james-gang/|title= James Earl Jones vs. James Earl Ray Mix-Up|date= January 19, 2003|access-date= January 19, 2020|archive-date= August 6, 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210806143245/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/james-gang/|url-status= live}} In 2011, he received the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center Monte Cristo Award Recipient.Adam Hetrick, [https://www.playbill.com/news/article/james-earl-jones-receives-oneill-centers-monte-cristo-award-may-9-176916 "James Earl Jones Receives O'Neill Center's Monte Cristo Award May 9"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120073819/https://www.playbill.com/news/article/james-earl-jones-receives-oneill-centers-monte-cristo-award-may-9-176916 |date=January 20, 2015 }}, Playbill, May 9, 2011. Retrieved January 20, 2011. He also received an Honorary Academy Award on November 12, 2011. He was the 2012 Marian Anderson Award Recipient.Carrie Rickey, [https://articles.philly.com/2012-06-05/news/32032772_1_marian-anderson-award-tony-awards-stage-and-screen "Actor James Earl Jones wins Marian Anderson Award"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063207/https://articles.philly.com/2012-06-05/news/32032772_1_marian-anderson-award-tony-awards-stage-and-screen |date=March 4, 2016 }}, Philly.com, June 5, 2012. Retrieved January 20, 2015.[https://www.broadwayworld.com/philadelphia/article/James-Earl-Jones-to-Receive-Philadelphia-Orchestras-2012-Marian-Anderson-Award-20120605 "James Earl Jones to Receive Philadelphia's 2012 Marian Anderson Award"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120063257/https://www.broadwayworld.com/philadelphia/article/James-Earl-Jones-to-Receive-Philadelphia-Orchestras-2012-Marian-Anderson-Award-20120605 |date=January 20, 2015 }}, Broadway World, June 5, 2012. Retrieved January 20, 2015. Jones won the 2014 Voice Icon Award sponsored by Society of Voice Arts and Sciences at the Museum of the Moving Image. In 2017, he received an Honorary Doctor of Arts from Harvard University.[https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2017/05/harvard-awards-10-honorary-degrees-at-366th-commencement/ "Harvard awards 10 honorary degrees at 366th Commencement"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525124711/https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2017/05/harvard-awards-10-honorary-degrees-at-366th-commencement/ |date=May 25, 2017 }}, Harvard Gazette, May 25, 2017. Retrieved May 30, 2017. He was honored with a Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2017.{{Cite web |date=April 27, 2017 |title=Tony Awards: James Earl Jones to Receive Lifetime Achievement Honor |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/tony-awards-james-earl-jones-receive-lifetime-achievement-honor-998164 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803090115/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/tony-awards-james-earl-jones-receive-lifetime-achievement-honor-998164 |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |access-date=May 18, 2020 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} In 2019, he was honored as a Disney Legend.{{cite news|last1=Abell|first1=Bailee|title=Robert Downey Jr. and James Earl Jones highlight the list of Disney Legends to be honored at D23 Expo 2019|url=https://insidethemagic.net/2019/05/disney-legends-d23-2019-ba1/|work=Inside the Magic|date=May 16, 2019|access-date=May 17, 2019|archive-date=May 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517025055/https://insidethemagic.net/2019/05/disney-legends-d23-2019-ba1/|url-status=live}} In March 2022, Broadway's Cort Theatre was renamed the James Earl Jones Theatre in his honor.{{Cite news|last=Paulson|first=Michael|date=March 2, 2022|title=Broadway's Cort Theater Will Have a New Name: James Earl Jones|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/theater/cort-theater-james-earl-jones.html|access-date=March 2, 2022|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=February 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203023002/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/theater/cort-theater-james-earl-jones.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=James Earl Jones honored in renaming of historic N.Y. Broadway theater|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/james-earl-jones-honored-renaming-historic-ny-broadway-theater-rcna18354|website=NBC News|date=March 2, 2022|access-date=March 3, 2022|archive-date=February 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203023004/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/james-earl-jones-honored-renaming-historic-ny-broadway-theater-rcna18354|url-status=live}}

• African-American Tony nominees and winners
• List of black Academy Award winners and nominees
• List of actors with Academy Award nominations
• List of Golden Globe winners
• List of Primetime Emmy Award winners
• List of EGOT winners

{{reflist}}

• {{Cite book |last1=Jones |first1=James Earl |last2=Niven |first2=Penelope |year=1993 |title=James Earl Jones: Voices and Silences |url=https://archive.org/details/jamesearljonesvo00jone |url-access=registration |location=New York |publisher=Charles Scribner's Sons; Maxwell Macmillan International |isbn=0-684-19513-5 |oclc=317228644}}

• {{Cite news |last=Hornaday |first=Ann |date=September 27, 2014 |title=James Earl Jones: A Voice for the Ages, Aging Gracefully |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/james-earl-jones-a-voice-for-the-ages-aging-gracefully/2014/09/25/03b7ff3c-4335-11e4-b437-1a7368204804_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post}}

{{Wikiquote}}

{{Commons category|James Earl Jones}}

• {{AFI person | 78522-James-EarlJones }}
• {{IMDb name}}
• {{IBDB name}}
• {{IOBDB name|9901}} ([https://web.archive.org/web/20070911032328/https://www.lortel.org/LLA_archive/index.cfm?search_by=people&first=James&middle=Earl&last=Jones archive])
• {{TCMDb name}}
• {{Rotten Tomatoes person}}
• {{Emmys person|james-earl-jones}}
• {{C-SPAN|43665}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100120001719/https://www.nea.gov/honors/medals/medalists_year.html Lifetime Honors – National Medal of Arts] (list; sortable in chronological and alphabetical order)
• [https://mazmanian.net/secret/James-Earl-Gabriel-Fire-1990.mp4 Rare & Outstanding Clip of James Earl Jones Ordering Hot Dogs, from Gabriel's Fire 1990 (two minutes)]
• [https://archive.org/details/bah-humbug/Bah+Humbug.mp4 See James Earl Jones as "Ebenezer Scrooge' in Bah Humbug! The Story of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol] on the Internet Archive

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