NARA - National Archives and Records Administration
09/17/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/17/2024 12:33
Tribute to James Earl Jones, Jr.
"One of the hardest things in life is having words in your heart that you can't utter." ~ James Earl Jones, Jr.
On September 9, 2024, EGOT actor James Earl Jones, Jr. passed away at the age of 93, at his home in Pawling, Dutchess County, New York. Best known for his command of the stage and his baritone voice, Jones brought to life the fictional characters of Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in the Lion King. His over 50 year acting career won him numerous awards, including three Emmys for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries, Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series, and Outstanding Performer in Children's Special, one Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album, an Honorary Lifetime Achievement Academy Award, three Tonys for Best Actor in a Play and Lifetime Achievement Award, a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer, a Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award, Drama Desk Awards, and a NAACP Image Award. Jones also received a Kennedy Center Honors Medal and the Oscar Micheaux Award, and was also inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1985.
[Link]Jones with President George H. W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush in 1992, receiving the Medal of Arts Credit: George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and MuseumJames Earl Jones, Jr. was born on January 17, 1931, in Arkabutla, Mississippi to Robert Earl and Ruth Connolly Jones. He was raised by his maternal grandparents after his parents separated. Jones and his grandparents relocated to Michigan when he was five years old. The move was traumatic for Jones, and he developed a stutter and refused to speak. Once in high school, Jones found his voice when his English teacher encouraged him to read his poetry aloud. Jones attended the University of Michigan where he earned a degree in drama. He also joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps in college. He was commissioned in the Army in 1953, and was promoted to First Lieutenant during the Korean War.
After Jones left the military, he moved to New York City and studied at the American Theatre Wing. In 1957, he made his Broadway debut as understudy in the play The Egghead. Jones was a legend on Broadway. As a Shakespearean actor, he performed in Othello, King Lear, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Other plays that he performed in were The Blacks (1961-1963), A Winter's Tale (1963), The Great White Hope (1968-1970), Of Mice and Men (1974-1975), Fences (1987-1988), and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (2008-2009).
James Earl Jones Performs Shakespeare at the White House Poetry Jam: 3 of 8 (courtesy of the Barack Obama Presidential Library)Jones also found success on film and on television. In 1964, he played Lt. Lothar Zogg in Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. He starred in over 80 films, with legendry roles in Claudine (1974), The Great White Hope (1970), Hunt for Red October (1990), Field of Dreams (1989), and the classic role as King Jaffe Joffer in Coming to America (1988). Jones appeared in numerous TV shows and movies. In 1969, he was the first celebrity to make an appearance on Sesame Street. Some of his other TV roles and cameos were on Roots, L.A. Law, The Simpsons, Frasier, Will & Grace, The Big Bang Theory, and Law & Order.
James Earl Jones performed his first Othello at the Ramsdell Theatre. RG 79 Michigan SP Ramsdell Theatre (NAID 25340037)The National Archives and the Presidential Libraries hold several documents, photographs, moving images, and sound recordings on James Earl Jones, Jr. Most of these file units and items relates to recognition for his work or narrations of agency public service announcements or videos. Below are a few selections: