James Earl Jones, best known for his iconic voice, famously portrayed the menacing Darth Vader in Star Wars and the noble Mufasa in The Lion King. His remarkable career extended beyond acting, as he also served as a US Army officer, earning admiration as a distinguished figure both in and out of uniform.
James Earl Jones’ early life
James Earl Jones, born on January 17, 1931, in Mississippi, was raised by his grandparents in Michigan after his father, an actor, left the family. This early childhood trauma contributed to a severe stutter, leaving him largely silent during his formative years. It wasn’t until his high school English teacher, Donald Crouch, encouraged him to share his poetry in class that he began to confront and overcome his speech difficulties.
Following high school, Jones enrolled at the University of Michigan, initially pursuing a pre-medical major. He also joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), where he thrived in the disciplined environment and found camaraderie among his peers.
“My only semblance of a social life came in the fraternity of my fellow ROTC cadets in Pershing Rifles and Scabbard and Blade,” Jones once remarked, reflecting on his time in the military.
Service with the US Army
Ultimately, James Earl Jones came to the conclusion that medicine was not the right direction for him and changed his focus to enroll in the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance. At that time, the Korean War was going on, and Jones believed he should pursue a program he was passionate about before he was, as he anticipated, called up to serve in the conflict.
While he awaited his orders, Jones worked part-time as a stagehand at a local theater. He was commissioned in mid-1953, shortly after the war concluded, and reported to Fort Benning, Georgia, where he undertook the Infantry Officers Basic Course and attended US Army Ranger School. Jones was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 38th Regiment Combat Team. He emerged as a leader within his battalion, which transformed into a training unit stationed in the cold and rugged Rocky Mountains of Colorado.
In an interview, the actor reflected on his experience, stating, “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 achieved the rank of first lieutenant, but as he contemplated a full commitment to the military, he recognized that his true calling lay elsewhere. He realized he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father, Robert Earl Jones, and pursue a career in acting. His commanding officer encouraged him to chase his dream and reminded him that he could always return to the Army if his plans did not unfold as expected.
James Earl Jones’ successful acting career
In the mid-1950s, Jones packed his belongings and moved to New York City, where he worked as a janitor while seeking acting opportunities. He had previously starred in several productions back home, including the role of Othello in the Shakespearean play of the same name. Once in New York, he continued to take on leading roles, eventually becoming one of the most renowned Shakespearean actors of his time.
By 1957, Jones had landed his first role on Broadway and, in 1964, made his film debut in Stanley Kubrick‘s Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. He went on to share the screen with some of the biggest stars of the era, including Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor.
In 1970, Jones received a historic Academy Award nomination for his leading role in The Great White Hope, 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 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, President George H.W. Bush awarded James Earl Jones the National Medal of the Arts. Years later, President George W. Bush also awarded him the Kennedy Center Honors and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award. Jones also achieved the prestigious “EGOT” title, meaning he received all four major Hollywood awards: an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award – although his Oscar was honorarily awarded.
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On September 9, 2024, at the age of 93, James Earl Jones passed away at his Duchess County, New York, home. Up until the end, he continued to look back fondly on his time in the US Army.
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