James Earl Jones was famous for his powerful, unforgettable voice. He gave Darth Vader his iconic menace in Star Wars and brought warmth and wisdom to Mufasa in The Lion King. But long before he became a household name in Hollywood, Jones served his country with honor. After completing ROTC at the University of Michigan, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and served during the Korean War era. Though he never saw combat, his time in the U.S. Army shaped his discipline and leadership—qualities that helped him rise to the top of the acting world.
James Earl Jones’ early life
James Earl Jones was born on January 17, 1931, in Mississippi, but grew up in Michigan with his grandparents after his father, who was also an actor, left the family. He had a tough childhood and struggled with a serious stutter, which made him almost completely silent for years. Things began to change in high school when his English teacher, Donald Crouch, encouraged him to recite poetry in class. That support helped Jones begin to face and slowly overcome his speech issues.
After graduating, Jones went on to the University of Michigan, where he first studied pre-med. He also joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), thriving in its structured environment and forming strong bonds with other cadets.
Speaking about his time in the military, Jones once remarked, “My only semblance of a social life came in the fraternity of my fellow ROTC cadets in Pershing Rifles and Scabbard and Blade.”
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 up and moved to New York City, where he worked as a janitor while chasing his dream of becoming an actor. Before the move, he had already performed in several plays back home, including the lead role in Shakespeare’s Othello. Once in New York, he continued landing major roles and eventually became one of the most respected Shakespearean actors of his time.
By 1957, Jones made his Broadway debut, and in 1964, he appeared in his first movie, Stanley Kubrick‘s Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. Over the years, he acted alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor.
In 1970, Jones made history with an Academy Award nomination for his role in The Great White Hope, becoming only the second Black actor ever 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.