James Earl Jones Esteemed Actor Dies at 93

Tribute to JAMES EARL JONES:

Born: January 17, 1931, Arkabutla, Mississippi, United States

Died: September 9, 2024 (age 93 years)

James Earl Jones was an American actor known for his film roles and for his work in theatre. Jones has been described as “one of America’s most distinguished and versatile” actors for his performances on stage and screen. He has also been called “one of the greatest actors in American history

Early Life

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Buffer
• Pinterest
• Gmail
• LinkedIn

Early life and education

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Buffer
• Pinterest
• Gmail
• LinkedIn

James Earl Jones was born in Arkabutla, Mississippi, on January 17, 1931, to Ruth 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. 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.

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Buffer
• Pinterest
• Gmail
• LinkedIn

Career

1953–1972: Early roles and acclaim

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. His early career also included an appearance in the ABC radio anthology series Theatre-Five. In 1957, he made his Broadway debut as understudy to Lloyd Richards in the short-lived play, The Egghead, by Molly Kazan. The play ran only 21 performances, 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

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Buffer
• Pinterest
• Gmail
• LinkedIn

2000–2009: Career honors and other roles

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, M.D., and CBS’ The Big Bang Theory and Two and a Half Men.

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

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. Those there to honor Jones included Sidney Poitier, Kelsey Grammer, Charles S. Dutton, and Courtney B. Vance.

Movies

Acting

2024Butterfly in the Skyas Guest Narrator (archive footage)

2022Obi-Wan Kenobi(4 episodes) as Darth Vader (voice)

2021Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Streetas Self (archive footage)2021Coming 2 Americaas King Jaffe Joffer

2019Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalkeras Darth Vader (voice)2019The Movies That Made Us(1 episode) as Self (archive footage)2019On Broadwayas Self (archive footage)2019Raúl Juliá: The World’s a Stageas Self2019The Lion Kingas Mufasa (voice)2019The Space: Theatre of Survivalas Narrator2019Words from a Bearas Self

2018Warning Shotas Pendleton

2017Broadway: The Next Generationas Self2017The Lion Guard: Life In The Pride Landsas Mufasa (voice)

2016Rogue One: A Star Wars Storyas Darth Vader (voice)2016God Bless You, Mr Rosewateras Kilgore Trout

2015The Lion Guard: Return of the Roaras Mufasa (voice)2015Driving Miss Daisyas Hoke Colburn2015Star Wars Rebels: The Siege of Lothalas Darth Vader (voice)2015August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand

2014Star Wars Rebels(1 episode) as Anakin Skywalker (voice)(1 episode) as Darth Vader (voice)2014Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellionas Darth Vader (voice)2014The Angriest Man in Brooklynas Ruben

2013Gimme Shelteras Frank McCarthy2013Muse of Fireas Self2013Blackfishas Self (archive footage)2013Miliusas Self

2012An Amazing Time: A Conversation About End of the Roadas Self2012Joe Papp in Five Actsas Self

2010Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odysseyas Admiral (voice)

2009Jack and the Beanstalkas The Giant (voice)2009Waking Sleeping Beautyas Self (archive footage)

2008Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkinsas Papa Jenkins

2007Earthas Narrator (voice)2007The Big Bang Theory(1 episode) as Self2007Our Paul: Remembering Paul Robesonas Self2007John, Paul, George and Benas Narrator

2006Searching for Orsonas Self2006The One Show(1 episode) as Self – Guest2006Clickas Narrator of Michael’s Past (voice) (uncredited)2006The Best of The Tony Awards: The Playsas Jack Jefferson (segment “The Great White Hope”) / Troy Maxson (segment “Fences”)2006Scary Movie 4as Narrator (uncredited)2006The Benchwarmersas Darth Vader (voice)

2005Hollywood’s Greatest Villainsas Self2005The Sandlot 2as Mr. Mertle2005The Reading Roomas William2005Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sithas Darth Vader (voice – uncredited)2005Robotsas Voice Box at Hardware Store (voice)2005By Any Means Necessary: The Making of ‘Malcolm X’as Narrator

2004House(1 episode) as Dibala2004No Fighting in the War Room Or: ‘Dr Strangelove’ and the Nuclear Threatas Self2004Nine Dog Christmasas Narrator2004Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogyas Self2004The Story of Star Warsas Darth Vader (archive footage)2004Black Indians: An American Storyas Narrator

2003The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horroras Maggie Simpson (voice)2003Two and a Half Men(1 episode) as Himself2003The Great Yearas Narrator2003Beneath the Surface: The Making of ‘The Hunt for Red October’as Self

2002The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror2002Everwood(3 episodes) as Will Cleveland2002Fredericksburg: A Documentary Filmas Narrator

2001Muhammad Ali – Through The Eyes Of The Worldas Self2001Feast of All Saintsas Older Marcel2001Recess Christmas: Miracle On Third Streetas Mister (voice)2001According to Jim(1 episode) as Royal Flush Voice (voice)2001Finder’s Feeas Avery Phillips2001Disney’s American Legendsas Narrator

2000Antietam: A Documentary Filmas Narrator2000Conan Unchained: The Making of ‘Conan’as Self2000Inside: ‘Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb’as Self – ‘Lieutenant Lothar Zogg’2000Summer’s Endas Dr. William ‘Bill’ Blakely2000The Art of Stanley Kubrick: From Short Films to Strangeloveas Self2000Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light2000Fantasia 2000as Self – Host

1999Santa and Peteas James Earl Jones1999The Annihilation of Fishas Fish1999Undercover Angelas The Judge1999On the Q.T.as Leo1999Our Friend, Martinas Daddy King (voice)

1998The Lion King II: Simba’s Prideas Mufasa (voice)1998Will & Grace(1 episode) as Self1998AFI’s 100 Years… 100 Movies(1 episode) as Self1998Merlin(2 episodes) as Rock of Ages1998Primary Colorsas CNN Voiceover (voice)

1997Aloneas Grey1997The Second Civil Waras Jim Kalla1997What the Deaf Man Heardas Archibald Thacker1997Gang Relatedas Arthur Baylor1997Hitler’s Forgotten Victimsas Narrator (voice) (DVD version)1997Casper: A Spirited Beginningas Kibosh (voice)1997Stargate SG-1(1 episode) as Unas (Voice)1997Sports on the Silver Screenas Self (archive footage)1997The Second Civil War(1 episode) as Jim Kalla1997Star Wars: The Magic & the Mysteryas Self1997Afro Promoas Self (archive footage)

1996Timepieceas Lawrence1996Rebound: The Legend of Earl ‘The Goat’ Manigaultas Dr. McDuffie1996Looking for Richardas Self – Interviewee1996A Family Thingas Ray Murdock

1995Cry, the Beloved Countryas Rev. Stephen Kumalo1995Who’s in Rabbit’s House?as Narrator (voice)1995Judge Dreddas Narrator (uncredited)1995The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Moviesas Self1995The Making of ‘Jurassic Park’as Host1995Jefferson in Parisas Madison Hemings1995Under One Roof(6 episodes) as Neb Langston1995Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child(1 episode) as King Dakkar (voice)1995Circle of Life: An Environmental Fableas Mufasa (voice)1995Signs and Wonders(4 episodes) as Diamond1995People: A Musical Celebrationas The Storyteller (voice)

1994Bah, Humbug!: The Story of Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’as Narrator1994Touched by an Angel(1 episode) as The Angel of Angels1994Clear and Present Dangeras Admiral James Greer1994The Making of the Lion Kingas Self1994The Lion Kingas Mufasa (voice)1994Twilight Zone: Rod Serling’s Lost Classicsas Host1994Clean Slateas John Dolby1994Africa: The Serengetias Narrator1994Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insultas James Earl Jones (uncredited)1994Gangs: Turning the Corneras Self1994Confessions: Two Faces of Evilas Charles Lloyd1994The Vernon Johns Storyas Vernon Johns

1993Hallelujahas Old Man Taylor1993Michael Jackson: Dangerous – The Short Filmsas Self [Superbowl Heal The World] (voice)1993Frasier(1 episode) as Norman Royster1993Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman(1 episode) as Franklin Stern1993Percy & Thunderas Percy Banks1993The Meteor Manas Earnest Moses1993Dreamrideras Bill Perry1993Excessive Forceas Jake1993The Sandlotas Mr. Mertle1993Sommersbyas Judge Barry Conrad Issacs1993Homicide: Life on the Street(3 episodes)

1992Lincolnas Narrator (voice)1992Sneakersas Mr. Bernard Abbott1992Patriot Gamesas Adm. James Greer1992Shelley Duvall’s Bedtime Stories(1 episode) as Narrator (Voice)

1991Pros and Cons(12 episodes) as Gabriel Bird1991True Identityas Himself1991Scorchersas Bear1991Portrait of Castro’s Cubaas Host/Narrator1991Visitors from the Unknownas Narrator1991Convictsas Ben Johnson

1990Grim Prairie Talesas Morrison1990Law & Order(1 episode) as Defense Attorney Horace McCoy1990Gabriel’s Fire(22 episodes) as Gabriel Bird1990Ivory Huntersas Inspector Nkuru1990Heat Waveas Junius Johnson1990Last Flight Outas Al Topping1990By Dawn’s Early Lightas Alice1990The Ambulanceas Lt. Spencer1990The Hunt for Red Octoberas Admiral Greer1990Terrorgramas Retribution (voice)1990Teach 109as Dr. Winston

1989The Simpsons(1 episode) as Maggie Simpson (voice)(1 episode) as Moving Man / Serak the Preparer / Narrator (voice)(1 episode) as Narrator (voice)198911-22-63: The Day the Nation Criedas Narrator1989Best of the Bestas Frank Couzo1989Golden Book Video – Beauty and the Beastas Narrator (voice)1989Field of Dreamsas Terrence Mann1989Long Ago and Far Away(35 episodes) as Host1989Three Fugitivesas Dugan1989Stories to Remember: Noah’s Arkas Narrator1989The Hunting of the Snarkas Narrator (voice)

1988Coming to Americaas King Jaffe Joffer1988Michael Jackson: The Legend Continuesas Narrator (voice)

1987Matewanas ‘Few Clothes’ Johnson1987Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Nightas Emperor of the Night (voice)1987Gardens of Stoneas Sgt. Maj.’Goody’ Nelson1987A House Divided1987Mathnet(1 episode) as Chief Thad Green (voice)(5 episodes) as Chief Thad Green

1986Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Goldas Umslopogaas1986Soul Manas Professor Banks1986L.A. Law(1 episode) as Lee Atkins1986My Little Girlas Ike Bailey1986Aladdin and His Wonderful Lampas Genie / Narrator1986The Lone Star Kidas Holmes

1985City Limitsas Albert1985Me & Mom(2 episodes)1985Night of 100 Stars IIas Self1985The Atlanta Child Murders(2 episodes) as Major Walker1985Visual Pathfinders: Robert Abel & Associates

1984The Flight of Dragonsas Ommadon (voice)1984The Vegas Strip Waras Jack Madrid1984CBS Schoolbreak Special(1 episode) as Detective Robb1984Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Earsas Narrator

1983Reading Rainbow(1 episode) as Himself – Narrator (voice)1983Return of the Jedias Darth Vader (voice)

1982Blood Tideas Frye1982Amy and the Angelas Gabriel1982Faerie Tale Theatre(1 episode) as Genie / Narrator (voice)1982Conan the Barbarianas Thulsa Doom1982Night of 100 Starsas Self

1981The Creationas Narrator (voice)1981The Bushido Bladeas The Prisoner1981There Was Always Sun Shining Someplace: Life in the Negro Baseball Leaguesas himself, voice1981Beauty and the Beastas Narrator (voice)1981God’s Trombonesas Himself – Narrator (segment “The Creation”)

1980The Golden Moment: An Olympic Love Storyas Dane Oliver1980The Empire Strikes Backas Darth Vader (voice) (uncredited)1980The Me Nobody Knowsas Self1980Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones(2 episodes) as Father Divine

1979Paris(13 episodes) as Woody Paris1979A Walking Tour of Sesame Streetas Self – Host1979Roots: The Next Generations(7 episodes) as Alex Haley1979Paul Robesonas Paul Robeson

1978Black Theatre: The Making of a Movementas Self1978The Kennedy Center Honors(1 episode) as Self1978The Star Wars Holiday Specialas Darth Vader (voice)1978The Magic of David Copperfield(1 episode)

1977The Greatest Thing That Almost Happenedas Morris Bird, Jr.1977A Piece of the Actionas Joshua Burke1977The Making of Star Warsas Darth Vader (voice) (uncredited)1977Exorcist II: The Hereticas Older Kokumo1977The Last Remake of Beau Gesteas Sheikh1977Star Warsas Darth Vader (voice) (uncredited)1977The Greatestas Malcolm X1977Jesus of Nazareth(4 episodes) as Balthazar

1976Swashbuckleras Nick Debrett1976The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kingsas Leon1976The River Nigeras Johnny Williams

1975Deadly Heroas Rabbit Shazam1975The UFO Incidentas Barney Hill1975Vegetable Soup(57 episodes) as Long John Spoilsport

1974The Cayas Timothy1974Claudineas Rupert D. “Roop” Marshall1974King Learas King Lear

1973The American Film Institute Salute to …(1 episode) as Self1973Black Omnibus(13 episodes) as Self – Host

1972The Manas Douglass Dilman1972Malcolm Xas Biographical Narration (voice)

1971Martin Luther King, Jr.: Legacy of a Dreamas Narrator1971Great Performances(1 episode) as King Lear

1970The Great White Hopeas Jack Jefferson1970King: A Filmed Record… Montgomery to Memphisas Self (archive footage)1970End of the Roadas Doctor D

1969Sesame Street(1 episode)

1968Film Night(1 episode)1968The Dick Cavett Show(2 episodes) as Self – Guest

1967The Comediansas Dr. Magiot

1966Tarzan(2 episodes)

1964Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bombas Lt. Lothar Zogg

1963East Side/West Side(1 episode)

1961Dr. Kildare(3 episodes) as Dr. Lou Rush1961The Defenders(1 episode) as Reverend Harris Bonham(1 episode) as Lieutenant Andrews

1956Tony Awards(1 episode) as Self – Nominee / Performer(6 episodes) as Self – Presenter

1951Hallmark Hall of Fame(1 episode) as Archibald Thacker

1948Lamp Unto My Feet(1 episode)1948The Ed Sullivan Show(1 episode) as Jack Jefferson (archive footage)