James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones

🎂 17th January 1931 (95 yrs) 📍 Arkabutla, Mississippi, USA

Known For

Star Wars

Biography

James Earl Jones (January 17, 1931 – September 9, 2024) was an American actor. He was described as "one of America's most distinguished and versatile" actors for his performances on stage and screen, and "one of the greatest actors in American history". Over his career, he received three Tony Awards, two Emmy Awards, and a Grammy Award. He was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1985. He was honored with the National Medal of Arts in 1992, the Kennedy Center Honor in 2002, the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2009 and the Honorary Academy Award in 2011. His deep voice has been praised as a "stirring basso profondo that has lent gravel and gravitas" to his projects.

James Earl Jones

Movies Featuring James Earl Jones

BET News & ET Present James Earl Jones: Life and Legacy

BET News & ET Present James Earl Jones: Life and Legacy (2024)

as Self (archive footage)
Butterfly in the Sky

Butterfly in the Sky (2024)

as Guest Narrator (archive footage)
Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street

Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street (2021)

as Self (archive footage)
Coming 2 America

Coming 2 America (2021)

as King Jaffe Joffer
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

as Darth Vader (voice)
On Broadway

On Broadway (2019)

as Self (archive footage)
Raúl Juliá: The World’s a Stage

Raúl Juliá: The World’s a Stage (2019)

as Self
The Lion King

The Lion King (2019)

as Mufasa (voice)
The Space: Theatre of Survival

The Space: Theatre of Survival (2019)

as Narrator
Words from a Bear

Words from a Bear (2019)

as Self
Warning Shot

Warning Shot (2018)

as Pendleton
The Lion Guard: Life In The Pride Lands

The Lion Guard: Life In The Pride Lands (2017)

as Mufasa (voice)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

as Darth Vader (voice)
God Bless You, Mr Rosewater

God Bless You, Mr Rosewater (2016)

as Kilgore Trout
The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar

The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar (2016)

as Mufasa (voice)
Driving Miss Daisy

Driving Miss Daisy (2015)

as Hoke Colburn
Star Wars Rebels: The Siege of Lothal

Star Wars Rebels: The Siege of Lothal (2015)

as Darth Vader (voice)
August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand

August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand (2015)

as Self
Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion

Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion (2014)

as Darth Vader (voice)
The Angriest Man in Brooklyn

The Angriest Man in Brooklyn (2014)

as Ruben
Gimme Shelter

Gimme Shelter (2013)

as Frank McCarthy
Muse of Fire

Muse of Fire (2013)

as Self
Blackfish

Blackfish (2013)

as Self (archive footage)
Milius

Milius (2013)

as Self
An Amazing Time: A Conversation About End of the Road

An Amazing Time: A Conversation About End of the Road (2012)

as Self
Joe Papp in Five Acts

Joe Papp in Five Acts (2012)

as Self
Strange Septembers: The Hill Abduction & the Exeter Encounter

Strange Septembers: The Hill Abduction & the Exeter Encounter (2011)

as Himself
Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odyssey

Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odyssey (2010)

as Admiral (voice)
Jack and the Beanstalk

Jack and the Beanstalk (2009)

as The Giant (voice)
Waking Sleeping Beauty

Waking Sleeping Beauty (2009)

as Self (archive footage)
Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins

Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins (2008)

as Papa Jenkins
Earth

Earth (2007)

as Narrator (voice)
No Image

Our Paul: Remembering Paul Robeson (2007)

as Self
John, Paul, George and Ben

John, Paul, George and Ben (2007)

as Narrator
Searching for Orson

Searching for Orson (2006)

as Self
Click

Click (2006)

as Narrator of Michael's Past (voice) (uncredited)
The Best of The Tony Awards: The Plays

The Best of The Tony Awards: The Plays (2006)

as Jack Jefferson (segment "The Great White Hope") / Troy Maxson (segment "Fences")
Scary Movie 4

Scary Movie 4 (2006)

as Narrator (uncredited)
The Benchwarmers

The Benchwarmers (2006)

as Darth Vader (voice)
Hollywood's Greatest Villains

Hollywood's Greatest Villains (2005)

as Self
The Sandlot 2

The Sandlot 2 (2005)

as Mr. Mertle
The Reading Room

The Reading Room (2005)

as William
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)

as Darth Vader (voice - uncredited)
Robots

Robots (2005)

as Voice Box at Hardware Store (voice)
By Any Means Necessary: The Making of 'Malcolm X'

By Any Means Necessary: The Making of 'Malcolm X' (2005)

as Narrator
No Fighting in the War Room Or: 'Dr Strangelove' and the Nuclear Threat

No Fighting in the War Room Or: 'Dr Strangelove' and the Nuclear Threat (2004)

as Self
Nine Dog Christmas

Nine Dog Christmas (2004)

as Storyteller (voice)
Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy

Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy (2004)

as Self
The Story of Star Wars

The Story of Star Wars (2004)

as Darth Vader (archive footage)
No Image

Black Indians: An American Story (2004)

as Narrator
The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror

The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror (2003)

as Maggie Simpson (voice)
The Great Year

The Great Year (2003)

as Narrator
Beneath the Surface: The Making of 'The Hunt for Red October'

Beneath the Surface: The Making of 'The Hunt for Red October' (2003)

as Self
Fredericksburg: A Documentary Film

Fredericksburg: A Documentary Film (2002)

as Narrator
Muhammad Ali - Through The Eyes Of The World

Muhammad Ali - Through The Eyes Of The World (2001)

as Self
Feast of All Saints

Feast of All Saints (2001)

as Older Marcel
Recess Christmas: Miracle On Third Street

Recess Christmas: Miracle On Third Street (2001)

as Mister (voice)
Finder's Fee

Finder's Fee (2001)

as Avery Phillips
Disney's American Legends

Disney's American Legends (2001)

as Narrator
Antietam: A Documentary Film

Antietam: A Documentary Film (2000)

as Narrator
Conan Unchained: The Making of 'Conan'

Conan Unchained: The Making of 'Conan' (2000)

as Self
Inside: 'Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb'

Inside: 'Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb' (2000)

as Self - 'Lieutenant Lothar Zogg'
The Art of Stanley Kubrick: From Short Films to Strangelove

The Art of Stanley Kubrick: From Short Films to Strangelove (2000)

as Self
Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light

Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light (2000)

Fantasia 2000

Fantasia 2000 (2000)

as Self - Host
Santa and Pete

Santa and Pete (1999)

as James Earl Jones
The Annihilation of Fish

The Annihilation of Fish (1999)

as Fish
Undercover Angel

Undercover Angel (1999)

as The Judge
On the Q.T.

On the Q.T. (1999)

as Leo
Summer's End

Summer's End (1999)

as Dr. William 'Bill' Blakely
Our Friend, Martin

Our Friend, Martin (1999)

as Daddy King (voice)
The Lion King II: Simba's Pride

The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (1998)

as Mufasa (voice)
Primary Colors

Primary Colors (1998)

as CNN Voiceover (voice)
Alone

Alone (1997)

as Grey
The Second Civil War

The Second Civil War (1997)

as Jim Kalla
What the Deaf Man Heard

What the Deaf Man Heard (1997)

as Archibald Thacker
Gang Related

Gang Related (1997)

as Arthur Baylor
No Image

Hitler's Forgotten Victims (1997)

as Narrator (voice) (DVD version)
Casper: A Spirited Beginning

Casper: A Spirited Beginning (1997)

as Kibosh (voice)
Sports on the Silver Screen

Sports on the Silver Screen (1997)

as Self (archive footage)
Good Luck

Good Luck (1997)

as James Bing
Star Wars: The Magic & the Mystery

Star Wars: The Magic & the Mystery (1997)

as Self
Afro Promo

Afro Promo (1997)

as Self (archive footage)
Timepiece

Timepiece (1996)

as Lawrence
Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault

Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault (1996)

as Dr. McDuffie
Looking for Richard

Looking for Richard (1996)

as Self - Interviewee
No Image

Corwin (1996)

as Self
A Family Thing

A Family Thing (1996)

as Ray Murdock
Cry, the Beloved Country

Cry, the Beloved Country (1995)

as Rev. Stephen Kumalo
Who's in Rabbit's House?

Who's in Rabbit's House? (1995)

as Narrator (voice)
Judge Dredd

Judge Dredd (1995)

as Narrator (uncredited)
The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies

The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies (1995)

as Self
The Making of 'Jurassic Park'

The Making of 'Jurassic Park' (1995)

as Host
Jefferson in Paris

Jefferson in Paris (1995)

as Madison Hemings
Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable

Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable (1995)

as Mufasa
People: A Musical Celebration

People: A Musical Celebration (1995)

as The Storyteller (voice)
No Image

Bah, Humbug!: The Story of Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' (1994)

as Narrator
Clear and Present Danger

Clear and Present Danger (1994)

as Admiral James Greer
The Making of the Lion King

The Making of the Lion King (1994)

as Self
The Lion King

The Lion King (1994)

as Mufasa (voice)
The Twilight Zone: Rod Serling's Lost Classics

The Twilight Zone: Rod Serling's Lost Classics (1994)

as Host
Clean Slate

Clean Slate (1994)

as John Dolby
Africa: The Serengeti

Africa: The Serengeti (1994)

as Narrator
Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult

Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994)

as James Earl Jones (uncredited)
Gangs: Turning the Corner

Gangs: Turning the Corner (1994)

as Self
Confessions: Two Faces of Evil

Confessions: Two Faces of Evil (1994)

as Charles Lloyd
The Vernon Johns Story

The Vernon Johns Story (1994)

as Vernon Johns
No Image

Hallelujah (1993)

as Old Man Taylor
Michael Jackson: Dangerous - The Short Films

Michael Jackson: Dangerous - The Short Films (1993)

as Self (voice) (uncredited)
Percy & Thunder

Percy & Thunder (1993)

as Percy Banks
The Meteor Man

The Meteor Man (1993)

as Earnest Moses
Dreamrider

Dreamrider (1993)

as Bill Perry
Excessive Force

Excessive Force (1993)

as Jake
The Sandlot

The Sandlot (1993)

as Mr. Mertle
Sommersby

Sommersby (1993)

as Judge Barry Conrad Issacs
No Image

Lincoln (1992)

as Narrator (voice)
Sneakers

Sneakers (1992)

as Mr. Bernard Abbott
Patriot Games

Patriot Games (1992)

as Adm. James Greer
The JFK Conspiracy

The JFK Conspiracy (1992)

as Self - Host
True Identity

True Identity (1991)

as James Earl Jones
When It Was a Game

When It Was a Game (1991)

as (voice)
Scorchers

Scorchers (1991)

as Bear
No Image

Portrait of Castro's Cuba (1991)

as Host/Narrator
Visitors from the Unknown

Visitors from the Unknown (1991)

as Narrator (voice)
Convicts

Convicts (1991)

as Ben Johnson
Grim Prairie Tales

Grim Prairie Tales (1990)

as Morrison
Ivory Hunters

Ivory Hunters (1990)

as Inspector Nkuru
Heat Wave

Heat Wave (1990)

as Junius Johnson
No Image

Last Flight Out (1990)

as Al Topping
By Dawn's Early Light

By Dawn's Early Light (1990)

as Alice
The Ambulance

The Ambulance (1990)

as Lt. Spencer
The Hunt for Red October

The Hunt for Red October (1990)

as Vice ADM James Greer
Teach 109

Teach 109 (1990)

as Dr. Winston
Terrorgram

Terrorgram (1990)

as Retribution (voice)
11-22-63: The Day the Nation Cried

11-22-63: The Day the Nation Cried (1989)

as Narrator
Best of the Best

Best of the Best (1989)

as Frank Couzo
Field of Dreams

Field of Dreams (1989)

as Terrence Mann
Three Fugitives

Three Fugitives (1989)

as Dugan
The Hunting of the Snark

The Hunting of the Snark (1989)

as Narrator (voice)
Stories to Remember: Noah's Ark

Stories to Remember: Noah's Ark (1989)

as Narrator
Coming to America

Coming to America (1988)

as King Jaffe Joffer
Michael Jackson: The Legend Continues

Michael Jackson: The Legend Continues (1988)

as Narrator (voice)
Matewan

Matewan (1987)

as 'Few Clothes' Johnson
Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night

Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night (1987)

as Emperor of the Night (voice)
Gardens of Stone

Gardens of Stone (1987)

as Sgt. Maj.'Goody' Nelson
No Image

A House Divided (1987)

Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold

Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold (1986)

as Umslopogaas
Soul Man

Soul Man (1986)

as Professor Banks
My Little Girl

My Little Girl (1986)

as Ike Bailey
Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp

Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp (1986)

as Genie / Narrator
The Lone Star Kid

The Lone Star Kid (1986)

as Holmes
No Image

Moses (1985)

as Pharaoh
City Limits

City Limits (1985)

as Albert
Night of 100 Stars II

Night of 100 Stars II (1985)

as Self
Visual Pathfinders: Robert Abel & Associates

Visual Pathfinders: Robert Abel & Associates (1985)

The Vegas Strip War

The Vegas Strip War (1984)

as Jack Madrid
Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears (1984)

as Narrator
Return of the Jedi

Return of the Jedi (1983)

as Darth Vader (voice)
Blood Tide

Blood Tide (1982)

as Frye
Amy and the Angel

Amy and the Angel (1982)

as Gabriel
The Flight of Dragons

The Flight of Dragons (1982)

as Ommadon (voice)
Conan the Barbarian

Conan the Barbarian (1982)

as Thulsa Doom
Night of 100 Stars

Night of 100 Stars (1982)

as Self
Golden Book Video - Beauty and the Beast

Golden Book Video - Beauty and the Beast (1981)

as Narrator (voice)
No Image

The Creation (1981)

as Narrator (voice)
The Bushido Blade

The Bushido Blade (1981)

as The Prisoner
There Was Always Sun Shining Someplace: Life in the Negro Baseball Leagues

There Was Always Sun Shining Someplace: Life in the Negro Baseball Leagues (1981)

as himself, voice
No Image

Beauty and the Beast (1981)

as Narrator (voice)
God's Trombones

God's Trombones (1981)

as Narrator (voice)
The Golden Moment: An Olympic Love Story

The Golden Moment: An Olympic Love Story (1980)

as Dane Oliver
The Empire Strikes Back

The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

as Darth Vader (voice) (uncredited)
The Me Nobody Knows

The Me Nobody Knows (1980)

as Self
A Walking Tour of Sesame Street

A Walking Tour of Sesame Street (1979)

as Self - Host
Paul Robeson

Paul Robeson (1979)

as Paul Robeson
Black Theatre: The Making of a Movement

Black Theatre: The Making of a Movement (1978)

as Self
The Star Wars Holiday Special

The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978)

as Darth Vader (voice)
The Story of the Faithful Wookiee

The Story of the Faithful Wookiee (1978)

as Darth Vader (voice)
The Greatest Thing That Almost Happened

The Greatest Thing That Almost Happened (1977)

as Morris Bird, Jr.
A Piece of the Action

A Piece of the Action (1977)

as Joshua Burke
The Making of Star Wars

The Making of Star Wars (1977)

as Darth Vader (voice) (uncredited)
Exorcist II: The Heretic

Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977)

as Older Kokumo
The Last Remake of Beau Geste

The Last Remake of Beau Geste (1977)

as Sheikh
Star Wars

Star Wars (1977)

as Darth Vader (voice) (uncredited)
The Greatest

The Greatest (1977)

as Malcolm X
Swashbuckler

Swashbuckler (1976)

as Nick Debrett
The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings

The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings (1976)

as Leon
The River Niger

The River Niger (1976)

as Johnny Williams
Deadly Hero

Deadly Hero (1975)

as Rabbit Shazam
The UFO Incident

The UFO Incident (1975)

as Barney Hill
The Cay

The Cay (1974)

as Timothy
Claudine

Claudine (1974)

as Rupert D. "Roop" Marshall
King Lear

King Lear (1974)

as King Lear
The Man

The Man (1972)

as Douglass Dilman
Malcolm X

Malcolm X (1972)

as Biographical Narration (voice)
Martin Luther King, Jr.: Legacy of a Dream

Martin Luther King, Jr.: Legacy of a Dream (1971)

as Narrator
The Great White Hope

The Great White Hope (1970)

as Jack Jefferson
King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis

King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis (1970)

as Self (archive footage)
End of the Road

End of the Road (1970)

as Doctor D
The Comedians

The Comedians (1967)

as Dr. Magiot
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

as Lt. Lothar Zogg
Broadway: The Next Generation

Broadway: The Next Generation (N/A)

as Self