James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones (born January 17, 1931) is an American actor. One of the most acclaimed and influential actors of his generation, he has received numerous accolades, including three Tony Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, a Grammy Award, an Academy Honorary Award, and the National Medal of Arts.

Jones is known for his distinctive deep voice, which he has used to great effect in a variety of roles, including Darth Vader in the Star Wars series, Mufasa in The Lion King, and King Jaffe Joffer in Coming to America. He has also had a successful career on stage, appearing in productions of such plays as Othello, Macbeth, and The Emperor Jones.

Jones was born in Arkabutla, Mississippi, and grew up in Michigan. He attended the University of Michigan, where he studied drama. After graduating, he worked as a radio announcer and disc jockey before making his Broadway debut in 1957.

Jones's breakthrough role came in 1964, when he starred in the Broadway production of The Great White Hope. For his performance, he won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play. He went on to star in a number of other successful Broadway productions, including The Iceman Cometh, Fences, and Othello.

In 1977, Jones made his film debut in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope. He reprised the role of Darth Vader in the sequels The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983). Jones's performance as Darth Vader is considered one of the most iconic in film history.

In addition to his work in film and theater, Jones has also had a successful career in television. He has appeared in such shows as Roots, The Cosby Show, and Frasier. He has also won two Primetime Emmy Awards for his work on the PBS series Masterpiece Theatre.

Jones is widely considered to be one of the greatest actors of all time. He has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the National Medal of Arts in 2002 and the Academy Honorary Award in 2011. He is also a member of the American Theater Hall of Fame.

Here are some additional facts about James Earl Jones:

• He is the only actor to have won Tony Awards in three different decades (1960s, 1970s, and 1980s).
• He is the only actor to have been nominated for an Academy Award, a Tony Award, and a Grammy Award in the same year (1970).
• He is the voice of the narrator in the television series The Simpsons.
• He is the father of actor Flynn Jones.
• He is a graduate of the University of Michigan.