ACTOR · BORN 1931 · DIED 2024
James Earl Jones
- Born
- 17 January 1931, Arkabutla, Mississippi, USA
- Died
- 9 September 2024
- Known for
- Star Wars (1977), The Lion King (1994), The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Return of the Jedi (1983)
78 archived facts 5 topics 1 source Last reviewed Sep 2026
23 Interesting Facts About James Earl Jones
- #001
James Earl Jones described how he was chosen as the voice of Darth Vader: when George Lucas was searching for someone to voice the character, the legendary actor Orson Welles was the first name that came to mind. Lucas, however, felt Welles's voice was too well known and might distract the audience. Instead, he decided to look for a lesser-known actor with a timbre similar to Welles's deep, imposing voice. Jones's unique bass voice had exactly the qualities Lucas was looking for, and so he became the voice of one of cinema history's most unforgettable villains.
- #002
A stutter was a serious obstacle for Jones in his childhood. To overcome it, he began taking acting lessons. Practicing speech on stage allowed him both to learn to control his stutter and to discover his interest in theater, which would later form the foundation of his career. These lessons helped him develop not only as an actor but also as an orator.
- #005
Jones wrote poetry to cope with his stutter, and with his teachers' support he had the chance to read these poems in front of the class. This experience helped him improve his public speaking skills and gain self-confidence. It also nourished his interest in literature. In this way, he built a foundation that would later allow him to make a strong mark in theater and cinema.
- #007
Jones narrated the 2001 documentary 'Black Indians: An American Story.' The documentary examines the racial identity issues of mixed communities of both Native American and African American descent. Because Jones himself shares this heritage, he felt a personal commitment to the subject. The project shows that he was not only an actor but also an artist sensitive to social issues.
- #011
In April 1998, during a live broadcast of an NBA playoff game, it was mistakenly announced that Jones had died. The person who had actually died was James Earl Ray, the assassin of Martin Luther King Jr. The mix-up shows how widely Jones's name was known and the carelessness of the media. After the incident, Jones had to issue a statement to prove he was alive.
- #013
Jones made history as the first African American actor to portray a President of the United States, in the 1972 film 'The Man.' This role revealed not only his acting talent but also his quality as a social pioneer. The film was an important production that challenged the racial prejudices of its time.
- #014
Jones's voicing of Darth Vader ranked 84th on Premiere Magazine's list of the '100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time.' This ranking shows the impact and lasting power of his voice performance in cinema history. Vader's voice played a major role in making the character iconic.
- #016
Jones is the person who voiced the phrase 'This is CNN' used in the channel's branding. This short but striking announcement shows how recognizable and reassuring his voice is. This voiceover became one of the best-known works of his career.
- #017
On October 8, 2002, Jones appeared before the US House Education Reform Subcommittee alongside the puppet character Theo Lion from PBS's 'Between the Lions.' There he spoke about the importance of literacy programs. This action shows the value he placed on education and his sense of social responsibility.
- #021
James Earl Jones appeared alongside Harrison Ford in six films: the three original Star Wars films (1977, 1980, 1983), Patriot Games (1992), Clear and Present Danger (1994) and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019). These collaborations form one of the pair's significant partnerships in cinema history. The dynamic between Ford's Han Solo and Jones's Vader is one of the cornerstones of the Star Wars saga.
- #027
Although Jones played iconic roles in baseball-themed films (The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings, Field of Dreams, The Sandlot) and sang the national anthem at the 1993 MLB All-Star Game, he admits he does not like the sport. This shows his professionalism and commitment to his roles. It also reveals that his acting could conceal his lack of interest in sports.
- #028
A Norwegian rock band paid tribute to Jones by naming themselves 'James Earl Jones Barbershop Explosion!' The name reflects both the power of his voice and his cultural impact. The band's choice is an indication of how widely recognized Jones is internationally.
- #036
Jones was close friends with actor Robert Guillaume and actress Angela Lansbury. These friendships show his standing in the industry and his social relationships. Guillaume and Lansbury were important names in their own fields, and they had a friendship with Jones that lasted for many years.
- #041
James Earl Jones's voice is often confused with the Arby's restaurant chain's 'We have the meats!' advertising campaign, but the person speaking in that ad is actually Ving Rhames. The mix-up shows how recognizable and distinctive Jones's voice is. Although the two actors' vocal tones are similar, the ad does not belong to Jones.
- #042
People using Bell Atlantic payphones would hear James Earl Jones's 'Welcome to Bell Atlantic' announcement, which played just before a female voice asked for a calling card number. Jones's voice was used as an element that lent trust to the telephone service.
- #043
James Earl Jones did not meet David Prowse, who played Darth Vader's physical body, for a long time; the two finally came together in a private meeting in 2012. The encounter was a significant moment for Star Wars fans. Jones and Prowse represented two separate sides of the character.
- #049
James Earl Jones was considered to voice King Haggard in the animated film 'The Last Unicorn' (1982), but the role was given to another voice actor. This shows that Jones was also a sought-after name in the world of animation. Jones nonetheless went on to appear in many animation projects.
- #050
James Earl Jones is a member of the National Rifle Association (NRA). The membership reflects his views on gun rights. Jones has at times stirred controversy with his stance on the issue, but the membership is part of his personal beliefs.
- #053
James Earl Jones appeared alongside actress Madge Sinclair five times. These collaborations show the pair's chemistry on screen. Sinclair formed an especially memorable pairing with Jones in 'Coming to America' and 'The Lion King'.
- #057
In the original Star Wars trilogy, James Earl Jones and Billy Dee Williams were the only Black actors in major roles. Williams had starred in 'Scott Joplin' (1977). Scott Joplin's ragtime music was used in 'The Sting' (1973), which featured Jones's father, Robert Earl Jones. These connections lay bare how small the world of Hollywood is.
- #063
Jones was considered to voice Manny in 'Ice Age' (2002), but the role went to Ray Romano. The situation shows that Jones was also in demand in the world of animation. Jones nonetheless went on to appear in many animated projects.
- #066
Jones currently lives in Pawling, in Dutchess County, New York. The quiet area allows him to find peace away from city life. Jones continues his artistic work while living there.
- #069
Jones was considered to voice the title character in 'The Iron Giant' (1999). The role, however, went to another voice actor. The situation shows how sought-after Jones was in the world of animation. Jones nonetheless went on to appear in many animated projects.
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