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James Earl Jones Biography

Birth Name:James Earl Jones

Birth Place:Arkabutla, Mississippi, United States

Profession Actor, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

Was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1992 for his contributions to acting
Received the John F․ Kennedy Centre Honor in 2002
While waiting for his orders to join the Korean War as a second lieutenant in the U․ S․ Army, he worked as a stage crew hand at the Ramsdell Theatre
Quote: "[on "Star Wars"] "When I read that part in the script where it said, 'Luke, I am your father,' I thought, 'He's lying․ I have to see how they carry this lie out․'""
Widely recognized for the deep authoritative voice he displays, such as his work as Darth Vader in "Star Wars" and as Mufasa in "The Lion King․"
Frequently co-stars alongside actress Madge Sinclair in films
While attending the University of Michigan, he was a member of the same fraternal organization that included Colin Powell and G․ Gordon Liddy
Suffered from severe stuttering and remained functionally mute for over eight years as a result
Was the first celebrity to make a guest appearance on "Sesame Street․"
Refused to have his name appear in the credits of "Star Wars" because he felt that his part was not significant enough to warrant a credit in the film

Awards

1964Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1971Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1971Golden Globe-Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
1971Golden Globe-Most Promising Newcomer - Male: winner
1975Golden Globe-Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1975Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
1987ACE-Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
1988Independent Spirit Award-Best Supporting Male: nominated
1989Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
1990Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special: nominated
1991ACE-Supporting Actor in a Movie or Miniseries: winner
1991Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
1991Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special: winner
1991Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: winner
1991Q Award-Best Actor in a Quality Drama Series: nominated
1992Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
1993Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, Mini-Series or Television Movie: winner
1994Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
1995KCFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
1995Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
1996Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1996Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
1996Image Award-Outstanding Performance in an Animated/Live-Action/Dramatic Youth or Children's Series/Special: nominated
1997Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
1998Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2000Black Reel-Network/Cable - Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2000Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in a Children's Special: winner
2003DVDX Award-Best Actor in a DVD Premiere Movie: winner
2004Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2005Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Guest Actor: nominated
2006Camie-: winner
2006DVDX Award-Best Supporting Actor (in a DVD Premiere Movie): winner
2014Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Guest Performer in a Comedy Series: nominated
2014Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actor: nominated
2014OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2015BTVA Television Voice Acting Award-Best Male Vocal Performance in a Television Series in a Guest Role - Action/Drama: winner
2015BTVA People's Choice Voice Acting Award-Best Male Vocal Performance in a Television Series in a Guest Role - Action/Drama: winner
2016Black Reel-Outstanding Actor, TV Movie or Limited Series: nominated
2017BTVA People's Choice Voice Acting Award-Best Male Vocal Performance in a Feature Film in a Supporting Role: winner
2017BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Male Vocal Performance in a Feature Film in a Supporting Role: nominated
2019National Film and Television Award-Best Performance in an Animated Movie: nominated
2020Black Reel-Outstanding Voice Performance: nominated
2020Image Award-Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television or Motion Picture): winner
2021OFTA Film Hall of Fame-Character: winner