History of James Earl Jones in Timeline
James Earl Jones is a highly acclaimed American actor, celebrated as a pioneer for black actors. He achieved the EGOT, one of the few performers to accomplish this feat. Jones is known for his extensive and distinguished career on stage and screen, marked by powerful performances and a commanding presence. His contributions to the entertainment industry have been recognized with numerous honors, including induction into the American Theater Hall of Fame, the National Medal of Arts, Kennedy Center Honors, a Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, and an Honorary Academy Award.
1910: Robert Earl Jones Born
In 1910, Robert Earl Jones, James Earl Jones' father, was born.
1911: Ruth Connolly Born
In 1911, Ruth Connolly, James Earl Jones' mother, was born.
January 17, 1931: James Earl Jones Born
On January 17, 1931, James Earl Jones was born in Arkabutla, Mississippi. He would later become a celebrated American actor known for his extensive roles on stage and screen.
1949: Graduation from Dickson Rural Agricultural School
In 1949, James Earl Jones graduated from Dickson Rural Agricultural School in Brethren, Michigan.
1953: Stage Carpenter at Ramsdell Theatre
In 1953, James Earl Jones worked as a stage carpenter at the Ramsdell Theatre in Manistee, Michigan.
1953: Commissioned as Second Lieutenant
In mid-1953, after the Korean War's end, James Earl Jones was commissioned as a second lieutenant.
1955: Acted and Stage Manager at Ramsdell Theatre
Between 1955 and 1957, James Earl Jones acted and was a stage manager at the Ramsdell Theatre in Manistee, Michigan.
1955: Graduation from the University of Michigan
In 1955, James Earl Jones graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in drama.
1957: Broadway Debut as Understudy in The Egghead
In 1957, James Earl Jones made his Broadway debut as an understudy in the short-lived play The Egghead.
1957: Broadway Debut
In 1957, James Earl Jones made his Broadway debut in the play Sunrise at Campobello.
January 1958: Featured Role in Sunrise at Campobello
In January 1958, James Earl Jones created the featured role of Edward the butler in Dore Schary's Sunrise at Campobello at the Cort Theatre.
1961: Appeared in The Blacks
In 1961, James Earl Jones appeared in an Off-Broadway production of The Blacks by Jean Genet.
1964: Starred in Othello with Shakespeare in the Park
In 1964, James Earl Jones gained notoriety starring in Othello with Shakespeare in the Park.
1964: Film Debut in Dr. Strangelove
In 1964, James Earl Jones made his film debut in Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove.
1965: Starred in Coriolanus with Shakespeare in the Park
In 1965, James Earl Jones gained notoriety starring in Coriolanus with Shakespeare in the Park.
December 1967: Starred in The Great White Hope
In December 1967, James Earl Jones starred in Howard Sackler's play, The Great White Hope, at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C.
October 3, 1968: The Great White Hope moved to Broadway
On October 3, 1968, The Great White Hope, starring James Earl Jones, moved to Broadway and became a huge success.
1968: Tony Award for The Great White Hope
In 1968, James Earl Jones won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for playing a boxer in The Great White Hope.
1969: Test Films for Sesame Street
In 1969, James Earl Jones participated in making test films for the children's education series Sesame Street.
1969: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play
In 1969, James Earl Jones won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his performance in The Great White Hope.
1970: Academy Award Nomination for The Great White Hope
In 1970, James Earl Jones reprised his role in the film adaptation of The Great White Hope, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
1970: Starred in The Great White Hope Film Adaptation
In 1970, James Earl Jones starred in the film adaptation of The Great White Hope, earning an Academy Award nomination.
1972: Starred in Hamlet with Shakespeare in the Park
In 1972, James Earl Jones gained notoriety starring in Hamlet with Shakespeare in the Park.
1973: Starred in King Lear with Shakespeare in the Park
In 1973, James Earl Jones gained notoriety starring in King Lear with Shakespeare in the Park.
1973: Played Hickey in The Iceman Cometh
In 1973, James Earl Jones played Hickey on Broadway in a revival of Eugene O'Neill's The Iceman Cometh.
1974: Played Lennie in Of Mice and Men
In 1974, James Earl Jones played Lennie on Broadway in the Brooks Atkinson Theatre production of Of Mice and Men.
1974: Sesame Street: Old School 1969-1974 DVD release
In 1974, the DVD Sesame Street: Old School 1969-1974 was released, including production notes citing the impact of James Earl Jones' segments.
1977: Debut as Darth Vader in Star Wars: A New Hope
In 1977, James Earl Jones made his debut as the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars: A New Hope.
1977: Grammy Award for Great American Documents
In 1977, James Earl Jones received a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Great American Documents.
1979: Appeared in CBS drama Paris
In late 1979, James Earl Jones appeared on the short-lived CBS police drama Paris.
1980: Reprised Darth Vader role in The Empire Strikes Back
In 1980, James Earl Jones reprised his voice role as Darth Vader in The Empire Strikes Back.
1982: Acted in Conan the Barbarian
In 1982, James Earl Jones acted in Conan the Barbarian.
1983: Reprised Darth Vader role in Return of the Jedi
In 1983, James Earl Jones reprised his voice role as Darth Vader in Return of the Jedi and was finally credited for the role.
1985: Voiced 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: Inducted into 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 theater.
1986: Death of Ruth Connolly
In 1986, Ruth Connolly, James Earl Jones' mother, passed away.
1987: Starred in Fences and Matewan
In 1987, James Earl Jones starred in August Wilson's play Fences and the independent film Matewan, receiving critical acclaim and awards nominations.
1987: Tony Award for Fences
In 1987, James Earl Jones won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his role in August Wilson's Fences.
1988: Acted in Coming to America
In 1988, James Earl Jones acted in Coming to America.
1989: Hosted Long Ago and Far Away
From 1989 to 1992, James Earl Jones served as the host of the children's TV series Long Ago and Far Away.
1989: Acted in Field of Dreams
In 1989, James Earl Jones acted in Field of Dreams.
1990: Acted in The Hunt for Red October
In 1990, James Earl Jones acted in The Hunt for Red October.
1992: National Medal of Arts
In 1992, James Earl Jones was honored with the National Medal of Arts, recognizing his contribution to the arts.
1992: Presented with National Medal of the Arts
In 1992, James Earl Jones was presented with the National Medal of the Arts by President George H. W. Bush.
1993: Acted in The Sandlot
In 1993, James Earl Jones acted in The Sandlot.
1994: Voiced Mufasa in The Lion King
In 1994, James Earl Jones voiced Mufasa in Disney's animated film The Lion King.
1995: Acted in Cry, the Beloved Country
In 1995, James Earl Jones acted in Cry, the Beloved Country.
1997: Credited for Darth Vader in Star Wars: A New Hope
In 1997, James Earl Jones was finally credited for his voice role as Darth Vader in the "Special Edition" re-release of Star Wars: A New Hope.
2002: Kennedy Center Honor
In 2002, James Earl Jones received the Kennedy Center Honor, celebrating his lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts.
2005: Tony Nomination for On Golden Pond
In 2005, James Earl Jones was Tony-nominated for his roles as part of an elderly couple in On Golden Pond.
2006: Death of Robert Earl Jones
In 2006, Robert Earl Jones, James Earl Jones' father, passed away.
2008: Acted in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
In 2008, James Earl Jones acted in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
2008: Interview about Darth Vader Role
In 2008, James Earl Jones explained in an interview his decision to be uncredited in the first two Star Wars films.
2009: Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award
In 2009, James Earl Jones was honored with the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, recognizing his outstanding contributions to film and television.
2010: Acted in Driving Miss Daisy
In 2010, James Earl Jones acted in Driving Miss Daisy.
2011: Acted in Driving Miss Daisy
In 2011, James Earl Jones acted in Driving Miss Daisy.
2011: Academy Honorary Award
In 2011, James Earl Jones received the Academy Honorary Award for his lifetime achievements in film.
2012: Tony Nomination for The Best Man
In 2012, James Earl Jones was Tony-nominated for his roles as a former President in The Best Man.
2014: Acted in You Can't Take It with You
In 2014, James Earl Jones acted in You Can't Take It with You.
2015: Acted in The Gin Game
In 2015, James Earl Jones acted in The Gin Game.
2017: Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement
In 2017, James Earl Jones received a Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement.
September 9, 2024: Death of James Earl Jones
On September 9, 2024, James Earl Jones, a highly acclaimed American actor and pioneer for Black actors, passed away.
