James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones is known as an American actor. He is most famous for playing Darth Vader in the 'Star Wars' franchise and Mufasa in the Lion King.

Parents and Childhood

James Earl Jones was born on January 17, 1931, in Arkabutla, Mississippi. His father, Robert Earl Jones, a fighter and actor, was generally missing from his life growing up. At an early age, Jones was raised by his maternal grandparents in Mississippi before moving with them to Michigan.

Jones built up a serious stammer in youth, which left him frightfully unsure and bashful around other children. He for the most part didn't talk until an educator bailed him out of his quietness during his high school years Jones went to the University of Michigan to study prescription, yet before long found acting. After school, he served in the military during the Korean War, coming back to his enthusiasm for performing once he completed his duty

Wife and Kids

James Earl Jones is currently married to actress Julienne Marie, with whom he co-featured in Othello. Before Marie, Jones married Cecilia Hart in 1982 and was married to her until she passed away in 2016. The couple has one child, Flynn Earl Jones.

Acting Career and Net Worth

Moving to New York City, Jones studied at the American Theater Wing and eventually took on the stage name Todd Jones for a brief period. He got a new line of work as a janitor to bring home some income during the beginning of his career and became acquainted with his father, who was then working in the dramatic arts too.

James Earl Jones made his Broadway debut in the late 1950s in the play Sunrise at Campobello. For quite a while, he took on an assortment of roles for stage, TV and film. Jones was dynamic in the Shakespeare in the Park program, appearing in one of its first productions in 1962, and in 1964, he gave a gigantic performance as the title character in Othello, proceeding to play the character on various occasions.

Known for his unmistakably profound and rich speech, Jones started one of his most notable film roles in the late 1970s by providing the voice of Darth Vader in George Lucas' Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983).

In July 2019, the live action version of Disney's Lion King was released. James Earl Jones originally voiced the character of Mufasa in the original animated version. He was asked to come back to reprise his role in the CGI version.