Jones, James Earl (1931-…), is an African American actor known for his imposing physical presence and deep, rumbling voice. Jones first gained recognition on the stage and then became a popular and respected motion-picture actor. He was the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars (1977) and several other films in that science-fiction series. In 2011, Jones received an honorary Academy Award for his outstanding film career.
Jones was born Todd Jones in Arkabutla Township, Mississippi, on Jan. 17, 1931. He was raised on a farm in Michigan and attended the University of Michigan for four years. Jones made his Broadway debut in 1957. He has won several Tony Awards, for the plays The Great White Hope (1967) and Fences (1985), and for lifetime achievement in the theater (2017). Jones repeated his role of a heavyweight boxing champion in the motion-picture version of The Great White Hope (1970). Jones also won praise for his portrayal of the singer and actor Paul Robeson in the one-man play Paul Robeson (1977). In 2008, Jones starred on Broadway as Big Daddy in a revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1955) by Tennessee Williams. In 2010, he starred in a Broadway revival of Driving Miss Daisy (1987).
Jones made his motion-picture debut in Dr. Strangelove (1964). His other movies include The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings (1976), Conan the Barbarian (1982), Coming to America (1988) and the sequel Coming 2 America (2021), Field of Dreams (1989), The Hunt for Red October (1990), Patriot Games (1992), Sommersby (1993), and Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins (2008). Jones voiced the character of Mufasa in the animated movies The Lion King (1994) and The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride (1998).
Jones also has acted in several television programs, including the miniseries Roots: The Next Generations (1979). He voiced Darth Vader in the TV series “Star Wars: Rebels” (2014-2018) and the miniseries Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022).
