James Earl Jones is an American ( voice ) actor.
His estimated net worth is approximately 45$ million.
Early life
James Earl Jones was born on January 17, 1931 in Arkabutla, Mississippi. His father, who left him soon after his birth, was boxer and actor Robert Earl Jones and his mother was teacher Ruth Jones. Raised by grandparents in Michigan, he suffered from stutter but his school teacher helped him throughout the years to overcome it.
James graduated Brethren High School and enrolled the University of Michigan, where he studied music, theater, and drama. Soon after graduation in 1955, he was mobilized by the army for Korean War. After promotion to first lieutenant, he went to New York to study American Theatre Wing.
Personal life
From 1964 to 1972 James was married to American actress Julienne Marie. Ten years later, he married another actress Cecilia Hart with whom he has one son Flynn Earl Jones.
James suffers from diabetes type 2.
Acting career
James became recognizable as stage actor. His acting career began with a performance of Shakespeare’s drama Othello at the Ramsdell Theatre in Michigan in 1955. In the next 2 years, he regularly plays as a stage actor and occasionally appears in ABC radio drama Theatre-Five.
As a stage actor, James played many Shekspire roles in playes such as Measure for Measure, The Tragedy of Hamlet and King Lear. He was praised for his contribution to the theater acting and won two Tony Awards for Best Actor in Play, particularly for the performances in the The Great White Hope ( 1969 ) and Fences ( 1970 ).
Along with stage career, he developed film career. His movie debut was in the black comedy How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb ( 1964 ) as Lieutenant Lothar Zogg. Three years later he portrayed surgeon Magiot, who was the rebel leader in the movie The Comedians.
Jame’s first lead role was the role of boxer Jack Jefferson in the biography The Great White Hope ( 1970 ). James received many positive critics and nomination for Best Actor by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
He appeared with Diahann Carroll in the family movie Claudine in 1974. Successful role James has in the 1982 epic movie Conan the Barbarian co-starring with Arnold Swarceneger. James portrayed evil wizards Thulsa Doom. A few years later, James played with Chris Cooper in the drama Matewan.
In the remake of 1951 film Cry, the Beloved Country he starred with Richard Harris, as minister Stephen Kumalo. For this play, James was nominated for Outstanding Actor.
James is also known as a voice actor. He gave a voice to Darth Vader, the famous character from Star Wars in the three sequels of the movie. In the animated movie The Lion King ( 1994 ), he supplied the voice for king Mufasa. James was the narrator of the poem “The Raven” in The Simsons Halloween special from 1990.
James is the owner of two Emmy Awards for Best actor for the work in ABC series Gabriel’s Fire and thriller Heat Wave.
In 2008 he received Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award and in 2011 The Academy Honorary Award.
The last awarded role he has in the drama Summer’s End, where he played Dr. William ‘Bill’ Blakely for wich he gains Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer.
Quick summary:
Full Name: James Earl Jones
Date of Birth: January 17, 1931
Birth Place: Arkabutla, Mississippi
Age: 86 years
Profession: ( voice ) actor
Height: 1.87
Weight: unknown
Net worth: 45$ million
