Born January 17, 1931, in Arkabutla, Miss., James Earl Jones was raised by his grandparents in Michigan. Although he attended college to study medicine, he never gave up his dream of being an actor.After a stint in the Army, he enrolled at New York's American Theatre Wing. He won a Tony for his work in "The Great White Hope," a role he later reprised in the 1970 film, for which he received a Best Actor Oscar nomination. His screen debut came as Lt. Zogg in Dr. Strangelove (1964). With his authoritative booming voice, Jones received in 1977 what may be his most memorable role, as the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars.
In the 1990s, Jones appeared as Admiral James Greer in films based on Tom Clancy novels -- The Hunt for Red October (1990), Patriot Games (1992) and Clear and Present Danger (1994). His voice work continued in 1994 when he played Mufasa in the animated classic The Lion King.
Cry, the Beloved CountryShot in the aftermath of Nelson Mandela's election, this film adaptation of South African author Alan Paton's novel tells the story of two men -- one black, one white -- who must cope with family tragedy in the apartheid era. Rural minister Stephen Kumalo (James Earl Jones) travels to Johannesburg... Read More
The Sandlot 2Ten years after a quirky group of boys first gathered in the titular sandlot to play America's favorite pastime, a new generation of baseball enthusiasts has formed -- and this time, they've even agreed to let three girls join the team! Things go well for the young players until a run-in with... Read More
The Vernon Johns StorySpurred to action when two parishioners are brutally attacked in racially motivated incidents, church deacon Vernon Johns uses his power and charisma to begin the battle for equality that will reverberate for decades. James Earl Jones delivers a tour-de-force performance as Johns, who's now... Read More
By Dawn's Early LightBased on a book by William Prochnau, this tense drama catches the superpowers -- the United States and Russia -- at the thaw of the Cold War. Relations appear to be improving, until a renegade arm of the military decides to bomb a Russian town. Almost immediately, the two countries retreat to their... Read More
The Great White HopeAfter defeating the reigning champ, boxer Jack Jefferson (James Earl Jones) becomes the world's first black heavyweight champion. But the celebration is short-lived, as Jack is arrested trying to cross a state line with his white girlfriend (Jane Alexander). Sentenced to prison for violating the... Read More
