James Earl Jones is renowned for his unmistakable voice, known as one of the most recognizable in the film industry. His career includes memorable roles like the menacing Darth Vader in Star Wars and the wise Mufasa in The Lion King, demonstrating the wide range of his acting talent. Moreover, his service as an officer in the US Army adds another layer to his accomplishments, both in his cinematic work and his pursuits beyond the screen.
James Earl Jones’ early life
James Earl Jones was born on January 17, 1931, in Mississippi, and later raised by his grandparents in Michigan following his father’s departure, who was also an actor. Jones recalls that the loss of his family during childhood was so profound that it led to a severe stutter and he rarely spoke. However, it wasn’t until his high school English teacher, Donald Crouch, encouraged him to explore his talent for poetry writing and sharing it in class that Jones overcame his speech impediment.
Upon graduating from high school, Jones enrolled at the University of Michigan, initially pursuing a pre-medical degree. He also became a member of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), where he excelled academically and found camaraderie among his fellow cadets in the structured environment.
“My only semblance of a social life came in the fraternity of my fellow ROTC cadets in Perishing Rifles and Scabbard and Blade,” Jones remarked on his early time in the US military.
Service with the US Army
Eventually, James Earl Jones realized medicine wasn’t the right path for him and switched his program to join the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance. At the time, the Korean War was raging and Jones thought he should be in a program he enjoyed before, he assumed, he was called up to fight in the conflict.
While awaiting his orders, Jones worked as a part-time stagehand at a local theater. He was commissioned in mid-1953, shortly after the end of the war, and reported to Fort Benning, Georgia, where he attended the Infantry Officers Basic Course and US Army Ranger School. Jones was assigned to Headquarter and Headquarters Company, 38th Regiment Combat Team. He was a leader in his battalion, which became a training unit based in the cold and rugged Rocky Mountains of Colorado.
The actor shared his thoughts on the experience in an interview, saying, “I took to the physical challenge, so much so that I wanted to stay there, testing myself in that awesome environment, mastering the skills of survival. I loved the austere beauty of the mountains and the exhilaration of the weather and the altitude. I didn’t mind the rigors of the work or the pioneer-like existence. I thought it was a good life.”
Jones was promoted to first lieutenant, but when deciding whether to fully commit to the military he knew he was destined for another path. He realized he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father, Robert Earl Jones, and pursue acting. His commanding officer told Jones to follow his dream and reminded him that he could always return to the Army if things didn’t work out.
James Earl Jones’ successful acting career
Jones relocated to New York City in the mid-1950s, bringing his possessions with him and working as a janitor while seeking acting opportunities. Before the move, he had performed in several shows back home, including portraying Othello in the Shakespeare play. In New York, he continued to take on lead roles in similar productions and eventually became one of the most renowned Shakespearean actors of his era.
By 1957, Jones had landed his first Broadway role and, in 1964, made his on-screen debut in Stanley Kubrick‘s Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. He went on to work with prominent stars of the 1960s such as Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor.
In 1970, Jones’ lead role in The Great White Hope earned him a groundbreaking Academy Award nomination, making him the second Black man in history to be nominated in that category.
Star Wars
In 1977, James Earl Jones appeared in one of his most iconic roles, even though he insisted on being uncredited for it. He played the voice of Darth Vader in George Lucas‘ Star Wars: A New Hope. Vader’s character was physically played by David Prowse, with Jones’ voice dubbed over. He reprised the role in the other two films within the trilogy, The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983).
His iconic voice has also appeared in animated classics like The Simpsons (1989-present) and The Lion King (1994), as well as full-fledged roles in films like The Hunt For Red October (1990) and Conan the Barbarian (1982).
Awards and accolades
In 1992, US President George H.W. Bush presented James Earl Jones with the National Medal of the Arts. Years later, President George W. Bush bestowed upon him the Kennedy Center Honors and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award.
Jones has also earned the esteemed “EGOT” status, meaning he’s won all four major awards in Hollywood: an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony Award – although, his Oscar was honorary.
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Despite his numerous successes and accolades, Jones, who is now 93 years old, cherishes his time in the Army as some of the most significant and influential moments of his life.
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