James Earl Jones
Known for
One of the most magnificent voices in the history of cinema, James Earl Jones was an American acting legend whose deep, thunderous bass defined two of film's greatest characters: the villain Darth Vader in 'Star Wars' (1977) and 'Return of the Jedi' (1983), and the noble lion Mufasa in 'The Lion King' (1994). A distinguished stage actor who overcame a childhood stutter, he won two Tony Awards and appeared in 'Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb' (1964) and 'Coming to America' (1988). Until his death in 2024, he remained a towering presence in American culture.
James Earl Jones
91 Movies
37 Series
One of the most magnificent voices in the history of cinema, James Earl Jones was an American acting legend whose deep, thunderous bass defined two of film's greatest characters: the villain Darth Vader in 'Star Wars' (1977) and 'Return of the Jedi' (1983), and the noble lion Mufasa in 'The Lion King' (1994). A distinguished stage actor who overcame a childhood stutter, he won two Tony Awards and appeared in 'Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb' (1964) and 'Coming to America' (1988). Until his death in 2024, he remained a towering presence in American culture.
Movies
Plays Mufasa (voice)
The Lion King
1994
Plays Darth Vader (voice)
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
2019
Plays Darth Vader (voice)
Return of the Jedi
1983
Plays Mufasa (voice)
The Lion King
2019
Plays King Jaffe Joffer
Coming to America
1988
Plays Voice Box at Hardware Store (voice)
Robots
2005
Plays Thulsa Doom
Conan the Barbarian
1982
Plays Darth Vader (voice)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
2016
Plays Mufasa (voice)
The Lion King II: Simba's Pride
1998
Plays Vice ADM James Greer
The Hunt for Red October
1990
Plays Lt. Lothar Zogg
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
1964
Plays King Jaffe Joffer
Coming 2 America
2021
Plays Terrence Mann
Field of Dreams
1989
Plays Mr. Mertle
The Sandlot
1993
Plays Mr. Bernard Abbott
Sneakers
1992
Plays Admiral James Greer
Clear and Present Danger
1994
Plays Adm. James Greer
Patriot Games
1992
Plays Mr. Mertle
The Sandlot 2
2005
Plays Frank Couzo
Best of the Best
1989
Plays Darth Vader (voice)
The Benchwarmers
2006
Plays Papa Jenkins
Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins
2008
Plays Older Kokumo
Exorcist II: The Heretic
1977
Plays Dugan
Three Fugitives
1989
Plays CNN Voiceover (voice)
Primary Colors
1998
Plays Sgt. Maj.'Goody' Nelson
Gardens of Stone
1987
Plays Umslopogaas
Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold
1986
Plays Arthur Baylor
Gang Related
1997
Plays Ommadon (voice)
The Flight of Dragons
1982
Plays Lt. Spencer
The Ambulance
1990
Plays The Giant (voice)
Jack and the Beanstalk
2009
Plays Kibosh (voice)
Casper: A Spirited Beginning
1997
Plays Earnest Moses
The Meteor Man
1993
Plays Ruben
The Angriest Man in Brooklyn
2014
Plays The Prisoner
The Bushido Blade
1981
Plays Professor Banks
Soul Man
1986
Plays Mister (voice)
Recess Christmas: Miracle On Third Street
2001
Plays 'Few Clothes' Johnson
Matewan
1987
Plays Admiral (voice)
Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odyssey
2010
Plays Frank McCarthy
Gimme Shelter
2013
Plays Daddy King (voice)
Our Friend, Martin
1999
Plays Ray Murdock
A Family Thing
1996
Plays Madison Hemings
Jefferson in Paris
1995
Plays Nick Debrett
Swashbuckler
1976
Plays Emperor of the Night (voice)
Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night
1987
Plays Storyteller (voice)
Nine Dog Christmas
2004
Plays John Dolby
Clean Slate
1994
Plays Bear
Scorchers
1991
Plays Older Marcel
Feast of All Saints
2001
Plays Malcolm X
The Greatest
1977
Plays Avery Phillips
Finder's Fee
2001
TV Shows
Plays Long John Spoilsport
Vegetable Soup
1975
Plays Gabriel Bird
Gabriel's Fire
1990
Plays Woody Paris
Paris
1979
Plays Gabriel Bird
Pros and Cons
1991
Plays Balthazar
Jesus of Nazareth
1977
Plays Darth Vader (voice)
Obi-Wan Kenobi
2022
Plays Diamond
Signs and Wonders
1995
Plays Will Cleveland
Everwood
2002
Plays Felix Wilson
Homicide: Life on the Street
1993
Plays Chief Thad Green
Mathnet
1987
Plays Dr. Lou Rush
Dr. Kildare
1961
Plays Rock of Ages
Merlin
1998
Plays Darth Vader (voice)
Star Wars Rebels
2014
Plays Major Walker
The Atlanta Child Murders
1985
Plays Father Divine
Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones
1980
Plays Lee Atkins
L.A. Law
1986
Plays Defense Attorney Horace McCoy
Law & Order
1990
Plays Dibala
House
2004
Plays Royal Flush Voice (voice)
According to Jim
2001
Plays James Earl Jones
Two and a Half Men
2003
Plays Norman Royster
Frasier
1993
Plays Franklin Stern
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
1993
Plays Unas (Voice)
Stargate SG-1
1997
Plays James Earl Jones
Will & Grace
1998
Plays Archibald Thacker
Hallmark Hall of Fame
1951
Plays Lieutenant Andrews
The Defenders
1961
Plays Alex Haley
Roots: The Next Generations
1979
Plays James Earl Jones
The Big Bang Theory
2007
Plays Maggie Simpson (voice)
The Simpsons
1989
Plays King Dakkar (voice)
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
1995
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
Coming 2 America
Full Filmography
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Darth Vader (voice) · 4 episodes
2022–
TV
Coming 2 America
King Jaffe Joffer
2021
Film
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Darth Vader (voice)
2019
Film
The Lion King
Mufasa (voice)
2019
Film
Warning Shot
Pendleton
2018
Film
The Lion Guard: Life In The Pride Lands
Mufasa (voice)
2017
Film
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Darth Vader (voice)
2016
Film
Star Wars Rebels
Darth Vader (voice) · 2 episodes
2014–
TV
The Angriest Man in Brooklyn
Ruben
2014
Film
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
Is James Earl Jones still alive?
James Earl Jones passed away on September 9, 2024 at age 93.
What are the most famous roles of James Earl Jones?
James Earl Jones is best known for roles in Star Wars, The Lion King, The Empire Strikes Back.
How many movies has James Earl Jones been in?
Over a 60-year career (since 1964), James Earl Jones has appeared in 82 movies and 35 TV shows.
What was James Earl Jones's first movie?
The career of James Earl Jones began with Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964).
What is James Earl Jones's most recent movie or series?
James Earl Jones's most recent release is Indiana Jones Adventure | Disneyland Resort, which premiered on July 17, 2025.
What TV shows has James Earl Jones appeared in?
On television, James Earl Jones has appeared in The Big Bang Theory, The Simpsons, House, Two and a Half Men.
James Earl Jones
1931-01-17 · Arkabutla, Mississippi, USA
James Earl Jones (January 17, 1931 – September 9, 2024) was an American actor. He was described as "one of America's most distinguished and versatile" actors for his performances on stage and screen, and "one of the greatest actors in American history". Over his career, he received three Tony Awards, two Emmy Awards, and a Grammy Award. He was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1985. He was honored with the National Medal of Arts in 1992, the Kennedy Center Honor in 2002, the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2009 and the Honorary Academy Award in 2011. His deep voice has been praised as a "stirring basso profondo that has lent gravel and gravitas" to his projects.