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James Earl Jones
Actor (speaking voice: bass-baritone)
Born January 17, 1931 in Arkabutla, Mississippi, United States (1931–2024)·d. September 9, 2024 in Pawling, New York, United States (aged 93)
Theatre
James Earl Jones was an American actor. A pioneer for black actors in the entertainment industry, he was acclaimed for his performances on stage and screen. Jones is one of the few performers to achieve the EGOT. He was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1985, and was honored with the National Medal of Arts in 1992, the Kennedy Center Honor in 2002, the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2009, and the Academy Honorary Award in 2011.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Signature Roles
Big Daddy in *Cat on a Hot Tin Roof* (2008)Darth Vader in *Star Wars* franchise (voice, 1977–2019)Hoke Colburn in *Driving Miss Daisy* (2010–2011)Jack Jefferson in *The Great White Hope* (1968)Mufasa in *The Lion King* (voice, 1994, 2019)Norman Thayer, Jr. in *On Golden Pond* (2005)Othello in *Othello* (Shakespeare in the Park, 1964; Broadway revival, 1982)Paul Robeson in *Paul Robeson* (1978)Terence Mann in *Field of Dreams* (1989)Troy Maxson in *Fences* (1987)
10 Signature Roles6 Principal Houses
Spotlight
Career Trajectory
From his breakthrough in regional theatre and Broadway debut in 1957, James Earl Jones ascended to become one of America's most commanding stage actors, earning dual Tony Awards for *The Great White Hope* (1968) and *Fences* (1987) while simultaneously achieving iconic status through his resonant voice work in *Star Wars* and *The Lion King*. His six-decade career encompassed Shakespearean roles, contemporary drama, and cultural touchstones, establishing him as a performer of intellectual rigor and emotional depth who transcended the boundaries of stage, film, and voice acting.
Career Highlight
Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for *Fences* (1987); also won Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for *The Great White Hope* (1968); achieved EGOT status with competitive Tonys, Emmy, Grammy, and Honorary Oscar for Lifetime Achievement (2011)
At a Glance
- Voice
- Actor (speaking voice: bass-baritone)
- Nationality
- United States
- Born
- 1931 · Arkabutla, Mississippi, United States
- Active since
- 1968
Training & Education
Ranger School
Engagements
Verified past & upcoming performances
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Career Arc
A chronological journey through key moments
1931Born in Arkabutla, Mississippi, United States
1968Also won Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for The Great White Hope
1987Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for Fences
2011Honorary Oscar for Lifetime Achievement
2024Died in Pawling, New York, United States
Available Performances
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