James Earl Jones is an American actor. His career spans more than seven decades and he has been described as "one of America's most distinguished and versatile" actors known for his performance in film, theater and television, and "one of the greatest actors in American history". Throughout his acting career, Jones has won three Tony Awards, a Grammy Award, and two Primetime Emmy Awards. In 1985, he was Inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame. In 1992, Jones was presented with the National Medal of the Arts by President George H.W. Bush. In 2002, he received the Kennedy Center Honor. In 2009, Jones was invited by President Barack Obama to perform Shakespeare at the White House Evening for Poetry. That same year he also received the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award. On November 12, 2011, he received an Honorary Academy Award. On May 25, 2017, he received an Honorary Doctor of Arts degree from Harvard University.
Born: | January 17, 1931, Arkabutla, Mississippi, U.S. |
Alma mater: | University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance |
Occupation: | Actor |
Years active: | 1953–present |
Children: | 1 |
Parent(s): | Robert Earl Jones, Ruth Connolly |
Twitter: | James Earl Jones's Twitter profile |
IMDb: | James Earl Jones's IMDb |
Rotten Tomatoes: | James Earl Jones's Rotten Tomatoes |
About James Earl Jones
Golden Globe-winning actor whose career has spanned over 50 years. He became known for providing the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars and won a Tony Award and a Golden Globe Award for The Great White Hope.
Before Fame
He had a stutter as a child, but overcame it to cultivate his distinctive bass voice. He began his acting career as a stage carpenter at the Ramsdell Theatre in Michigan.
Achievement
He provided the voice of Mufasa in The Lion King.
Family Life
He was once married to actress and singer Julienne Marie. He married Cecilia Hart in 1982, and the couple had a child named Flynn together.
Associations
While Jones provided the voice of Darth Vader, the character was physically portrayed by David Prowse.
Information related to James Earl Jones
- Pershing Riflemen
- Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor in a Drama Series Primetime Emmy Award winners
- Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie Primetime Emmy Award winners
- Male actors from Mississippi
- New Star of the Year (Actor) Golden Globe winners
- American male Shakespearean actors
- Male actors from Michigan
- Academy Honorary Award recipients
- Kennedy Center honorees
- Obie Award recipients
- United States National Medal of Arts recipients
- African-American military personnel
- Daytime Emmy Award winners
- Drama Desk Award winners