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James Earl Jones

Known For
Acting

Known Credits
273

Gender
Male

Birthday
January 17, 1931 (95 years old)

Place of Birth
Arkabutla, Mississippi, USA

James Earl Jones

Biography

James Earl Jones (January 17, 1931 – September 9, 2024) was an American actor. He was described as "one of America's most distinguished and versatile" actors for his performances on stage and screen, and "one of the greatest actors in American history". Over his career, he received three Tony Awards, two Emmy Awards, and a Grammy Award. He was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1985. He 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 Honorary Academy Award in 2011. His deep voice has been praised as a "stirring basso profondo that has lent gravel and gravitas" to his projects.

Known For

Acting

2025Indiana Jones Adventure | Disneyland Resortas Mara (voice)
2024BET News & ET Present James Earl Jones: Life and Legacyas Self (archive footage)
2024Butterfly in the Skyas Guest Narrator (archive footage)
2022Obi-Wan Kenobias 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 Usas Self (archive footage)
2019On Broadwayas Self (archive footage)
2019Raúl Juliá: The World’s a Stageas Self
2019The Lion Kingas Mufasa (voice)
2019The Space: Theatre of Survivalas Narrator
2019Words from a Bearas Self
2018Warning Shotas Pendleton
2017The 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
2016The Lion Guard: Return of the Roaras Mufasa (voice)
2015Driving Miss Daisyas Hoke Colburn
2015Star Wars Rebels: The Siege of Lothalas Darth Vader (voice)
2015August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Standas Self
2014Star Wars Rebelsas Darth Vader (voice)
2014Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellionas Darth Vader (voice)
2014The Angriest Man in Brooklynas Ruben
2013Gimme Shelteras Frank McCarthy
2013Muse of Fireas Self
2013Blackfishas Self (archive footage)
2013Miliusas Self
2012An Amazing Time: A Conversation About End of the Roadas Self
2012Joe Papp in Five Actsas Self
2011Strange Septembers: The Hill Abduction & the Exeter Encounteras Himself
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 Theoryas James Earl Jones
2007Our Paul: Remembering Paul Robesonas Self
2007John, Paul, George and Benas Narrator
2006Searching for Orsonas Self
2006The One Showas Self - Guest
2006Clickas 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)
2006The Trail Of Tears: Cherokee Legacyas Narrator
2005Hollywood's Greatest Villainsas Self
2005The Sandlot 2as Mr. Mertle
2005The Reading Roomas William
2005Star 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
2004Houseas Dibala
2004No Fighting in the War Room Or: 'Dr Strangelove' and the Nuclear Threatas Self
2004Nine Dog Christmasas Storyteller (voice)
2004Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogyas Self
2004The 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 Menas James Earl Jones
2003The Great Yearas Narrator
2003Beneath the Surface: The Making of 'The Hunt for Red October'as Self
2002Everwoodas Will Cleveland
2002Fredericksburg: A Documentary Filmas Narrator
2001Muhammad Ali - Through The Eyes Of The Worldas Self
2001Feast of All Saintsas Older Marcel
2001Recess Christmas: Miracle On Third Streetas Mister (voice)
2001According to Jimas Royal Flush Voice (voice)
2001Finder's Feeas Avery Phillips
2001Disney's American Legendsas Narrator
2000Antietam: A Documentary Filmas Narrator
2000Conan Unchained: The Making of 'Conan'as Self
2000Inside: 'Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb'as Self - 'Lieutenant Lothar Zogg'
2000The Art of Stanley Kubrick: From Short Films to Strangeloveas Self
2000Sidney Poitier: One Bright Lightas
2000Fantasia 2000as Self - Host
1999Santa and Peteas Grandpa Nicholas
1999The Annihilation of Fishas Fish
1999Undercover Angelas The Judge
1999On the Q.T.as Leo
1999Summer's Endas Dr. William 'Bill' Blakely
1999Our Friend, Martinas Daddy King (voice)
1998The Lion King II: Simba's Prideas Mufasa (voice)
1998Will & Graceas James Earl Jones
1998Merlinas Rock of Ages
1998Primary Colorsas CNN Voiceover (voice)
1997Aloneas Grey
1997The Second Civil Waras Jim Kalla
1997What the Deaf Man Heardas Archibald Thacker
1997Gang Relatedas Arthur Baylor
1997Hitler's Forgotten Victimsas Narrator (voice) (DVD version)
1997Casper: A Spirited Beginningas Kibosh (voice)
1997Stargate SG-1as Unas (Voice)
1997Sports on the Silver Screenas Self (archive footage)
1997Good Luckas James Bing
1997Star Wars: The Magic & the Mysteryas Self
1997Afro Promoas Self (archive footage)
1996Timepieceas Lawrence
1996Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigaultas Dr. McDuffie
1996Looking for Richardas Self - Interviewee
1996Corwinas Self
1996A Family Thingas Ray Murdock
19963rd Rock from the Sunas Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
1995Cry, the Beloved Countryas Rev. Stephen Kumalo
1995Who's in Rabbit's House?as Narrator (voice)
1995Judge Dreddas Narrator (uncredited)
1995The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Moviesas Self
1995The Making of 'Jurassic Park'as Host
1995Jefferson in Parisas Madison Hemings
1995Under One Roofas Neb Langston
1995Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Childas King Dakkar (voice)
1995Circle of Life: An Environmental Fableas Mufasa
1995Signs and Wondersas Diamond
1995People: A Musical Celebrationas The Storyteller (voice)
1994Bah, Humbug!: The Story of Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol'as Narrator
1994Touched by an Angelas The Angel of Angels
1994Clear and Present Dangeras Admiral James Greer
1994The Making of the Lion Kingas Self
1994The Lion Kingas Mufasa (voice)
1994The Twilight Zone: Rod Serling's Lost Classicsas Host
1994Clean Slateas John Dolby
1994Africa: The Serengetias Narrator
1994Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insultas James Earl Jones (uncredited)
1994Gangs: Turning the Corneras Self
1994Confessions: Two Faces of Evilas Charles Lloyd
1994The Vernon Johns Storyas Vernon Johns
1993Hallelujahas Old Man Taylor
1993Michael Jackson: Dangerous - The Short Filmsas Self (voice) (uncredited)
1993Frasieras Norman Royster
1993Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Supermanas Franklin Stern
1993Percy & Thunderas Percy Banks
1993The Meteor Manas Earnest Moses
1993Dreamrideras Bill Perry
1993Excessive Forceas Jake
1993The Sandlotas Mr. Mertle
1993Sommersbyas Judge Barry Conrad Issacs
1993Homicide: Life on the Streetas Felix Wilson
1992Lincolnas Narrator (voice)
1992Picket Fencesas Bryant Thomas
1992Sneakersas Mr. Bernard Abbott
1992Patriot Gamesas Adm. James Greer
1992Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Storiesas Narrator (voice)
1992The JFK Conspiracyas Self - Host
1991Pros and Consas Gabriel Bird
1991True Identityas James Earl Jones
1991When It Was a Gameas (voice)
1991Scorchersas Bear
1991Portrait of Castro's Cubaas Host/Narrator
1991Visitors from the Unknownas Narrator (voice)
1991Convictsas Ben Johnson
1990Grim Prairie Talesas Morrison
1990Law & Orderas Defense Attorney Horace McCoy
1990Gabriel's Fireas Gabriel Bird
1990Ivory Huntersas Inspector Nkuru
1990Heat Waveas Junius Johnson
1990Last Flight Outas Al Topping
1990By Dawn's Early Lightas Alice
1990The Ambulanceas Lt. Spencer
1990The Hunt for Red Octoberas Vice ADM James Greer
1990Teach 109as Dr. Winston
1990Terrorgramas Retribution (voice)
1989The Simpsonsas Maggie Simpson (voice)
1989The Simpsonsas Moving Man / Serak the Preparer / Narrator (voice)
1989The Simpsonsas Narrator (voice)
198911-22-63: The Day the Nation Criedas Narrator
1989Best of the Bestas Frank Couzo
1989Field of Dreamsas Terrence Mann
1989Long Ago and Far Awayas Host
1989Three Fugitivesas Dugan
1989Stories to Remember: Noah's Arkas Narrator
1989The Hunting of the Snarkas Narrator (voice)
1988Garfield and Friendsas Diablo
1988Coming to Americaas King Jaffe Joffer
1988Michael Jackson: The Legend Continuesas Narrator (voice)
1987Matewanas 'Few Clothes' Johnson
1987Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Nightas Emperor of the Night (voice)
1987Gardens of Stoneas Sgt. Maj.'Goody' Nelson
1987A House Dividedas
1987Mathnetas Chief Thad Green
1987Mathnetas Chief Thad Green (voice)
1987Mathnetas Chief Thad Greene
1986Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Goldas Umslopogaas
1986Soul Manas Professor Banks
1986L.A. Lawas Lee Atkins
1986My Little Girlas Ike Bailey
1986Aladdin and His Wonderful Lampas Genie / Narrator
1986The Lone Star Kidas Holmes
1985Mosesas Pharaoh
1985City Limitsas Albert
1985Me & Momas
1985Night of 100 Stars IIas Self
1985The Atlanta Child Murdersas Major Walker
1985Visual Pathfinders: Robert Abel & Associatesas
1984The Vegas Strip Waras Jack Madrid
1984Highway to Heavenas Gabe Wilson
1984CBS Schoolbreak Specialas Detective Robb
1984Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Earsas Narrator
1983Reading Rainbowas Self - Narrator (voice)
1983Return of the Jedias Darth Vader (voice)
1982Blood Tideas Frye
1982Amy and the Angelas Gabriel
1982Faerie Tale Theatreas Genie / Narrator (voice)
1982The Flight of Dragonsas Ommadon (voice)
1982Conan the Barbarianas Thulsa Doom
1982Night of 100 Starsas Self
1981Golden Book Video - Beauty and the Beastas Narrator (voice)
1981The Creationas Narrator (voice)
1981The Bushido Bladeas The Prisoner
1981There Was Always Sun Shining Someplace: Life in the Negro Baseball Leaguesas himself, voice
1981Beauty and the Beastas Narrator (voice)
1981God's Trombonesas Narrator (voice)
1980The Golden Moment: An Olympic Love Storyas Dane Oliver
1980The Empire Strikes Backas Darth Vader (voice) (uncredited)
1980The Me Nobody Knowsas Self
1980Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jonesas Father Divine
1979Parisas Woody Paris
1979A Walking Tour of Sesame Streetas Self - Host
1979Roots: The Next Generationsas Alex Haley
1979Paul Robesonas Paul Robeson
1978Black Theatre: The Making of a Movementas Self
1978The Kennedy Center Honorsas Self
1978The Star Wars Holiday Specialas Darth Vader (voice)
1978The Magic of David Copperfieldas
1977The Greatest Thing That Almost Happenedas Morris Bird, Jr.
1977A Piece of the Actionas Joshua Burke
1977The Making of Star Warsas Darth Vader (voice) (uncredited)
1977Exorcist II: The Hereticas Older Kokumo
1977The Last Remake of Beau Gesteas Sheikh
1977Star Warsas Darth Vader (voice) (uncredited)
1977The Greatestas Malcolm X
1977Jesus of Nazarethas Balthazar
1976Swashbuckleras Nick Debrett
1976The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kingsas Leon
1976The River Nigeras Johnny Williams
1975Deadly Heroas Rabbit Shazam
1975The UFO Incidentas Barney Hill
1975Vegetable Soupas Long John Spoilsport
1974The Cayas Timothy
1974Dinah!as Self
1974Claudineas Rupert D. "Roop" Marshall
1974King Learas King Lear
1973The American Film Institute Salute to ...as Self
1973Black Omnibusas Self - Host
1972The Manas Douglass Dilman
1972Malcolm Xas Biographical Narration (voice)
1971Martin Luther King, Jr.: Legacy of a Dreamas Narrator
1971Great Performancesas King Lear
1970The Great White Hopeas Jack Jefferson
1970King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphisas Self (archive footage)
1970End of the Roadas Doctor D
1969Sesame Streetas
1968The Dick Cavett Showas Self - Guest
1967The Comediansas Dr. Magiot
1966Tarzanas
1964Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bombas Lt. Lothar Zogg
1963East Side/West Sideas
1962The Merv Griffin Showas Self
1962The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carsonas Self
1961The Mike Douglas Showas Self
1961The Mike Douglas Showas Self - Co-Host
1961Dr. Kildareas Dr. Lou Rush
1961The Defendersas Lieutenant Andrews
1961The Defendersas Reverend Harris Bonham
1956Tony Awardsas Self (archive footage)
1956Tony Awardsas Self - Nominee
1956Tony Awardsas Self - Nominee / Presenter
1956Tony Awardsas Self - Presenter
1956Tony Awardsas Self - Winner
1956Tony Awardsas Self - Winner / Performer
1951Hallmark Hall of Fameas Archibald Thacker
1948Lamp Unto My Feetas
1944Golden Globe Awardsas Self - Nominee / Presenter
Broadway: The Next Generationas Self

Production

2024Mufasa: The Lion King...In Memory Of