James Earl Jones

Date of Birth: January 17, 1931

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Biography

James Earl Jones is an American actor renowned for his deep, resonant voice and commanding stage presence. Born in Arkabutla, Mississippi, Jones overcame a severe stutter with the help of his high school teacher and went on to become one of the most distinguished and versatile actors of his generation. He made his Broadway debut in 1957 and gained widespread fame with his portrayal of Jack Jefferson in “The Great White Hope,” for which he won a Tony Award. Jones is perhaps best known for his voice roles as Darth Vader in the “Star Wars” franchise and Mufasa in Disney’s “The Lion King.” Over his illustrious career, he has received numerous accolades, including an honorary Academy Award, multiple Emmy Awards, and a Grammy Award.

5 Interesting Facts about James Earl Jones

1. James Earl Jones initially studied to become a doctor before switching to acting.

2. He is one of the few performers to have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award (EGOT), though his Oscar was honorary.

3. Jones served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

4. He struggled with a severe stutter during his childhood and did not speak for several years.

5. His iconic voice role as Darth Vader in “Star Wars” was performed without him ever being on set; his lines were recorded separately and dubbed over the physical performance by David Prowse.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from James Earl Jones

1. “One of the hardest things in life is having words in your heart that you can’t utter.”

2. “The world is filled with violence. Because criminals carry guns, we decent law-abiding citizens should also have guns. Otherwise they will win and the decent people will lose.”

3. “The only way to get rid of my fears is to make films about them.”

4. “I think the extent to which I stuttered was that I didn’t talk at all. I was too shy to talk.”

5. “Your own need to be shines out of any dream or creation you imagine.”