James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones (born Todd Jones) was born on  January 17, 1931 in Arkabutla, Tate Co.,  Mississippi to Robert Earl Jones (a former prize fighter, actor - The Sting as Luther Coleman, and activist - summarily blacklisted for the latter) and Ruth Connolly Jones (his parents separated before his birth).  Jones also has a younger brother, Matthew Earl Jones, president and co-founder of Earl Jones Institute for Film & Television.  He was raised by his grandparents (his grandfather, he recounts, was his hero) and his mother, in Arkabutla, on a farm that had been his his family since Reconstruction.  When Jones was five his family moved to a farm in Michigan and the move had seemingly detrimental effects on him.  Mr. Jones struggled with a major stutter from that time forward, so severe that he refused to talk for eight years.  It was one of his teachers at Brethren, MI High School, Donald Crouch, who noticed Jones had a gift for poetry (Jones wrote instead of spoke) and encouraged him to read his poetry out loud.  Mr. Crouch actually pretended to believe that Jones hadn't written the poem, Ode to Grapefruit,  himself and challenged him to prove it by reading aloud to the class, which he did with great success (the stutter disappeared).  This was enough to motivate Jones to do a great many things, this wonderful teacher had encouraged him in such a way that he went on to win debates and even a scholarship to the University of Michigan.

It may interest some people to know that Mr. Jones is part Cherokee through his maternal grandmother

During his high school years at Brethren, MI High School he was an outstanding student that excelled in forensics and athletics (especially track). Jones started out as a stage carpenter in high school for the local productions at Ramsdell Theatre (Michigan), until it was found out that Jones wanted to act, they let him have a go and the results were terrific.  In addition to spending four summers with the acting group at Ramsdell, he held many jobs with them: master carpenter, Assistant Stage Manager and Stage Manager, directed a Children's Theatre play and acted in twenty-eight productions.  Jones graduated from MI High School in 1949 and went on to attend the University of Michigan with a plan to study medicine (pre-med), but found that theatre's call was greater.  He graduated Cum Laude, 1953, with a B.A. degree in drama.  Jones had a brief engagement, two years, as an Army Ranger after college.

After completing his Army commitment he made his way to New York and studied with the American Theatre Wing and performing with the New York Shakespeare Festival where he starred in more than thirty productions.

Mr. Jones has had a wide range of roles in his long and productive career, as is evident with the lists below, and has won awards from the Academy to the Tony.  He has one of the most recognizable voices in film history and his work literally speaks volumes.

Mr. Jones was married to actress Julienne Marie (div) and is married now to Cecilia Hart (1982- present), they currently reside in Pawling, New York on a quiet farm.

 

 

Film

Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odyssey~2009 - The Professor

Searching for Orson~2006 (documentary) - Interviewee

The Clinton 12~2006 - narrator

The Hunting of the Snark~2006 - narrator

Click~2006 - Commentary narrator on the Special Features part of the remote

Short film for Dynamic Earth Exhibit~2006 - narrator

Broadway's Lost Treasures Collection~2006 -  (V) Jones in his Tony Award-winning performance as in the Great White Hope (1969)

Scary Movie 4~2006 - cameo

Perseverance and the American Dream~200? - Himself

Conan: The Rise of a Fantasy Legend~2005 - (special thanks) (V)

By Any Means Necessary: The Making of Malcolm X~2005 - Narrator

Robots~2005 - Voicebox at Hardware Store (see Actor Connections - Film) Note: also a Star Wars reference

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith~2005 (voice) - Darth Vader 

Sandlot 2, The~2005 - Mr. Mertle

SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, The~2004 - cameo in trailer (see Actor Connections - Film)

Black Indians: An American Story~2001 - Narrator

Papp Project, The~2001 - Himself

Walking With Dinosaurs~2000 - Narrator

Finder's Fee~2000 - Avery Phillips

When Willows Touch~2000

Antietam: A Documentary Drama~2000 (voice) - Narrator

On the Q.T.~1999 -  Leo

Undercover Angel~1999 -  The Judge (cameo)

Our Friend, Martin~1999 (V) (voice) - Daddy King

Quest for Atlantis~1999 - The Judge

Fantasia 2000~1999 - Host (segment - Carnival of the Animals)

Santa and Pete~1999 - Grandpa Nicholas

Annihilation of Fish, The~1999 - Fish

New York City...Come Visit the World~1998

Lion King II: Simba's Pride, The~1998 (V) (voice) - Mufasa

Primary Colors~1998 (voice) - CNN Voiceover

Casper: A Spirited Beginning~1997 (V) (voice) - Kibosh

Gang Related~1997 - Arthur Baylor

Good Luck~1997 (uncredited) - James Bing

Looking for Richard~1996 - Himself

Family Thing, A~1996 - Ray Murdock

Cry, the Beloved Country~1995 - Reverend Stephen Kumalo

Judge Dredd~1995 (voice) (uncredited) -Narrator

Jefferson in Paris~1995 - Madison Hemings

Clean Slate~1994 - John Dolby

Twister: A Ritual Reality~1994 (V) (archive footage) - Applause

Clear and Present Danger~1994 - Admiral James Greer, Deputy Director of Intelligence CIA

Lion King, The~1994 (voice) - Mufasa

Africa: The Serengeti~1994 (voice) - Narrator

Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult~1994 (uncredited) - Himself

Dreamrider~1993 - William Perry

Meteor Man, The~1993 - Mr. Moses

Sandlot, The~1993 - Mr. Mertle

Sommersby~1993 - Judge Isaacs

Excessive Force~1992 - Jake

The Prince Of Light: The Legend Of Ramayana~1992 - Narrator (see Actor Connections - Film)
Second Coming, The1992 - Narrator

Sneakers~1992 - Bernard Abbott

Patriot Games~1992 - Admiral Greer

Scorchers~1991 - Bear

True Identity~1991 - Himself

Convicts~1990 - Ben Johnson

Grim Prairie Tales~1990 - Morrison

Ambulance, The~1990 - Lieutenant Spencer

Heat Wave~1990 - Junius Johnson

Hunt for Red October, The~1990 - Admiral James Greer

Field of Dreams~1989 - Terence Mann

Best of the Best~1989 - Coach Couzo

Hunting of the Snark, The~1989 - Narrator

Three Fugitives~1989 - Dugan

Lone Star Kid~1988 - Dugan

Michael Jackson: The Legend Continues~1988 (V) - Himself/Narrator

Terrorgram~1988 (voice)

Coming to America~1988 - King Jaffe Joffer

Allan Quartermain and the Lost City of Gold~1987 (voice) - Emperor of the Night

Matewan~1987 - 'Few Clothes' Johnson

Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night~1987 - Emperor of the Night

My Little Girl~1986 - Ike Bailey

Soul Man~1986 - Professor Banks

City Limits~1985 - Albert

Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi~1983 (voice) - Darth Vader

Blood Tide~1982 - Frye

Flight of Dragons, The~1982 - Ommadon, the Red Wizard

Conan the Barbarian~1982 - Thulsa Doom

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back~1980 (voice) (uncredited) - Darth Vader

Bushido Blade, The~1979 - Harpooner

Black Theatre: The Making of a Movement~1978 - Himself

Piece of the Action, A~1977 - Joshua Burke

Last Remake of Beau Geste, The~1977 - Sheikh

Greatest, The~1977 - Malcolm X

Exorcist II: The Heretic~1977 - Older Kokumo

Star Wars~1977 (voice) - Darth Vader

Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings, The~1976 - Leon Carter (see Actor Connections - Film)

Deadly Hero~1976 - Rabbit

River Niger, The~1976 - Johnny Williams

Swashbuckler~1976 - Nick Debrett

Claudine~1974 - Roop

Malcolm X~1972 (voice) - Biographical Narration

Man, The~1972 - Douglass Dilman

End of the Road~1970 - Doctor D

Great White Hope, The~1970 - Jack Jefferson

King: A Filmed Record...Montgomery to Memphis~1970 - commentator

The Great White Hope~1969 -

Comedians in Africa, The~1967 (uncredited) - Himself

Comedians, The~1967 - Dr Magiot Dr Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb~1964 - Lieutenant Lothar Zogg, Bombardier (see Actor ConnectionsDr Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb~1964 - Lieutenant Lothar Zogg, Bombardier - Film)

Dr. Strangelove or How I learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb~1964 - Lt. Lothar Zogg

 

Film Other

Money: History In Your Hands~2005 - narrator

 

IMAX

2004: A Light Knight's Odyssey<Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odyssey~2006 (voice) -  The Professor (see Actor Connections - IMAX)

 

TV 

AFI 100 Years...100 Cheers: America's Most Inspiring Movies~2006 - Himself 6/14/06

The Reading Room~2005 - Widower William Campbell 11/2005

Getaway~1992 - Himself in Found (#14.20) 6/23/05

AFI Tribute to George Lucas~2005 - Himself/Narrator

59th Annual Tony Awards~2005 - Nominee and Presenter

Speaking Freely~2005 - interview

Magic 7, The~2005 - 5-Toe

Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson~2005 (mini)  -  Himself (see Actor Connections - TV)

According to Jim~2001 - voice of Royal Flush XP toilet in The Toilet (#3.24) 4/27/04

Nine Dog Christmas: The Movie~2004 - narrator

Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony~2004 - Narrator (NBC)

Great Year, The~2004-  Narrator

Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy~2004 - Himself

Everwood~2002 - Will Cleveland in The Tipping Point (#3.8) 11/15/04 (see Actor Connections - TV) 

Noz & Grakk: Alien Abductors~2003 - Tobot the Robot

Brilliant But Cancelled~2002  -  Himself

Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts, The~2002  -  Himself (honoree)

Perfect Pitch, The~2002  -  Himself

Beauty and the Beast: The Story Behind the Story~2002 (V) -  Host

Inside TV Land: African Americans in Television~2002  -  Himself

Disney's American Legends~2001 (V) -  Host

Black Indians: An American Story~2001 -  Narrator

Papp Project, The~2001 -  Himself

Muhammad Ali: Through the Eyes of the World~2001

Ennis' Gift~2000 -  Himself

Tina Turner: One Last Time Live in Concert~2000 (V) (voice) -  Announcer

Antietam: A Documentary Drama~2000 (voice) -  Narrator

Inside the Making of Dr. Strangelove~2000 (V) -  Himself

Art of Stanley Kubrick: From Short Films to Strangelove, The~2000 (V) -  Himself

Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light~2000  (uncredited) -  Himself

Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony~2000 - Narrator (NBC)

Howard Stern Radio Show~1998 - Himself 11/6/99

In Search of Liberty Bell 7~1999  (voice) - Narrator

AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies~1998 - Himself

Simpsons, The~1989 - 

    Narrator for Das Bus (#9.14) 2/15/98

    Moving Man/Serak the Preparer/Narrator in Tree House of Horrors, The (# 2.3) 10/25/90 

Summer's End~1998  - Dr. William Blakely

Merlin~1998  (voice) - Mountain King

Recess~1997 - Santa Claus in Yes, Mikey, Santa Does Shave 1998

Alone~1997  - Grey

What the Deaf Man Heard~1997  (voice) - Archibald Thacker

Homicide: Life on the Street~1993 - Felix Wilson in Blood Ties: Part 3, 2 and 1 (#6.2) 10/31/1997 , (#6.2) 10/24/97, (#6.1) 10/17/97

Stargate SG-1~1997 - voice of Unas in Thor's Hammer (#1.10) 9/26/97

Frasier~1993 - Norman in Roz's Krantz & Gouldenstein are Dead (#4.15) 3/11/97

Touched by an Angel~1994 - Angel of Angels in Clipped Wings (#3.19) 2/16/97

Second Civil War, The~1997  - Jim Calla

Howard Stern~1994 - Himself 7/1/96

Timepiece~1996  - Lawrence

Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault~1996  - Dr McDuffie

3rd Rock from the Sun~1996  series (uncredited) - Narrator

Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child~1995  series - The Frog Prince

Signs and Wonders~1995  mini series - Diamond

Under One Roof~1995  series - Neb Langston

Bah, Humbug!: The Story of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol~1994  - Narrator/Ebenezer Scrooge

Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman~1993 - Franklin W. Stern in  House of Luthor, The (#1.21) 5/8/94

Late Show with David Letterman~1993 - Himself 1/5/94

Lion King: A Musical Journey with Elton John, The~1994  - Himself

Twilight Zone: Rod Serling's Lost Classics~1994  - Host

Confessions: Two Faces of Evil~1994  - Charles Lloyd

Vernon Johns Story, The~1994  - Vernon Johns

Simpsons~1989 -  Margaret 'Maggie' Simpson in Treehouse of Horror V (#6.6) 10/30/94

Picket Fences~1992 - Bryant Thomas in System down (#2.18) 4/1/94

Late Show with David Letterman~1993 - Himself 10/29/93

Late Show with David Letterman~1993 - Himself 10/13/93

Hallelujah~1993  - Old Man Taylor

Percy & Thunder~1993  - Percy

Law & Order~1990 - Horace McCoy in Profile (#4.4) 10/13/1993

Lincoln: I Want to Finish this Job~1992  - Narrator

Diamonds on the Silver Screen~1992 - Narrator

When It Was a Game~1991 (voice-over)

Pros and Cons~1991  series - Gabriel Bird

When It Was a Game~1991  (voice) - Himself

Mathnet~1987 - Chief Thad Green in Despair in Monterey Bay (#4.2) 1991

By Dawn's Early Light~1990 - Looking Glass General - 'Alice' (Thanks to Tom Earley for this credit!)

Gabriel's FIre~1990  series - Gabriel Bird

Last Flight Out~1990  - Al Topping

Ivory Hunters~1990  - Inspector Nkuru

By Dawn's Early Light~1990  - Alice

Simpsons~1989 - Moving man/Serak the Preparer/narrator in The Tree House of Horrors (#2.3) 10/25/90

11-22-63: The Day the Nation Cried~1989 - Host

Mathnet~1987 - Chief Thad Green in Despair in Monterey Bay (#4.2) 1991 and 1987-88

L.A. Law~1986 - Lee Atkins in 

    Victor/Victorious (#3.9) 1/19/89

    Chariots of Meyer(#3.9) (#2.20) 5/5/88

Garfield and Friends~1988 (voice)

Highway to Heaven~1984 - Gabe Wilson in Song of Songs, A (#3.16) 1/21/1987

Gardens of Stone~1987  series - 'Goody' Nelson

Square One TV~1987  series - Thad Green in '1987' 1987

Faerie Tale Theater~1982 - The Genie in Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp (#5.1) 7/14/1986

Me and Mom~1985  series - Lou Garfield

Atlanta Child Murders,The~1985  mini series - Major Walker

Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp~1984  - Genie of the Lamp/Genie of the Ring

Vegas Strip War, The~1984  - Jack Madrid

Reading Rainbow~1983 - Himself in Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain (#1.4) 1983

Faerie Tale Theater~1982  series - Henry Hudson (Rip Van Winkle)

Paris~1979  series - Detective Captain Woodrow 'Woody' Paris (1979-80)

Amy and the Angel~1981  - The Angel Gabriel

Golden Moment: An Olympic Love Story, The~1980  - Dane Oliver

Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones~1980  - Father Divine

Roots: The Next Generations~1979  series - Alex Haley

Paul Robeson~1978 

Star Wars Holiday Special, The~1978  (voice) - Darth Vader

Circus of the Stars #2~1977 

Greatest Thing That Almost Happened, The~1977  - Morris Bird, Jr.

Jesus of Nazareth~1977  mini series - Balthazar

Vegetable Soup~1976  series - Long John Soilsport

UFO Incident, The~1975  - Barney Hill

Cay, The~1974  - Timothy

Great Performances~1972 - King Lear in: King Lear 1974

Black Omnibus~1973  series - Host 1973

What's My Line?~1968 -  Mystery Guest 11/25/70

N.Y.P.D.~1967 - in Candy Man: Part 1 (#2.17) 2/11/69

Sesame Street~1969 1969

Tarzan~1966 - Chief Bella in To Steal the Rising Sun (#1.24) 2/24/67

As the World Turns~1956  series - Dr Jerry Turner 1966

Dr. Kildare~1961 - Dr. Lou Rush in: 

    These Hands That Heal (#5.42) 2/1/66

    Adrift in a Sea of Confusion (#5.40) 1/31/66

    Gratitude Won't Pay the Bills (#5.39) 1/25/66

    A Cry From the Street (#5.38) 1/24/66

Guiding Light, The~1952  series - Dr Jim Frazier (#2) 1966

Defenders, The~1961 - Reverend Harris Bonham in Non-Violent, The (#3.33) 6/3/1964

 

Channing~1963 - Dr. Peter Cooke in Freedom is a Lovesome Thing God Wot (#1.21) 3/4/64

East Side/West Side~1963 - Joe in Who Do You Kill? (#1.7) 11/4/63

Look Up and Live~1954 - Book in Room For Death 2/24/63

Defenders, The~1961 - Andrews in Along Came a Spider (#1.31) 5/5/62

 

TV Director

The Big Walk?

 

Channing~1963 - Dr. Peter Cooke in Freedom is a Lovesome Thing God Wot (#1.21) 3/4/64

East Side/West Side~1963 - Joe in Who Do You Kill? (#1.7) 11/4/63

Look Up and Live~1954 - Book in Room For Death 2/24/63

Defenders, The~1961 - Andrews in Along Came a Spider (#1.31) 5/5/62

 

Commercials

Casino Morongo~2004 (California - near Palm Springs)

Chrysler 

CNN

Fisher (Audio Products)

Goodyear Vector Tires

Verizon (radio/TV)

Bell Atlantic

Poughkeepsie Day School (NY)

Wells Lamont Gloves

Ruben's Dinners (restaurant chain)

 

Radio

God's Trombones: The Creation~2005 - narrator

Speaking Freely~2005 - interview

Diane Rhem Show~2004 - Himself (interview)

NPR~2004 - Himself (interview)

Preston & Steve Show (Philadelphia, PA - Y100)~2004 - Himself

A People's History of the United States~2003 - participant/reader as Frederick Douglass (on Democracy Now!)

Remembering Slavery~1999 - participant

 

Theater

Thurgood~2006 - Thurgood Marshall (Westport Country Playhouse, Westport, CT)

On Golden Pond~2004 - Norman Thayer Jr. (Cort Theatre, NY; Dupont Theatre, Wilmington, VT; Washington DC)

Fences~1987 -Troy Maxson (46th Street Theatre, NY)

Master Harold and the Boys~1982 - Sam (replacement for Zakes Mokae) (Lyceum Theatre, NY)

Othello~1984 - Othello (New York Shakespeare Festival, New York, NY)

Othello~1982 -  Othello (Winter Garden Theatre, NY)  (see Actor Connections - Theatre)

Othello~1981 - Othello  (Parker Playhouse, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida) (see Actor Connections - Theatre)

Lesson from Aloes, A~1980 - Steve Daniels (Playhouse Theatre, NY)

Paul Robeson~1978 - Paul Robeson (Lunt-Fontaine Theatre, NY; Booth Theater, NY)

Of Mice and Men~1974-5 - Lennie (Brooks Atkinson Theatre, NY)

Hamlet~1973

Iceman Cometh, The~1973 - Theodore "Hickey" Hickman (Circle in the Square Theatre, NY)

King Lear~1973/4 - King Lear (New York Shakespeare Festival, NY)  (see Actor Connections - Theatre)

Cherry Orchard, The~1973

Othello~1971 - Othello (Mark Taper Forum, Los Angeles, CA) (Thanks to Jordan for this credit!)

 

Boesman & Lena~1970 - Boesman

Les Blancs~1970 - Tshembe Matoseh (Longacre Theatre, NY)

Great White Hope, The~1969 - Jack Jefferson (Alvin Theatre, NY)

Othello~1968 - Othello (Goodman Theatre,  Chicago, IL)

Of Mice and Men~1967 - (Experimental Theatre, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN) (with his father Robert Earl Jones)

Wedding in Japan~ - (American Theatre, New York)

Hand Is on the Gate, A~1966 - (Longacre Theatre, NY)

Danton's Death~1965 - (Vivian Beaumont Theatre, NY)

Baal~1965 - Ekart

Emperor Jones, The~1964 - (tour Europe ending at the Edinburgh Festival, Scotland)

Othello~1963-4 - Othello (new York Shakespeare Festival, NY)

Infidel Caesar~1962 - Cinna (Music Box Theatre, NY) (with his father Robert Earl Jones)
Blacks, The~1961-2 - 

Clandestine on the Morning Line~1962

Apple, The~1962

Macbeth~1962 - (New York Shakespeare Festival, NY)

Moon on a Rainbow Shawl~1962

Cool World, The~1960 - Harrison Thurston (Eugene O'Neil Theatre, NY)

King Henry V~1960 - Williams
Sunrise at Campobello~1958-9 - Edward (Cort Theatre, NY)

Othello~1956 - Othello (Manistee Civic Theatre, Manistee, Michigan)

 

CD's

Procussions: 5 Sparrows for 2 Cents~2006 - guest hook on the Brazilian-influenced "American Fado"

The American Christmas Carol~2005 - narrator

Golden Slumbers, A Father's Love~2005 - reader/participant

The People Speak CD : American Voices, Some Famous, Some Little Known, from Columbus to the Present~2004

Thanks and Giving: Teeny Meany~2004 - narrator ( benefiting St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital)

 

Audio Books

People Could Fly: American Black Folktales, The~2000

Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey, The~2000 (audio)

James Earl Jones Reads the Bible~2000 (audio)

James Earl Jones Mulmed Bible~1998 software

KJV New Testament~1996 Reader

Poetry Out Loud~1995 - reader

James Earl Jones: Voices and Silences~1994

The Art of the Lion King~1994

Noah's Ark~1992 (audio)

We Hold These Truths~1991 (audio)

Dream Awake, The~1991

Native Son~1989 (audio)

Contest Problem Book III 1969-72~1973

 

Audio Plays

Are You Now or Have You Ever Been~ - (see Actor Connections - Theatre)

Babbitt~ - (see Actor Connections - Theatre)

 

Online

Listen to This with James Earl Jones (Verizon sponsored)~2005 - The Raven; The Gettysburg Address; Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. 10/2005; 1/2005; 12/2005

 

Live Appearances/Performances

Jazz in Our Time~2007 - Host (Kennedy Center, New York, NY)

One World: A Spectacular Global Celebration~2006 - Himself (New York City Center, New York, US)

August in February~2006 - reader (Pittsburgh, PA)

"Speaker"~2006 - speaker (Byham Theatre (Perry Traditional Academy, Pittsburgh, PA)

Boston Symphony presents John Williams~2006 - Narrator of the Star Wars Suite 8/12/06 (Tanglewood, Boston, MA)

Penn State University~2006 - Speaker (Eisenhower Auditorium, Penn State University,  State College, Pennsylvania)

National Association of Independent Schools People of Color Conference~2005 - Featured speaker (Hyatt Regency, Dallas, TX)

SCORES After School Program~2005 - Guest for students (Denver, CO)

Conversations in the Arts: Up Close With ...~2005 - Himself/Speaker 2/16/06 (Columbia College, Chicago, IL)

Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Celebration~2006 - Keynote Speaker 1/13/06 (Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD)

Campbell Park Elementary School~2005 - reading Casey at the Bat 9/13/05 (St. Petersburg, FL)

Devil Rays vs. Yankees game~2005 - Reciting National Anthem 9/13/05 (St. Petersburg, FL)

Distinguished Speaker Series~2005 - speaker 9/22/05  (Penn State University, PA)

Ebony Outstanding Women in Marketing and Communications Awards~2005 - presenter

Oxonian Society~2005 - Himself/speaking on race 1/24/05 (New York, NY)

Shakespeare in the Minority Key~2005 - Himself (Ashland University, Ashland, OH)

Barnes & Noble~2004 - Himself (Barnes & Noble, Lincoln Centre, New York, NY)

The Culture Quest: How Culture Affects Us and How We Affect Culture~2004 - Himself, renowned speaker (Bergen Community College, Bergen, NJ)

Culture Quest: How Culture Affects Us and How We Affect Culture, The

An Evening with James Earl Jones~2004 - Himself (Missouri Repertory Theatre, Kansas City, MO)

Albion College's Opening Convocation~2002 - Himself (Albion College, Albion, MI)
Ithaca College Commencement Speech~2002 - Himself (Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY)

UJA-Federation of NY~2002 - Emcee of benefit dinner

An Evening with James Earl Jones~2001 - Himself (University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA)

Fanfare~2001 - Himself (Southeastern Louisiana University Arts Festival, Hammond, LA)

International Poetry Forum~2000 - The Voice (Pittsburgh, PA)

MLK Community Celebration~2000 - Himself, keynote speaker (Austin, TX)

Founder's Day Convocation: The Necessary Arts - From Fishing Lures to Fine Arts~1997 - Himself, speaker (Wait Chapel, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC)

God Speaks~1982 - reader with choir (Calvary Episcopal Church, Shadyside, Pittsburgh, PA)

 

Books 

James Earl Jones Reads the Bible~2000  by James Earl Jones

People Could Fly : American Black Folktales, The~2000 by Virginia Hamilton, et al

Native Son~1989 by Richard Wright, James Earl Jones

They Can't Hide Us Anymore~2000 by Richie Havens, et al

Othello (Everyman Paperback Classics)   by William Shakespeare, et al  

Poetry Out Loud~1996 by Robert Alden Rubin (Editor), James Earl Jones (Introduction)    

Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey, The~2000 with Other and CD (Audio)  by Susan Wojciechowski, et al

Lorraine Hansberry Collection~2001 by James Earl Jones (Editor), et al

James Earl Jones~1999   by Judy Hasday

James Earl Jones (Overcoming Adversity)~1999  by Judy L. Hasday

James Earl Jones Mulmed Bible~1998

The Bond: People and Their Animals~1997 by Roger Caras - Jones is photographed with his 

Contest Problem Book III : Annual High School Contest 1966-1972 : Of the Mathematical Association of America : Society of Actuaries : Mu Alpha Theta~1973 by Charles T. Salkind, James Earl Jones     

James Earl Jones : Voices and Silences~1994  by James Earl Jones 

Art of the Lion King, The~1994 by Christopher Finch, James Earl Jones          

Dream Awake, The~1991 by James Earl Jones

Noah's Ark~1992 by Peter Spier (Illustrator), James Earl Jones 

 

Magazines

Antietam Review~2005 - on the cover

 

Video Games

Kingdom Hearts~2006 - Mufasa (see Actor Connections - Video Games)

Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun~1999 - General Solomon

Under a Killing Moon~2000 - Voice of Big P.I. in the Sky

Under a Killing Moon~1994 - The Big P.I. in the Sky

Star Wars~1983 (voice) - Darth Vader 

Star Wars Interactive Video Board Game~1978 - Darth Vader

 

Other

Celebration III Darth Vader Action Figure~2005 - voice of Darth Vader

 

Awards and nominations:

Academy Awards:

Nom  1970  The Great White Hope

Annie Glenn Awards (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association)

Rec'd 1987 for contributions in helping others with speech and hearing disorders (first recipient of this award)

Cable Ace Awards:

Rec'd 1991 Actor in a Movie or Mini-Series Heatwave

Nom 1987 Actor in a Comedy Series for Faerie Tale Theatre: Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp

Daytime Emmy

Rec'd 2000 Outstanding Performer in a Children's Series for Summer's End

Drama Desk Awards:

Rec'd 1965 Othello (Vernon Rice Award)

Rec'd 1969 The Great White Hope

Rec'd 1971 Les Blancs

Rec'd 1973  The Cherry Orchard AND Hamlet

DVD Exclusive Awards:

Rec'd 2003 DVDX Award for Best Actor in a DVD Premiere Movie for Finder's Fee

Emmy Awards:

Nom 2004 Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for Everwood as Will Cleveland

Nom 1997  Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for Frasier: Roz's Krantz and Gouldenstein Are Dead

Nom 1995  Outstanding Supporting Actor in a drama Series Under One Roof (pilot) Daddy's Girl

Nom 1994 Outstanding Guest actor in a Drama Series  Picket Fences System Down

Rec'd 1991 Heat Wave

Nom 1990 Outstanding supporting Actor in a Mini Series or Special  By Dawn's Early Light as Alice

Rec'd 1990 Gabriel's Fire

Nom  1964 Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor East Side/West Side Who Do You Kill?

Flanders International Film Festival:

Rec'd 1995 Joseph Plateau Lifetime Achievement Award

Golden Globes:

Nom 1992 Best Performance by an Actor in a TV-Series - Drama for Pros and Cons

Nom 1991 Best Performance by an Actor in a TV-Series - Drama Gabriel's Fire

Nom 1975 Best Motion Picture Actor - Musical/Comedy Claudine

Rec'd 1971 Most Promising Newcomer - Male for The Great White Hope

Nom 1971 Best Motion Picture Actor - Drama for The Great White Hope

Rec'd 1971 Historic Award - New Male Star of the Year in a Motion Picture The Great White Hope

Grammy's:

Nom         for spoken word for The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey

Rec'd 1976 (shared with: Helen Hayes, Orson Welles and Henry Fonda) for best spoken word recording - Great American Documents

Independent Spirit Awards:

Nom 1988 Best Supporting Male for Matewan

Joseph Plateau Awards:

Rec'd 1995 Joseph Plateau Life Achievement Award

Kennedy Center Honors

Rec'd 2002 Life Achievement

Los Angeles Critics Circle Awards:

Rec'd 19?? for Fences

Method Fest:

Rec'd 2001 Lifetime Achievement Award

National Board of Review:

Rec'd 1995 Career Achievement Award

National Medal of Arts:

Rec'd 1992 award

NAACP Awards (Image Awards):

Nom 1998 Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for Frasier

Nom 1996 Lead Actor in a Motion Picture for Cry, The Beloved Country

Nom Outstanding Performance in an Animated/Live Action/Dramatic Children's Series/Special for Happily Ever After: Fairytales for Every Child

Rec'd Image Hall of Fame Award

Norman Peale Award:

Rec'd 2006 Norman Peale Award for Positive Thinking "recognizes individuals whose lives exemplify the power of thinking positively, with faith, deep caring for people, and a dedicated commitment to improving our world."

Obie's (Off Broadway):

Rec'd 1962  Best Actor The Blacks

Rec'd 1962 - Best actor Clandestine on the Morning Line, The Apple, and Moon on a Rainbow Shawl

Rec'd 1965  Distinguished Performances in Baal

Screen Actor's Guild (SAG) Award:

Nom 1996 Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Lead Role for Cry, The Beloved Country

Theatre World Awards:

Rec'd 1962 Most Promising Personality for Moon on a Rainbow Shawl

Tony Awards:

Nom 2005 Best Performance by a Leading Actor for On Golden Pond

Rec'd 1987 Fences

Rec'd 2 1968 Great White Hope

Nom- 1994 Picket Fences

 

Miscellany

200? - Detroit, IL - Received key to the city from Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick

 

2005 - Teamed up with The Ravens and Verizon to promote the Baltimore Reads program - Reginald F. Lewis Museum

 

2005 - Designed a lunchbox (Star Wars themed) for Food Bank of New York charity.

 

 

Mr. Jones was mistakenly announced as dead by the Pittsburgh Pirates radio commentator Lanny Frattare...it was James Earl Ray that had died.

 

When he got a CB radio some time ago his handle was Darth Vader.

 

The theatre at the Poughkeepsie Day School is named "The James Earl Jones Theatre"

 

2005 - Lansing, Michigan.  Walk of Fame

 

2005 - Calendar: Mississippi Scenic Wall Calendar (JEJ's birthday is noted in January)

 

2005 - According to a survey (conducted by StrategyOne on behalf of Microsoft Corp.'s Automotive Business Unit) , consumers are ready to embrace James Bond's car of the future today - and the majority of them trust a software company such as Microsoft to be their co-pilot.  If consumers could give their high-tech car a voice, their top choice would be former 007 Sean Connery's famous Scottish brogue. Their second choice would be that of actor James Earl Jones' Darth Vader.

 

Made a special appearance at Fletcher-Johnson Education Center in Southeast DC for DC SCORES 10th Anniversary (11/17/04) - reading some of his favorite poems.

 

A member of the Horatio Alger Association

 

Played with the New York Shakespeare Festival for seven years

 

Member of the Manistee Summer Theatre Company at the Ramsdell Theatre in 1953, 1955, 1956 and 1957

 

Received honorary doctorates of Fine Arts from Princeton, Yale and the University of Michigan.

Jones was paid $2500 for his voice-work in Star Wars

 

Noted for his deep voice

 

¤Narrates a short film called The Mississippi River at the Riverpark Museum   in Tunica, MS

 

¤Narrates a short film presented at the Louisville Slugger Museum in Louisville, KY. (much to my surprise and delight!)

 

¤Narrates a short film that is anti SDI (Strategic Defense Initiative, AKA: Star Wars)

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Nerf-Herders-Anonymous is a fan operated web site dedicated to Star Wars actors, art, references and all related items. Star Wars, its characters and related Star Wars items © Lucasfilm Limted and its subsidiaries (Lucas Digital, Skywalker Sound, Lucas Arts Entertainment Company, etc.)  Illustrations, and related content © 1992 - present to Nerf-Herders-Anonymous and L. Mangue.