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James Earl Jones

Birth Place: Arkabutla, MS, USA

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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.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

The Night of the Iguana The Night of the Iguana
[Regional (US)]
American Repertory Theater Regional Production, 2017
Nonno
Kurt Vonnegut's God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater Kurt Vonnegut's God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater
[Off-Broadway]
New York City Center Encores Off-Center Production, 2016
Kilgore Trout
The Gin Game The Gin Game
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2015
Weller Martin
You Can't Take It with You You Can't Take It with You
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2014
Martin Vanderhof
The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess
[US Tour]
National Tour, 2013
Robbins [Replacement]
Gore Vidal's The Best Man Gore Vidal's The Best Man
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2012
Ex-President Arthur Hockstader
Driving Miss Daisy Driving Miss Daisy
[West End]
London Production, 2011
Hoke Colburn
Driving Miss Daisy Driving Miss Daisy
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2010
Hoke Colburn
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2008
Big Daddy
On Golden Pond On Golden Pond
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2005
Norman Thayer, Jr.
Fences
[Broadway]
1987
Troy Maxson
"MASTER HAROLD"...and the boys
[Broadway]
1982
Sam [Replacement]
Othello
[Broadway]
1982
Othello
A Lesson From Aloes
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1980
Steve Daniels
Paul Robeson
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1978
Paul Robeson
Of Mice and Men
[Broadway]
1974
Lennie
The Iceman Cometh
[Broadway]
1973
Theodore Hickman
King Lear
[Off-Broadway]
1973
Lear
The Cherry Orchard
[Off-Broadway]
1972
Lopahin
Hamlet
[Off-Broadway]
1972
Claudius
Les Blancs
[Broadway]
1970
Tshembe Matoseh
Boesman and Lena
[Off-Broadway]
1970
Boesman
The Great White Hope
[Broadway]
1968
Jack Jefferson
A Hand is on the Gate
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1966
Performer
Danton's Death
[Broadway]
1965
Performer
Troilus and Cressida
[Off-Broadway]
1965
Ajax
Coriolanus
[Off-Broadway]
1965
Junius Brutus
Baal
[Off-Broadway]
1965
Ekart
Othello
[Off-Broadway]
1964
Othello
Othello
[Off-Broadway]
1964
Othello
The Blood Knot
[Off-Broadway]
1964
Zachariah Pieterson
Next Time I'll Sing to You
[Off-Broadway]
1963
Rudge
The Love Nest
[Off-Broadway]
1963
George Gulp
P.S. 193
[Off-Broadway]
1962
Mario Saccone
The Merchant of Venice
[Off-Broadway]
1962
Prince of Morocco
The Apple
[Off-Broadway]
1961
Performer
Clandestine on the Morning Line
[Off-Broadway]
1961
Performer
The Blacks: A Clown Show
[Off-Broadway]
1961
Deodatus Village
The Cool World
[Broadway]
1960
Harrison Thurston
Sunrise at Campobello
[Broadway]
1958
Edward
Infidel Caesar
[Broadway]
Performer

Productions

The Cherry Orchard
 
[Off-Broadway, 1972]
Conceiver

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

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

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

Videos

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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 received numerous nominations for his outstanding performances, including: - Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement (Tony Awards) - 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 - Outstanding Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for Hamlet - Outstanding Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for Les Blancs - Outstanding Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for The Great White Hope - 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 - Best Actor (Obie Awards) for The Apple - Best Actor (Obie Awards) for Moon on a Rainbow Shawl - Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Moon on a Rainbow Shawl

What awards has James Earl Jones won?

James Earl Jones has received numerous prestigious awards throughout his career, including: - Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement (Tony Awards) - Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Best Man - Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof - Outstanding Actor in a 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 Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for Hamlet - Outstanding Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for The Cherry Orchard - Outstanding Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for Les Blancs - Outstanding Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for The Great White Hope - 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 - Best Actor (Obie Awards) for The Apple - Best Actor (Obie Awards) for Moon on a Rainbow Shawl - Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Moon on a Rainbow Shawl.

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