James Earl Jones

Birth Place: Arkabutla, MS, USA

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James Earl Jones BIO

James Earl Jones made his Broadway debut in 1957 and has won Tony Awards for the Broadway productions of The Great White Hope and Fences; a Tony nomination for On Golden Pond; Drama Desk Awards for Othello, Les Blancs, Hamlet, The Cherry Orchard and Fences; Obie Awards for Clandestine on the Morning Line, The Apple, Moon on a Rainbow Shawl and Baal; a Theatre World Award for Moon on a Rainbow Shawl; the Los Angeles Critics Circle Award for Fences; and an Olivier Award nomination for his portrayal of Big Daddy in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in London.
Additional theatre credits include Cat on a Hot Tin Roof on Broadway, Paul Robeson, The Iceman Cometh, Of Mice and Men and most recently the Broadway and London productions of Driving Miss Daisy.
Jones is also an award-winning film and television actor and was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Oscar.

James Earl Jones Photos

James Earl Jones STAGE CREDITS

[Regional (US)]
American Repertory Theater Regional Production, 2017
Nonno

[Off-Broadway]
New York City Center Encores Off-Center Production, 2016
Kilgore Trout

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2015
Weller Martin

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2014
Martin Vanderhof

[US Tour]
National Tour, 2013
Robbins [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2012
Ex-President Arthur Hockstader

[West End]
London Production, 2011
Hoke Colburn

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2010
Hoke Colburn

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2008
Big Daddy

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2005
Norman Thayer, Jr.

[Broadway]
1987
Troy Maxson

[Broadway]
1982
Sam [Replacement]

[Broadway]
1982
Othello

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1980
Steve Daniels

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1978
Paul Robeson

[Broadway]
1974
Lennie

[Broadway]
1973
Theodore Hickman

[Off-Broadway]
1973
Lear

[Off-Broadway]
1972
Lopahin

[Off-Broadway]
1972
Claudius

[Broadway]
1970
Tshembe Matoseh

[Off-Broadway]
1970
Boesman

[Broadway]
1968
Jack Jefferson

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1966
Performer

[Broadway]
1965
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1965
Ajax

[Off-Broadway]
1965
Junius Brutus

[Off-Broadway]
1965
Ekart

[Off-Broadway]
1964
Othello

[Off-Broadway]
1964
Othello

[Off-Broadway]
1964
Zachariah Pieterson

[Off-Broadway]
1963
Rudge

[Off-Broadway]
1963
George Gulp

[Off-Broadway]
1962
Mario Saccone

[Off-Broadway]
1962
Prince of Morocco

[Off-Broadway]
1961
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1961
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1961
Deodatus Village

[Broadway]
1960
Harrison Thurston

[Broadway]
1958
Edward

[Broadway]
Performer

James Earl Jones Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 1972]
Conceiver

James Earl Jones Movies

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
[ 1964 ] Lt. Lothar Zogg
The Comedians
[ 1967 ] Dr. Magiot
The Great White Hope
[ 1970 ] Jack Jefferson
End of the Road
[ 1970 ] Doctor D
Claudine
[ 1974 ] Roop
Deadly Hero
[ 1975 ] Rabbit Shazam
The River Niger
[ 1976 ] Johnny Williams
The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings
[ 1976 ] Leon Carter, All-Star C
Swashbuckler
[ 1976 ] Nick Debrett
The Greatest
[ 1977 ] Malcolm X
A Piece of the Action
[ 1977 ] Joshua Burke
The Last Remake of Beau Geste
[ 1977 ] Sheikh
Exorcist II: The Heretic
[ 1977 ] Older Kokumo
The Bushido Blade
[ 1981 ] The Prisoner
Bloodtide
[ 1982 ] Frye
Conan the Barbarian
[ 1982 ] Thulsa Doom
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi
[ 1983 ] Darth Vader
City Limits
[ 1984 ] Albert
Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold
[ 1986 ] Umslopoga
Soul Man
[ 1986 ] Professor Banks
My Little Girl
[ 1986 ] Ike Bailey
Gardens of Stone
[ 1987 ] Goody Nelson
Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night
[ 1987 ] Emperor of the Night
Matewan
[ 1987 ] Few Clothes
Coming to America
[ 1988 ] King Jaffe Joffer
Three Fugitives
[ 1989 ] Dugan
Best of the Best
[ 1989 ] Frank Couzo
Field of Dreams
[ 1989 ] Terence Mann
The Ambulance
[ 1990 ] Lt. Spencer
Grim Prairie Tales
[ 1990 ] Morrison
Terrorgram
[ 1990 ] Retribution
The Hunt for Red October
[ 1990 ] Admiral Greer
True Identity
[ 1991 ] James Earl Jones
Convicts
[ 1991 ] Ben Johnson
Scorchers
[ 1991 ] Bear
Freddie as F.R.O.7.
[ 1992 ] Narrator
Sneakers
[ 1992 ] Mr. Bernard Abbott
Patriot Games
[ 1992 ] Admiral Greer
The Sandlot
[ 1993 ] Mr. Mertle
Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama
[ 1993 ] Narrator
Dreamrider
[ 1993 ] William Perry
Sommersby
[ 1993 ] Judge Issacs
Excessive Force
[ 1993 ] Jake
The Meteor Man
[ 1993 ] Earnest Moses
Clear and Present Danger
[ 1994 ] Admiral Greer
Clean Slate
[ 1994 ] John Dolby
The Lion King
[ 1994 ] Mufa
Cry, the Beloved Country
[ 1995 ] Rev. Stephen Kumalo
Jefferson in Paris
[ 1995 ] Madison Hemings
A Family Thing
[ 1996 ] Ray Murdock
Good Luck
[ 1996 ] James Bing
Gang Related
[ 1997 ] Arthur Baylor
Primary Colors
[ 1998 ] CNN Voiceover
The Annihilation of Fish
[ 1999 ] Fish
Undercover Angel
[ 1999 ] The Judge
On the Q.T.
[ 2001 ] Leo
Finder's Fee
[ 2001 ] Avery Phillips
Robots
[ 2005 ] Voice Box at Hardware Store
The Benchwarmers
[ 2006 ] Darth Vader
Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins
[ 2008 ] Papa Jenkins
Jack and the Beanstalk
[ 2009 ] The Giant
Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odyssey
[ 2010 ] Admiral
Gimme Shelter
[ 2013 ] Frank McCarthy
The Angriest Man in Brooklyn
[ 2014 ] Ruben Video store owner
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
[ 2016 ] Darth Vader
Warning Shot
[ 2018 ] Pendleton
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker
[ 2019 ] Darth Vader
Coming 2 America
[ 2021 ] King Jaffe Joffer
Dark Suns
[ 2023 ] Darth Vader

James Earl Jones TV Shows

Everwood
Will Cleveland
Gabriel's Fire
Gabriel Bird
L.A. Law
Lee Atkins
Mathnet
Chief Thad Green
Paris
Woody Paris
Pros and Cons
Gabriel Bird
Square One Television
Announcer, Chief Thad Green
Star Wars: Rebels
Darth Vader
Tarzan
Nerlan, Chief Bella
The Simpsons
Narrator, Maggie Simpson, Moving Man

James Earl Jones Awards and Nominations


winner
Tony Awards - 2017 - Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement

James Earl Jones


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2012 - Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play

James Earl Jones, The Best Man

Tony Awards - 2012 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

James Earl Jones, Gore Vidal's The Best Man

Olivier Awards - 2010 - Best Actor

James Earl Jones, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2008 - Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play

James Earl Jones, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Helen Hayes Awards - 2005 - Outstanding Lead Actor, Non-Resident Production

James Earl JonesOn Golden Pond

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2005 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

James Earl Jones, On Golden Pond

Tony Awards - 2005 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

James Earl Jones, On Golden Pond


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1987 - Outstanding Actor - Play

James Earl Jones, Fences


winner
Drama League Awards - 1987 - Distinguished Performance Award

James Earl Jones, Fences


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 1987 - The American Express Tribute

James Earl Jones


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1987 - Best Actor

James Earl Jones, Fences


winner
Tony Awards - 1987 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

James Earl Jones, Fences

Drama Desk Awards - 1978 - Outstanding Actor - Play

James Earl Jones, Paul Robeson


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1973 - Outstanding Performance

James Earl Jones, The Cherry Orchard


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1973 - Outstanding Performance

James Earl Jones, Hamlet


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1971 - Outstanding Performance

James Earl Jones, Les Blancs


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1969 - Outstanding Performance

James Earl Jones, The Great White Hope


winner
Tony Awards - 1969 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

James Earl Jones, The Great White Hope


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1965 - Best Performance

James Earl Jones, Othello


winner
Obie Awards - 1965 - Performance

James Earl JonesBeal


winner
Obie Awards - 1962 - Best Actor

James Earl Jones , Clandestine on the Morning Line


winner
Obie Awards - 1962 - Best Actor

James Earl Jones , The Apple


winner
Obie Awards - 1962 - Best Actor

James Earl Jones Moon on a Rainbow Shawl


winner
Theatre World Awards - 1962 - Performance

James Earl JonesMoon on a Rainbow Shawl

James Earl Jones Videos

James Earl Jones News


Video: Watch McKenzie Kurtz Perform 'It Hit Me Like a Hammer' From THE HEART OF ROCK & ROLL

McKenzie Kurtz appeared on Late Night With Jimmy Kimmel to perform 'It Hit Me Like A Hammer' from The Heart of Rock & Roll. Kimmel sat down with Huey Lewis to discuss how the musical is 'significantly' different from it's pre-Broadway run. The televised Broadway performance is a rarity for Kimmel's LA-based talk show. Watch the video now!

Video: THE HEART OF ROCK AND ROLL Moves Into the James Earl Jones Theatre

Check out the latest video as THE HEART OF ROCK AND ROLL takes center stage at the James Earl Jones Theatre.

James Earl Jones Theatre and La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club Receive Lucy G. Moses Preservation Awards

The New York Landmarks Conservancy has announced the winners of the 2024 Lucy G. Moses Preservation Awards, the Conservancy's highest honors for excellence in preservation. Learn more about the winners here!

Review: COMPANY at Kennedy Center

Phone rings, door chimes, in comes a dazzling reimagined production of Stephen Sondheim’s and George Furth’s classic, COMPANY, to the Kennedy Center stage.

COMPANY to be Presented at the Benedum Center in April

The Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim's and George Furth's COMPANY, winner of five 2022 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, will be on stage at the Benedum Center for eight performances. See how to purchase tickets.

Up on the Marquee: THE HEART OF ROCK AND ROLL

Rehearsals are now underway for The Heart of Rock and Roll, which is set to begin previews on March 29th, 2024. Check out photos of the Broadway marquee!

24 Theater Books for Your Spring 2024 Reading List

Need a great book to spring into the new season? This spring, Broadway's best have put pen to paper to turn out theatre page-turners of every kind. From theatre biographies to theatre fiction; theatre books for kids to theatre history; check out our collection of 24 new Broadway books for every theatre lover's spring reading list.

Westport Country Playhouse to Offer Guided Tours

Westport Country Playhouse will present “From the Page to the Stage” guided tours, available to the public by reservation on selected Friday and Saturday mornings.

Video: Watch a Sneak Peek of THE HEART OF ROCK AND ROLL in Rehearsals

The heart of rock and roll is beating on Broadway this Spring as the new musical, featuring the music of Huey Lewis, arrives at the James Earl Jones Theatre. In this video, watch as the cast and creative team give a special sneak peek of 'The Heart of Rock and Roll,' 'The Power of Love,' 'Workin' For a Livin,' and 'The Only One.'

Photos: The Cast and Creatives of THE HEART OF ROCK & ROLL Meet the Press

The Heart of Rock and Roll is headed to Broadway this month! The show's cast and creative team recently met the press and BroadwayWorld was there. Check out photos from the event here!

Denzel Washington & Jake Gyllenhaal to Star in OTHELLO on Broadway

Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal will return to Broadway next season in a production of Othello directed by Kenny Leon. The production is set for an unspecified Shubert theatre.

Video: Huey Lewis is Ready to See His Music Rock on Broadway

In this video, watch as the great Huey Lewis chats with BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge about his new Broadway musical, The Heart of Rock and Roll.  

Kate Walsh & More to Star in JORDANS World Premiere at The Public Theater

The Public Theater has revealed the complete cast for the world premiere of JORDANS written by Ife Olujobi and directed by Obie Award winner Whitney White. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

Review: Societal Consciousness in A Political Era With GOD BLESS YOU, MR. ROSEWATER at freeFall Theatre

God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater is Kurt Vonnegut’s fifth novel and was published in 1965. Its Post-Modern Satire context paved way for Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five, arguably his most well-known work. In the novel, Vonnegut highlights the life and times of the consciously-bound multi-millionaire Eliot Rosewater.

New Music Venue The Central Park Café Opens Across The Street From Carnegie Hall

The Central Park Café is bringing the finest in New York cabaret to their restaurant across the street from Carnegie Hall. Learn more about the venue!

Reading Rainbow Documentary BUTTERFLY IN THE SKY Sets March Release

The doc feature, which tells the story of the beloved PBS Children's series, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. The XTR film will have a Limited Theatrical Release starting in March at select AMC Theatres, followed by Additional Cities and FIFTH SEASON on board for the Digital Release and worldwide sales.

Len Cariou & Peter Filichia To Be Honored at 78th Annual Theatre World Awards

The Theatre World Awards Board of Directors has announced two of the individuals to be honored at 78th Annual Theatre World Awards to be held on Monday evening, June 10, 2024 beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Review: COMPANY at Fox Theatre, St. Louis

Company is a fun romp about looking for love in all the wrong places. Filled with great performances and delightful musical numbers, it is a relentless roller coaster ride of emotions whose themes of romance, sex, marriage, and divorce remain just a s relevant today as whenit debuted in 1970. our critic think of COMPANY at Fox Theatre, St. Louis?

Where Broadway's Newest Shows Got Their Start

Check out where this spring's Broadway shows had their out-of-town tryouts at theatres all over the country.

James Earl Jones FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has James Earl Jones been in?

James Earl Jones has appeared on Broadway in 20 shows.

How many West End shows has James Earl Jones been in?

James Earl Jones has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

What was James Earl Jones's first West End show?

James Earl Jones's first West End show was Driving Miss Daisy which opened in 2011

What awards has James Earl Jones been nominated for?

James Earl Jones has been nominated for several awards throughout his career, including the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement (Tony Awards), Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play for "The Best Man" (Outer Critics Circle Awards), Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for "Gore Vidal's The Best Man" (Tony Awards), Best Actor for "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof" (Olivier Awards), Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play for "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" (Outer Critics Circle Awards), Outstanding Lead Actor, Non-Resident Production for "On Golden Pond" (Helen Hayes Awards), Outstanding Actor in a Play for "On Golden Pond" (Outer Critics Circle Awards), Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for "On Golden Pond" (Tony Awards), Outstanding Actor - Play for "Fences" (Drama Desk Awards), Distinguished Performance Award for "Fences" (Drama League Awards), The American Express Tribute (Helen Hayes Awards), Best Actor for "Fences" (Outer Critics Circle Awards), Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for "Fences" (Tony Awards), Outstanding Actor - Play for "Paul Robeson" (Drama Desk Awards), Outstanding Performance for "The Cherry Orchard" (Drama Desk Awards), Outstanding Performance for "Hamlet" (Drama Desk Awards), Outstanding Performance for "Les Blancs" (Drama Desk Awards), Outstanding Performance for "The Great White Hope" (Drama Desk Awards), Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for "The Great White Hope" (Tony Awards), Best Performance for "Othello" (Drama Desk Awards), Performance for "Beal" (Obie Awards), Best Actor for "Clandestine on the Morning Line" (Obie Awards), Best Actor for "The Apple" (Obie Awards), Best Actor for "Moon on a Rainbow Shawl" (Obie Awards), and Performance for "Moon on a Rainbow Shawl" (Theatre World Awards).

What awards has James Earl Jones won?

James Earl Jones has won several prestigious awards throughout his career, including the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement, Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "The Best Man" and "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," Outstanding Actor - Play from the Drama Desk Awards for "Fences," Distinguished Performance Award from the Drama League Awards for "Fences," the American Express Tribute from the Helen Hayes Awards, Best Actor from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Fences," Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for "Fences," Outstanding Performance from the Drama Desk Awards for "Hamlet," "The Cherry Orchard," "Les Blancs," and "The Great White Hope," Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for "The Great White Hope," Best Performance from the Drama Desk Awards for "Othello," Performance from the Obie Awards for "Beal," Best Actor from the Obie Awards for "Clandestine on the Morning Line," "The Apple," and "Moon on a Rainbow Shawland," and Performance from the Theatre World Awards for "Moon on a Rainbow Shawl."

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