Not just a voice. James Earl Jones has been a star of stage and screen for over seven decades. After briefly studying medicine and then serving in the U.S. Army, James turned to acting. Roles in several acclaimed Shakespeare productions would lead to his first on-screen role in Stanley Kubrick’s 1964 film Dr. Strangelove.
In the late 70s, James’ found fame in a new realm after voicing Darth Vader in the Star Wars series. He also appeared in the hits Coming to America (1988), Field of Dreams (1989), The Hunt for Red October (1990), The Sandlot (1993), and The Lion King (1994). Throughout his career, he’s earned three Tony Awards, two Primetime Emmys, and a Grammy.
On September 9, 2024, James died at the age of 93.
Scroll through the photos to see the life of James Earl Jones.