34 Interesting Facts about James Earl Jones

Dan April 20, 2023

James Earl Jones is an American actor known for his deep, resonant voice and powerful stage and screen performances. Jones was born on January 17, 1931, in Arkabutla, Mississippi. He grew up in Michigan and attended the University of Michigan, where he studied drama. After serving in the military, Jones moved to New York City, New York, to pursue a career in acting.

Jones began his career in the late 1950s, appearing in off-Broadway productions and building a reputation as a versatile and commanding stage actor. In 1960, he made his Broadway debut in the play “The Cool World,” and later appeared in “A Hand is on the Gate,” “The Great White Hope,” and “Fences,” among others.

Jones has also had a successful career in film and television, appearing in such movies as “Dr. Strangelove,” “The Great White Hope,” “Field of Dreams,” and “The Lion King,” in which he provided the voice of Mufasa. He has also appeared in numerous TV shows, including “Roots,” “Gabriel’s Fire,” and “The Simpsons.”

Throughout his career, Jones has won numerous awards and accolades for his work, including two Tony Awards, four Emmy Awards, a Grammy Award, and an Honorary Academy Award. He is also known for his distinctive voice work, which has been used in a variety of contexts, from movie trailers and commercials to documentary narration and voice acting in video games.

Do you want to know more about James Earl Jones? Let’s take a look at these 34 interesting facts about James Earl Jones.

1. Jones was born on January 17, 1931, in Arkabutla, Mississippi.
2. His parents were Robert Earl Jones, an actor, and Ruth Connolly, a teacher and maid.
3. Jones stuttered as a child and found solace in reading poetry and literature out loud.
4. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War.
5. Jones attended the University of Michigan, where he studied drama and earned a degree in 1955.
6. He made his Broadway debut in 1957 in the play “Sunrise at Campobello.”
7. Jones’s breakthrough role came in the 1960 Broadway production of “The Great White Hope,” for which he won a Tony Award.
8. He has won two Tony Awards in total, for “The Great White Hope” and “Fences.”
9. Jones has also won four Emmy Awards, a Grammy Award, and an Honorary Academy Award.
10. He is one of the few actors to have won all four major entertainment awards (Tony, Emmy, Grammy, and Oscar).
11. Jones has appeared in over 100 films, including “Dr. Strangelove,” “The Lion King,” and “Field of Dreams.”
12. He has also appeared in numerous TV shows, including “Roots,” “Gabriel’s Fire,” and “The Simpsons.”
13. Jones provided the voice of Darth Vader in the “Star Wars” film franchise.
14. He also provided the voice of Mufasa in Disney’s “The Lion King.”
15. Jones has a distinctive, deep voice that has been used in a variety of contexts, from movie trailers and commercials to documentary narration and voice acting in video games.
16. He has been married three times and has one child.
17. Jones is a trained pilot and has a private pilot’s license.
18. He is an avid collector of African art and has donated pieces from his collection to several museums.
19. Jones has been a vocal advocate for stuttering awareness and has spoken openly about his own struggles with the disorder.
20. He has served as a spokesperson for several organizations, including the American Heart Association and the United Negro College Fund.
21. Jones was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1985.
22. In 2011, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Screen Actors Guild.
23. Jones has received several honorary degrees from universities across the United States.
24. He has been a guest lecturer at several universities, including Harvard and Yale.
25. Jones is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
26. He has written several books, including an autobiography, “James Earl Jones: Voices and Silences.”
27. Jones has been recognized for his contributions to the arts with a Kennedy Center Honor.
28. He was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1992.
29. Jones has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Environmental Defense Fund.
30. He has supported several charities and causes, including the Alzheimer’s Association and the National Audubon Society.
31. Jones has served as a judge for the Peabody Awards.
32. He was the recipient of the National Medal of Arts in 1992.
33. Jones has been inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame.
34. He has been recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

James Earl Jones is an iconic figure in American entertainment, known for his deep, resonant voice and powerful acting performances on stage and screen. With a career spanning over six decades, he has won numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the arts and his humanitarian efforts. Jones is not only a talented actor, but also a passionate advocate for causes such as stuttering awareness, environmental protection, and education. His work has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry, inspiring generations of performers and fans alike. Jones continues to be a beloved and respected figure, and his contributions to American culture will be remembered for many years to come.