James Earl Jones
Biography
James Earl Jones was an American actor and a pioneer for Black actors who became one of the few EGOT winners. Born in Arkabutla, Mississippi, he made his Broadway debut in Sunrise at Campobello and gained fame for Shakespearean roles such as Othello, Hamlet, and King Lear. He won Tony Awards for The Great White Hope and Fences, and earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for the film version of The Great White Hope (1970). His film debut was in Dr. Strangelove (1964). He became internationally known as the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) and Return of the Jedi (1983), and of Mufasa in The Lion King (1994). His other films included Conan the Barbarian (1982), Coming to America (1988), Field of Dreams (1989), and The Hunt for Red October (1990). He won Primetime Emmys for Gabriel's Fire and Heat Wave, received an honorary Oscar in 2011, and died in 2024.
93years old at death
- Born Arkabutla
- Died Pawling
- Star sign: CapricornThe sign runs December 22 to January 19
Movie Career
- Films
- 68
- Career span
- 57 years1964 to 2021
Genres
Photos
Share
Did you know?!
Big break
James Earl Jones was cast in Dr. Strangelove after Stanley Kubrick spotted him at a Shakespeare in the Park production of The Merchant of Venice, where Jones played the Prince of Morocco. Kubrick had come to see George C. Scott but decided to take Jones as well.
Getting ready for a role
In the Star Wars trilogy, Jones dubbed Darth Vader's dialogue after filming because David Prowse's West Country accent was unsuitable. Jones chose to go uncredited in the first two films but was credited for the third.
First role
In 1957, Jones first appeared on Broadway as an understudy to Lloyd Richards in The Egghead, a play that lasted only 21 performances. Three months later, in January 1958, he originated the role of Edward the butler in Sunrise at Campobello.
Behind the award
In 1991, James Earl Jones earned two Primetime Emmys in a single year, taking Best Actor for Gabriel's Fire and Best Supporting Actor for Heat Wave.
A first
Jones took a continuing part on the daytime drama As the World Turns in 1965, making him one of the first African American actors to hold such a role on a daytime drama.
James Earl Jones movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
- Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb1964as Lt. Lothar Zogg
IMDb rating 8.3555K votes
Most often with
Phil Alden Robinson directed three of these films, Phillip Noyce two and Howy Parkins two. Harrison Ford appears in six of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Harrison Ford's page
Mark Hamill's page
Carrie Fisher's page
Anthony Daniels's page
Peter Mayhew's page
Samuel L. Jackson's page
All films by Phil Alden Robinson
Phillip NoyceDirector, 2 films, 1992 to 1994
All films by Phillip Noyce
Howy ParkinsDirector, 2 films, 2001 to 2015
All films by Howy Parkins
Also three films together9 more actors
- David StrathairnSneakers (1992), Heat Wave (1990) and Matewan (1987)
- Alec GuinnessStar Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983), Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) and The Comedians (1967)
- Lee GarlingtonThe Angriest Man in Brooklyn (2014), Field of Dreams (1989) and Three Fugitives (1989)
- Cicely TysonHeat Wave (1990), The River Niger (1976) and The Comedians (1967)
- Billy Dee WilliamsEmpire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy (2004), Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) and The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings (1976)
- Steven SpielbergMilius (2013), Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy (2004) and The Making of 'Jurassic Park' (1995)
- Robert GuillaumeThe Lion King II: Simba's Pride (1998), The Lion King (1994) and The Meteor Man (1993)
- Kenny BakerEmpire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy (2004), Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) and Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
- Ernie SabellaThe Lion Guard: Return of the Roar (2015), The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (1998) and The Lion King (1994)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Box office
What James Earl Jones's films earned in cinemas worldwide.
Combined worldwide box office
$5.5 billion
36 of the 67 films have a worldwide figure.
Of the 67 films: 36 worldwide figure; 1 us gross only; 14 never in cinemas; 16 figure not found.
- 36Worldwide figure
- 1US gross only
- 14Never in cinemas
- 16Figure not found
Highest grossing
The eight biggest films earned 84% of the total. The bars are drawn to scale.
- 1$1.7B30.1% of the total
- 2$775M14.0% of the total
- 3$763M13.8% of the total
- 4$573M10.4% of the total
- 5$289M5.2% of the total
- 6$216M3.9% of the total
- 7$201M3.6% of the total
- 8$178M3.2% of the total
$866 millionfrom the other 28 films with a worldwide figure, 16% of the total
Awards
Twelve awards and honors from 1969 to 2019, seven of them major.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academy Awards | |||
| 2011 | Honorary Award | Honorary | |
| Golden Globes | |||
| 1970 | New Star of the Year – Actor | The Great White Hope | Won |
| Emmy Awards | |||
| 1991 | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series | Gabriel's Fire | Won |
| 1991 | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie | Heat Wave | Won |
| SAG Awards | |||
| Life Achievement Award | Won | ||
| Tony Awards | |||
| 1987 | Best Actor in a Play | Won | |
| 1969 | Best Actor in a Play | Won | |
| Other honors | |||
| 2019 | Disney Legends | Honored | |
| 2017 | Honorary doctor of Harvard University | Honorary | |
| 2012 | Outer Critics Circle Award | The Best Man | Won |
| 2011 | Paul Robeson Award | Won | |
| Kennedy Center Honors | Won | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.