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James Earl Jones was born in Arkabutla Mississippi to Robert Earl Jones and Ruth Connolly on January 17th, 1931&--with Robert leaving before he was born. -
Jones was moved to Dublin Michigan when he turned five, set to be raised by his maternal grandparents. He developed a stutter and refusal to speak, leaving him traditionally mute for many years.
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For much of his school life Jones remained mute, but during highschool he worked with a teacher--Mr. Crouch--to find and explore his voice through poetry, considering it a big breakthrough for himself.
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Jones graduated from Dickson Highschool in Brethren Michigan in 1949. -
In 1949 James Earl Jones earned a scholarship for the University of Michigan, enrolling initially as premed.
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With his interest now turning to theatre, Jones participated in productions at Manistee Summer Theatre.
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Jones was commissioned and trained as an officer in the armed forces for two years, ending up assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 38th regimental combat team.
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After changing his focus to theatre, Jones received his B.A in 1955 after his service in the army.
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Following his graduation Jones made the move to New York City and began to study at the American Theatre Wing.
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In 1958 Jones had his first Broadway speaking role in Sunrise at Campobello as the valet.
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Jones was then finding himself in many more roles over the years, performing in shows such as: Henry V, The Pretender, The Blacks, and later Othello.
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In 1963 Jones found success in Film with his debut role was Lt Lothar Zogg in Kubrick's Dr Strangelove. -
For a while Jones was married to actress Julienne Marie, but they ended up Divorcing in 1972.
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In the 1969 stage, and 1970 film production of the Great White Hope Jones was a principal role, with the play winning the 1969 best play Tony Award, and Pulitzer Prize for best drama. -
His found film success in the 1970s include The Man in 1972, Claudine in 1974, The River Niger in 1975 and The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings in 1976.
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Received critical acclaim for the two character for the two person stage play Paul Robeson (1979) and Othello (1982).
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In 1982 Jones married his second wife Cecilia Hart with whom he had a son, Flynn.
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Jones has stayed active in the acting scene, performing between many successes in films. Some of these roles are:
Fences(1987-90), Cat on a hot tin roof with an all black cast(2008), Driving Miss Daisy(2010-11), Best Man(2012), You Can Take it With You(2014-15), the Gin Game(2015-16). -
Unfortunately, Cecilia Hart passed away in 2016 after a battle with Ovarian Cancer. He remain currently unmarried .
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In 2017 Jones received a special Tony award for lifetime achievement in the theatre. -
In September of 2022, The Shubert Organization revealed the newly renamed James Earl Jones Theatre (138 West 48th Street), formerly the Cort Theatre, in honor of the award-winning American actor, who did not himself attend the ceremony but was given a prior tour of the premises.