Career Timeline of James Earl Jones: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of James Earl Jones, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
James Earl Jones is a celebrated American actor, revered as a pioneer for Black actors. He has achieved the EGOT, demonstrating his talent across stage and screen. He has received numerous accolades including induction into the American Theater Hall of Fame (1985), the National Medal of Arts (1992), a Kennedy Center Honor (2002), the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award (2009), and an Honorary Academy Award (2011), recognizing his significant contributions to the performing arts.
1958: Sunrise at Campobello
In 1958, James Earl Jones performed in Sunrise at Campobello.
1958: Broadway Debut
James Earl Jones made his Broadway debut in 1958 at the Cort Theatre.
1959: Sunrise at Campobello
In 1959, James Earl Jones performed in Sunrise at Campobello.
1964: Dr. Strangelove
In 1964, James Earl Jones started his film career by appearing in the political satire film Dr. Strangelove as Lt. Lothar Zogg.
1965: First African American in Daytime Drama
In 1965, James Earl Jones became one of the first African American actors in a continuing role on a daytime drama, acting in As the World Turns.
1965: Danton's Death
In 1965, James Earl Jones performed in Danton's Death.
1970: The Great White Hope
In 1970, James Earl Jones starred in the film The Great White Hope as Jack Jefferson.
1973: The Iceman Cometh
In 1973, James Earl Jones performed in The Iceman Cometh.
1974: The Iceman Cometh and Of Mice and Men
In 1974, James Earl Jones performed in The Iceman Cometh and Of Mice and Men.
1975: Of Mice and Men
In 1975, James Earl Jones performed in Of Mice and Men.
1977: Roots and Jesus of Nazareth
In 1977, James Earl Jones acted in Roots and Jesus of Nazareth.
1979: Paris
From 1979 to 1980, James Earl Jones's television work includes playing Woodrow Paris in the series Paris.
1980: Paris
From 1979 to 1980, James Earl Jones's television work includes playing Woodrow Paris in the series Paris.
1985: Pharaoh in The Greatest Adventure
In 1985, James Earl Jones lent his voice as Pharaoh in the first episode of Hanna-Barbera's The Greatest Adventure: Stories from the Bible.
1985: Induction into the American Theater Hall of Fame
In 1985, James Earl Jones was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame, recognizing his significant contributions to the field of theater.
1987: Recipient of the Annie Glenn Award
In 1987, James Earl Jones was the first recipient of the National Association for Hearing and Speech Action's Annie Glenn Award, recognizing his contributions to the field.
1988: Coming to America
In 1988, the original movie "Coming to America" was released.
1989: Host of Long Ago and Far Away
In 1989, James Earl Jones began serving as the host of the children's TV series Long Ago and Far Away, a role he continued until 1992.
1990: Film Appearances
In 1990, James Earl Jones appeared in the successful film The Hunt for Red October.
1990: Lead Role in Gabriel's Fire
In 1990, James Earl Jones played the lead character in the TV series Gabriel's Fire on ABC. In this series, Jones portrayed a former policeman wrongly convicted of murder who becomes a private eye after his release from prison.
1990: Voice Work for The Simpsons
In 1990, James Earl Jones provided voice work for The Simpsons "Treehouse of Horror" Halloween special and in two other episodes.
1990: Heat Wave
In 1990, James Earl Jones received a Primetime Emmy Award for his role in Heat Wave.
1991: Gabriel's Fire
In 1991, James Earl Jones received a Primetime Emmy Award for his role in Gabriel's Fire.
1991: Recipient of the Common Wealth Award
In 1991, James Earl Jones received the Common Wealth Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Dramatic Arts, honoring his excellence in the field.
1992: Awarded the National Medal of Arts
In 1992, George H. W. Bush awarded James Earl Jones the National Medal of Arts, acknowledging his significant impact on the arts.
1992: Pros and Cons
In 1992, James Earl Jones played the lead character in a revamped version of Gabriel's Fire called Pros and Cons aired on ABC.
1992: National Medal of the Arts and Patriot Games
In 1992, James Earl Jones was presented with the National Medal of the Arts by President George H. W. Bush and appeared in the film Patriot Games.
July 13, 1993: Sings the National Anthem
On July 13, 1993, James Earl Jones, accompanied by the Morgan State University choir, spoke the U.S. national anthem before the 1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Baltimore.
1993: Film Appearance: The Sandlot
In 1993, James Earl Jones appeared in the film The Sandlot.
1994: Picket Fences and The Simpsons
In 1994, James Earl Jones acted in Picket Fences and voiced characters on the animated series The Simpsons.
1994: Performed in A Christmas Carol
In 1994, James Earl Jones performed the role of "Ebenezer Scrooge" alongside Martin Sheen and Robert MacNeil in a public reading of A Christmas Carol at the Pierpont Morgan Library in New York City.
1994: The Lion King and Clear and Present Danger
In 1994, James Earl Jones voiced Mufasa in Disney's The Lion King and appeared in Clear and Present Danger.
1995: Film Appearance: Cry, the Beloved Country
In 1995, James Earl Jones appeared in the film Cry, the Beloved Country.
1995: Starred in Under One Roof
In 1995, James Earl Jones starred in Under One Roof as Neb Langston, a widowed African-American police officer sharing his home in Seattle with his family.
1996: Received the Golden Palm Star
In 1996, James Earl Jones received the Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs, California, Walk of Stars, celebrating his achievements in entertainment.
1996: Recited "Casey at the Bat"
In 1996, James Earl Jones recited the classic baseball poem "Casey at the Bat" with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra.
1997: Homicide: Life on the Street
In 1997, James Earl Jones acted in Homicide: Life on the Street.
1998: Starred in An American Moment
In 1998, James Earl Jones starred in the syndicated program An American Moment, taking over the role filled by Charles Kuralt.
1998: The Simpsons Voice Work
In 1998, James Earl Jones voiced various characters on the animated series The Simpsons.
2000: Voice for Summer Olympics Coverage
In 2000, James Earl Jones lent his voice to the opening for NBC's coverage of the Summer Olympics.
2004: Voice for Summer Olympics Coverage
In 2004, James Earl Jones lent his voice to the opening for NBC's coverage of the Summer Olympics.
April 7, 2005: On Golden Pond Broadway Revival
On April 7, 2005, James Earl Jones and Leslie Uggams starred in an African-American Broadway revival version of On Golden Pond.
2005: On Golden Pond
In 2005, James Earl Jones performed in On Golden Pond.
2005: Uncredited Darth Vader Voice
In 2005, James Earl Jones's voice was possibly heard as Darth Vader at the conclusion of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.
June 1, 2007: Recited "Casey at the Bat" at Phillies Game
On June 1, 2007, James Earl Jones recited the classic baseball poem "Casey at the Bat" before a Philadelphia Phillies home game.
February 2008: Big Daddy in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
In February 2008, James Earl Jones starred on Broadway as Big Daddy in an all-African-American production of Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
2008: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
In 2008, James Earl Jones performed in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
November 2009: Reprised Role in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof
In November 2009, James Earl Jones reprised the role of Big Daddy in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof at the Novello Theatre in London's West End.
2009: Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award
In 2009, James Earl Jones was presented with the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award for his work on film and television by Forest Whitaker.
October 2010: Driving Miss Daisy on Broadway
In October 2010, James Earl Jones returned to the Broadway stage in Alfred Uhry's Driving Miss Daisy, along with Vanessa Redgrave.
November 12, 2011: Received an Honorary Academy Award
On November 12, 2011, James Earl Jones received an Honorary Academy Award, recognizing his distinguished career and contributions to the film industry.
November 2011: Driving Miss Daisy in London and Honorary Oscar
In November 2011, James Earl Jones starred in Driving Miss Daisy in London's West End and received an honorary Oscar.
2011: Academy Honorary Award
In 2011, James Earl Jones received an Academy Honorary Award.
2011: Recipient of the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center Monte Cristo Award
In 2011, James Earl Jones received the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center Monte Cristo Award, recognizing his significant contributions to the theater.
March 2012: The Best Man on Broadway
In March 2012, James Earl Jones played President Art Hockstader in Gore Vidal's The Best Man on Broadway, receiving a Tony Award nomination.
2012: Marian Anderson Award Recipient
In 2012, James Earl Jones was the Marian Anderson Award Recipient, celebrating his achievements and contributions to the arts.
June 2013: Australian Tour of Driving Miss Daisy
From February to June 2013, James Earl Jones starred alongside Dame Angela Lansbury in an Australian tour of Driving Miss Daisy.
2013: Sprint Commercials
In 2013, James Earl Jones appeared in a series of commercials for Sprint with Malcolm McDowell, reciting mundane phone and text-message conversations.
2014: Sprint Commercials
In 2014, James Earl Jones appeared in a series of commercials for Sprint with Malcolm McDowell, reciting mundane phone and text-message conversations.
2014: You Can't Take It with You
In 2014, James Earl Jones performed in You Can't Take It with You.
2014: Won the Voice Icon Award
In 2014, James Earl Jones won the Voice Icon Award sponsored by the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences at the Museum of the Moving Image, acknowledging his iconic voice work.
September 23, 2015: The Gin Game Revival Opens
On September 23, 2015, James Earl Jones opened in a new revival of The Gin Game opposite Cicely Tyson, at the John Golden Theater.
December 27, 2015: Agent X Finale
On December 27, 2015, the television series Agent X, starring James Earl Jones as Chief Justice Caleb Thorne, aired its final episode.
2015: You Can't Take It with You
In 2015, James Earl Jones performed in You Can't Take It with You.
January 10, 2016: The Gin Game Closes
On January 10, 2016, James Earl Jones's play "The Gin Game" closed after a limited run.
2016: Darth Vader in Rogue One
In 2016, James Earl Jones reprised his voice role of Darth Vader for the live-action film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
2017: Honored with a Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement
In 2017, James Earl Jones was honored with a Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement, celebrating his remarkable career in theater.
2019: Darth Vader Cameo
In 2019, James Earl Jones reprised his role of Darth Vader in a three-word cameo in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
2019: Mufasa in The Lion King Remake
In 2019, James Earl Jones reprised his voice role of Mufasa for the CGI remake of The Lion King.
2019: Honored as a Disney Legend
In 2019, James Earl Jones was honored as a Disney Legend, recognizing his contributions to The Walt Disney Company.
2021: Final Screen Credit
In 2021, James Earl Jones reprised the role of King Jaffe Joffer in Coming 2 America, which was his final screen credit.
September 2022: Retirement from Darth Vader Voice Role
In September 2022, James Earl Jones announced that he would retire from voicing Darth Vader, with future voice roles to be created using archival recordings and Respeecher software.
2024: CNN Tagline Still in Use
As of 2024, the CNN tagline voiced by James Earl Jones in 1990 is still in use by CNN.
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