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

[1964]Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb Lt. Lothar Zogg

[1967]The Comedians Dr. Magiot

[1970]The Great White Hope Jack Jefferson

[1970]End of the Road Doctor D

[1974]Claudine Roop

[1975]Deadly Hero Rabbit Shazam

[1976]The River Niger Johnny Williams

[1976]The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings Leon Carter, All-Star C

[1976]Swashbuckler Nick Debrett

[1977]The Greatest Malcolm X

[1977]A Piece of the Action Joshua Burke

[1977]The Last Remake of Beau Geste Sheikh

[1977]Exorcist II: The Heretic Older Kokumo

[1981]The Bushido Blade The Prisoner

[1982]Bloodtide Frye

[1982]Conan the Barbarian Thulsa Doom

[1983]Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi Darth Vader

[1984]City Limits Albert

[1986]Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold Umslopoga

[1986]Soul Man Professor Banks

[1986]My Little Girl Ike Bailey

[1987]Gardens of Stone Goody Nelson

[1987]Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night Emperor of the Night

[1987]Matewan Few Clothes

[1988]Coming to America King Jaffe Joffer

[1989]Three Fugitives Dugan

[1989]Best of the Best Frank Couzo

[1989]Field of Dreams Terence Mann

[1990]The Ambulance Lt. Spencer

[1990]Grim Prairie Tales Morrison

[1990]Terrorgram Retribution

[1990]The Hunt for Red October Admiral Greer

[1991]True Identity James Earl Jones

[1991]Convicts Ben Johnson

[1991]Scorchers Bear

[1992]Freddie as F.R.O.7. Narrator

[1992]Sneakers Mr. Bernard Abbott

[1992]Patriot Games Admiral Greer

[1993]The Sandlot Mr. Mertle

[1993]Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama Narrator

[1993]Dreamrider William Perry

[1993]Sommersby Judge Issacs

[1993]Excessive Force Jake

[1993]The Meteor Man Earnest Moses

[1994]Clear and Present Danger Admiral Greer

[1994]Clean Slate John Dolby

[1994]The Lion King Mufa

[1995]Cry, the Beloved Country Rev. Stephen Kumalo

[1995]Jefferson in Paris Madison Hemings

[1996]A Family Thing Ray Murdock

[1996]Good Luck James Bing

[1997]Gang Related Arthur Baylor

[1998]Primary Colors CNN Voiceover

[1999]The Annihilation of Fish Fish

[1999]Undercover Angel The Judge

[2001]On the Q.T. Leo

[2001]Finder's Fee Avery Phillips

[2005]Robots Voice Box at Hardware Store

[2006]The Benchwarmers Darth Vader

[2008]Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins Papa Jenkins

[2009]Jack and the Beanstalk The Giant

[2010]Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odyssey Admiral

[2013]Gimme Shelter Frank McCarthy

[2014]The Angriest Man in Brooklyn Ruben Video store owner

[2016]Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Darth Vader

[2018]Warning Shot Pendleton

[2019]Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker Darth Vader

[2021]Coming 2 America King Jaffe Joffer

[2023]Dark Suns 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

Olivier Awards - 2010 - Best Actor

James Earl Jones, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof

Drama Desk Awards - 1973 - Outstanding Performance

James Earl Jones, The Cherry Orchard

Drama Desk Awards - 1969 - Outstanding Performance

James Earl Jones, The Great White Hope

Obie Awards - 1965 - Performance

James Earl JonesBeal

Obie Awards - 1962 - Best Actor

James Earl Jones , Clandestine on the Morning Line

Obie Awards - 1962 - Best Actor

James Earl Jones , The Apple

Obie Awards - 1962 - Best Actor

James Earl Jones Moon on a Rainbow Shawl

Theatre World Awards - 1962 - Performance

James Earl JonesMoon on a Rainbow Shawl

James Earl Jones Videos

James Earl Jones News


Review: COMPANY National Tour Comes to Philadelphia's Forrest Theatre

Read BroadwayWorld's review of the National Tour of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth's Company, currently playing at Philadelphia's Forrest Theatre.

Video: 'Weird Al' Yankovic Joins GUTENBERG! THE MUSICAL! as Special Guest

Watch 'Weird Al' Yankovic join Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells as a special guest at Gutenberg! The Musical!

Review: COMPANY at Blumenthal Performing Arts

Injecting diversity, switching genders pell-mell, and even gifting us with a gay couple, Marianne Elliott's overhaul of Stephen Sondheim's COMPANY isn't more illuminating or revelatory than the 1970 original. But the horseplay and the gay wedding-day shenanigans are wildly entertaining - and the superb score still transcends the George Furth book.

Review: COMPANY at Orpheum Theatre Minneapolis

What did our critic think of COMPANY at Orpheum Theatre Minneapolis?

Jeff Cohen's SQUEAKY Will Receive Developmental Readings This Month

As part of its new Building the Box Developmental Reading Series, Out of the Box Theatrics will present readings of SQUEAKY, a poignant autobiographical comedy by Drama Desk Award winner Jeff Cohen.

CaixaForum Plus incluye el documental ON BROADWAY en su plataforma

La pieza dirigida por Oren Jacoby del 2019 se puede ver ya en streaming.

Review: COMPANY National Tour Presented by Broadway In Chicago

This COMPANY is a touching portrait of one woman’s attempts to connect with her friends amid a bustling New York City, simultaneously a connecting and isolating place.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld November 2nd, 2023

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is November 2, 2023 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Huey Lewis Musical THE HEART OF ROCK AND ROLL Will Arrive on Broadway in 2024

As BroadwayWorld first reported in September, The Heart of Rock and Roll is coming to Broadway! Producers Hunter Arnold, Tyler Mitchell and Kayla Greenspan announced that the new musical inspired by the iconic songs of Huey Lewis and The News, will open on Broadway at The James Earl Jones Theatre.

Perelman Performing Arts Center to Present IS IT THURSDAY YET? & More Dance Programming

The Perelman Performing Arts Center will present Is It Thursday Yet?, The March, and Motion/Matter: Street Dance Festival at the new performing arts center at the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan. 

Lynn Nottage to be Honored at Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's 22nd Monte Cristo Award Gala

The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center will present the 22nd Monte Cristo Award to award-winning playwright and screenwriter Lynn Nottage. 

Exclusive Photos: Get A First Look At Britney Coleman, Judy McLane, & More COMPANY on Tour

BroadwayWorld has an exclusive first look at the national tour of the Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim's and George Furth's Company, winner of five 2022 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival.

GUTENBERG! THE MUSICAL! on Broadway- A Complete Guide

Looking for all the latest info on one of Broadway's hottest shows? BroadwayWorld has the full scoop on everything that you need to know about Gutenberg! The Musical! on Broadway. Check out all the details below!

Review Roundup: COMPANY Kicks Off National Tour

The Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim's and George Furth's Company, winner of five 2022 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, launched its North American Tour this month at Proctors Theatre in Schenectady, NY. Read the reviews for Company here!

Red Bull Theater to Continue Revelation Readings With THE INN AT LYDDA

RED BULL THEATER will present THE INN AT LYDDA featuring Amir Arison, Alfredo Narciso, Jay O. Sanders, and more in their Revelation Readings series.

Riverside Studios Hosts International Programme of Theatre, Film, Cabaret And Visual Arts for Winter Season

Details have been announced for events at Riverside Studios happening across October, November, and December, including theatre, cinema, exhibitions, and cabaret.

Tickets Now On Sale For COMPANY in Boston

Broadway In Boston has announced that the Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim’s and George Furth’s COMPANY, winner of five 2022 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, will play the Citizens Bank Opera House April 2 – 14, 2024 as part of the Lexus 23/24 Broadway In Boston Season.

Video: Stars Walk the Red Carpet for Opening Night of GUTENBERG!

It was a big night last Thursday at the James Earl Jones Theatre, where Tony Award nominees Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells returned to Broadway in Gutenberg! The Musical!  In this video, check out interviews from the star studded red carpet with Jimmy Fallon, Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Nathan Lane, Kerry Butler, Nikki M. James and more!

Have There Been Many Two-Person Broadway Musicals Before GUTENBERG?

This time, the reader question was: Have there been many Broadway musicals starring only two actors, before Gutenberg! The Musical!?

Photos: See Bryan Cranston, Jimmy Fallon, Debra Messing, Anna Wintour & More at GUTENBERG! THE MUSICAL! Opening Night

Get a glimpse of the celebrities who attended the opening night of GUTENBERG! THE MUSICAL! including Jimmy Fallon, Debra Messing, Bryan Cranston, and more.

James Earl Jones FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

James Earl Jones has appeared on Broadway in 20 shows.

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

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

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

James Earl Jones has won numerous awards throughout his career. Some of his notable wins include 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," and the American Express Tribute from the Helen Hayes Awards. He has also won the Best Actor award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards and the Tony Awards for his performance in "Fences," as well as Outstanding Performance awards from the Drama Desk Awards for "Hamlet," "The Cherry Orchard," "Les Blancs," and "The Great White Hope." Additionally, he has won the Best Performance award from the Drama Desk Awards for "Othello," Performance awards from the Obie Awards for "Beal," "Clandestine on the Morning Line," "The Apple," and "Moon on a Rainbow Shawland," and a Performance award from the Theatre World Awards for "Moon on a Rainbow Shawl."

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