James Earl Jones
Birth Place: Arkabutla, MS, USA
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BIO
Born on January 17, 1931 in Arkabutla, Mississippi, Jones's career in acting began after he graduated from the University of Michigan where he studied drama. Over the years, he became renowned for his deep, resonant voice and commanding presence, which earned him critical acclaim and a place in the hearts of audiences around the world.
Perhaps best known for providing the voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars series, a role that made him an integral part of one of the most enduring franchises in cinematic history, Jones's influence extended far beyond the galaxies of Star Wars. His portrayal of characters across a range of genres showcased his versatility and depth as an actor.
James Earl Jones made his Broadway debut in 1957 and has won Tony Awards for the Broadway productions of The Great White Hope and Fences; a Tony nomination for On Golden Pond; Drama Desk Awards for Othello, Les Blancs, Hamlet, The Cherry Orchard and Fences; Obie Awards for Clandestine on the Morning Line, The Apple, Moon on a Rainbow Shawl and Baal; a Theatre World Award for Moon on a Rainbow Shawl; the Los Angeles Critics Circle Award for Fences; and an Olivier Award nomination for his portrayal of Big Daddy in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in London.
Additional theatre credits include Cat on a Hot Tin Roof on Broadway, Paul Robeson, The Iceman Cometh, Of Mice and Men and most recently the Broadway and London productions of Driving Miss Daisy.
Speaking on working in the theater in an interview, Jones said "I was as content Off-Broadway as I was in a big Hollywood movie, and, I just try to be content wherever I am, you know."
James Earl Jones was honored with an Honorary Academy Award in 2011. He also received a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Great American Documents. His television achievements include two Primetime Emmy Awards: one for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Gabriel's Fire and another for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for Heat Wave.
Jones passed away at the age of 93 on the morning of September 9, 2024.
Photos
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 22: (L-R) Roselyn Sánchez, Joy Huerta, Eva Longoria and Sofia Vergara attend as VIPs visit "Real Women Have Curves" on Broadway at James Earl Jones Theater on April 22, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Real Women Have Curves)
From: Photos: Eva Longoria, Sofia Vergara and More Attend REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES
From: Photos: Eva Longoria, Sofia Vergara and More Attend REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES
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STAGE CREDITS
Productions
Movies
[ 1964 ] Lt. Lothar Zogg
[ 1967 ] Dr. Magiot
[ 1970 ] Doctor D
[ 1970 ] Jack Jefferson
[ 1974 ] Roop
[ 1975 ] Rabbit Shazam
[ 1976 ] Johnny Williams
[ 1976 ] Leon Carter, All-Star C
[ 1976 ] Nick Debrett
[ 1977 ] Joshua Burke
[ 1977 ] Malcolm X
[ 1977 ] Older Kokumo
[ 1977 ] Sheikh
[ 1981 ] The Prisoner
[ 1982 ] Frye
[ 1982 ] Thulsa Doom
[ 1983 ] Darth Vader
[ 1984 ] Albert
[ 1986 ] Ike Bailey
[ 1986 ] Professor Banks
[ 1986 ] Umslopoga
[ 1987 ] Goody Nelson
[ 1987 ] Emperor of the Night
[ 1987 ] Few Clothes
[ 1988 ] King Jaffe Joffer
[ 1989 ] Dugan
[ 1989 ] Frank Couzo
[ 1989 ] Terence Mann
[ 1990 ] Admiral Greer
[ 1990 ] Lt. Spencer
[ 1990 ] Morrison
[ 1990 ] Retribution
[ 1991 ] Bear
[ 1991 ] Ben Johnson
[ 1991 ] James Earl Jones
[ 1992 ] Admiral Greer
[ 1992 ] Mr. Bernard Abbott
[ 1992 ] Narrator
[ 1993 ] Earnest Moses
[ 1993 ] Jake
[ 1993 ] Judge Issacs
[ 1993 ] Mr. Mertle
[ 1993 ] Narrator
[ 1993 ] William Perry
[ 1994 ] Admiral Greer
[ 1994 ] John Dolby
[ 1994 ] Mufa
[ 1995 ] Madison Hemings
[ 1995 ] Rev. Stephen Kumalo
[ 1996 ] James Bing
[ 1996 ] Ray Murdock
[ 1997 ] Arthur Baylor
[ 1998 ] CNN Voiceover
[ 1999 ] Fish
[ 1999 ] The Judge
[ 2001 ] Avery Phillips
[ 2001 ] Leo
[ 2005 ] Voice Box at Hardware Store
[ 2006 ] Darth Vader
[ 2008 ] Papa Jenkins
[ 2009 ] The Giant
[ 2010 ] Admiral
[ 2013 ] Frank McCarthy
[ 2014 ] Ruben Video store owner
[ 2016 ] Darth Vader
[ 2018 ] Pendleton
[ 2019 ] Darth Vader
[ 2021 ] King Jaffe Joffer
[ 2023 ] Darth Vader
TV Shows
Will Cleveland
Gabriel Bird
Lee Atkins
Chief Thad Green
Woody Paris
Gabriel Bird
Announcer, Chief Thad Green
Darth Vader
Nerlan, Chief Bella
Narrator, Maggie Simpson, Moving Man
Awards and Nominations
winner
James Earl Jones
winner
James Earl Jones, The Best Man
James Earl Jones, Gore Vidal's The Best Man
James Earl Jones, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof
winner
James Earl Jones, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
James Earl JonesOn Golden Pond
James Earl Jones, On Golden Pond
James Earl Jones, On Golden Pond
winner
James Earl Jones, Fences
winner
James Earl Jones, Fences
winner
James Earl Jones
winner
James Earl Jones, Fences
winner
James Earl Jones, Fences
James Earl Jones, Paul Robeson
winner
James Earl Jones, The Cherry Orchard
winner
James Earl Jones, Hamlet
winner
James Earl Jones, Les Blancs
winner
James Earl Jones, The Great White Hope
winner
James Earl Jones, The Great White Hope
winner
James Earl Jones, Othello
winner
James Earl JonesBeal
winner
James Earl Jones , Clandestine on the Morning Line
winner
James Earl Jones , The Apple
winner
James Earl Jones Moon on a Rainbow Shawl
winner
James Earl JonesMoon on a Rainbow Shawl
Videos
Video: Glenn Adamson and Lauren Jones Perform 'Wildflower' From DARK OF THE MOON
by Stephi Wild - 2026-05-07 05:40:18
Video: Adrien Brody & Tessa Thompson Celebrate THE FEAR OF 13 Opening Night
by Luka Vonier - 2026-04-16 14:50:20
Video: Tessa Thompson Reveals How HEDDA Sparked Her Return to Theater Work
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-03-18 12:07:42
Video: Extended Highlights from CATCH ME IF YOU CAN at Marriott Theatre
by Joshua Wright - 2025-09-30 15:58:17
Video: JJ Niemann in CATCH ME IF YOU CAN at Marriott Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2025-09-03 14:49:10
Video: JJ Neimann Leads CATCH ME IF YOU CAN In Rehearsals at Marriott Theatre
by Joshua Wright - 2025-08-21 16:10:26
Videos: Go Inside the Final Performance of REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES
by Michael Major - 2025-06-30 10:02:05
Video: Broadway Siblings Christopher and Monica Ramirez Featured on THE KELLY CLARKSON SHOW
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-05-21 10:53:04
Photos/Video: Eva Longoria, Sofia Vergara, Gloria Estefan, and More Attend REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES
by Stephi Wild - 2025-04-23 06:00:07
Video: Justina Machado Praises REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES Co-Star Tatianna Córdoba: 'She Is Incredible'
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-04-22 17:45:47
Video: Tatianna Córdoba Performs 'Flying Away' From REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-04-15 10:34:44
Photos: REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES Pop Up Concert from Co-Composer Joy Huerta
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2025-03-18 14:46:19
Video: Tatianna Córdoba Sings 'Flying Away' from REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES
by Joey Mervis - 2025-02-17 12:28:57
News
by Stephi Wild - May 18, 2026
Park Theatre in Jaffrey, NH announced a five-film Summer Baseball Movie Series featuring classics including THE NATURAL, BULL DURHAM, and FIELD OF DREAMS, screened in its 330-seat Eppes Auditorium with large-format sound.
by Nicole Rosky - May 15, 2026
The best of Broadway and off-Broadway were on hand at the Ziegfeld Ballroom to celebrate 92nd Annual Drama League Awards, hosted by Emmy Award winner Frank DiLella. Check out a full list of winners here.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 14, 2026
Alec Baldwin will narrate the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait in the Koussevitzky Music Shed. The award-winning actor and classical music enthusiast joins a special Independence Day weekend program.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 13, 2026
Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, actress, author, and producer Ledisi will head to Broadway this fall in the new musical WANTED. Ledisi will star as Tallulah Clarke, mother of the sisters Clarke.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 13, 2026
xBroadway performers Hugh Panaro and NaTasha Yvette Williams and will headline American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.)'s annual gala honoring entrepreneur, activist, and former A.R.T. Board of Trustees Chair Steve Johnson.
by Nicole Rosky - May 10, 2026
Still thinking about the Tony nominations? Us too! Check out some takeaways from the big announcement and recap the full list and the nominees' reactions!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 7, 2026
The 2026 Honorees for the Theatre World Award for an Outstanding Debut Performance in a Broadway or Off-Broadway Production have been revealed. Honorees include Luke Evans, Ayo Edebiri and more.
by Stephi Wild - May 7, 2026
An all new video has been released of Glenn Adamson and Lauren Jones performing 'Wildflower' from the upcoming musical, Dark Of The Moon. Check out the video here!
by Stephi Wild - May 5, 2026
Theater Resources Unlimited and the League of Professional Theatre Women will present a Town Hall discussion on gender equality in theater, hosted at Polaris North Studio in NYC with simultaneous streaming available.
by Nicole Rosky - May 4, 2026
The Pulitzer Prize Board has just announced that Bess Wohl's Liberation has won the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Other finalists included: Nazareth Hassan's Bowl EP, and Talene Monahon's Meet the Cartozians.
by Bruce Glikas - May 4, 2026
See photos from inside Kim Kardashian's visit to The Fear of 13 on Broadway. She recently joined the producing team of Lindsey Ferrentino's play as part of her continued effort to bring attention to criminal justice reform.
by Bruce Glikas - May 1, 2026
Two-time Academy Award winner Adrien Brody received his portrait at Sardi’s to celebrate his Broadway debut in Lindsey Ferrentino’s new play, The Fear of 13. Check out photos here!
by - May 1, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is May 1, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
by Bruce Glikas - Apr 30, 2026
The Fear of 13, Lindsey Ferrentino’s new play is now open on Broadway at the James Earl Jones Theatre. The drama starring Academy Award-winner Adrien Brody welcomed a visit from another Hollywood icon, Robert de Niro, when he stopped in to see the show this week, Check out photos from his visit!
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
The Tony Awards Administration Committee announced that André Bishop, Jules Fisher, and James Lapine will each receive the 2026 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre.
by Backstage Live with Richard Ridge - Apr 30, 2026
Just months ago, Whitney White was celebrating the opening of her third Broadway project. Liberation was loved by both critics and audiences when it transferred to the James Earl Jones Theatre following its triumphant run off-Broadway last season. Watch in this interview as she chats more about her Liberation experience and looks ahead to her upcoming projects.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 27, 2026
Two-time Academy Award winner Adrien Brody will receive famed Sardi’s Portrait to celebrate his Broadway debut in Lindsey Ferrentino’s new play, The Fear of 13, where he stars alongside Golden Globe Award nominee Tessa Thompson.
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 24, 2026
Playwright Drake Susuras will premiere SHEL SILVERSTEIN ON FYRE ISLAND, a stage reading examining Silverstein's Playboy-era visit to Fire Island's Cherry Grove community, at Boulder's Junkyard Social Club as part of the IGNITE New Play Festival.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 22, 2026
Raúl Esparza and Helen J Shen will announce the 70th Annual Drama Desk Awards nominations next week. Learn more about the upcoming event and the awards ceremony here!
by Stephi Wild - Apr 21, 2026
A new revival of Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is set to come to Broadway next year, directed by Tony Award winner Sam Gold. Learn more here!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
James Earl Jones has appeared on Broadway in 20 shows.
James Earl Jones has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.
James Earl Jones's first West End show was Driving Miss Daisy which opened in 2011
Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement (Tony Awards), Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Best Man , Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Gore Vidal's The Best Man , Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Outstanding Lead Actor, Non-Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for On Golden Pond, Outstanding Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for On Golden Pond , Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for On Golden Pond, Outstanding Actor - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Fences, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Fences, The American Express Tribute (Helen Hayes Awards) for , Best Actor (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Fences, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Fences, Outstanding Actor - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Paul Robeson, Outstanding Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for The Cherry Orchard, Outstanding Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for Hamlet, Outstanding Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for Les Blancs, Outstanding Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for The Great White Hope, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Great White Hope, Best Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for Othello, Performance (Obie Awards) for Beal, Best Actor (Obie Awards) for Clandestine on the Morning Line, Best Actor (Obie Awards) for The Apple, Best Actor (Obie Awards) for Moon on a Rainbow Shawl and Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Moon on a Rainbow Shawl.
James Earl Jones has received numerous prestigious awards, including: - Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement (Tony Awards) - Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Best Man - Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof - Outstanding Actor - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Fences - Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Fences - The American Express Tribute (Helen Hayes Awards) - Best Actor (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Fences - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Fences - Outstanding Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for Hamlet - Outstanding Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for The Cherry Orchard - Outstanding Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for Les Blancs - Outstanding Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for The Great White Hope - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Great White Hope - Best Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for Othello - Performance (Obie Awards) for Beal - Best Actor (Obie Awards) for Clandestine on the Morning Line - Best Actor (Obie Awards) for The Apple - Best Actor (Obie Awards) for Moon on a Rainbow Shawl - Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Moon on a Rainbow Shawl
Videos
