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James Earl Jones biography

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James Earl Jones is an American Actor, known as the voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars movies. His film career has been vast.

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James Earl Jones, born January 17, 1931 in Mississippi, is an American Actor with who has starred in a long list of highly successful films and plays. He won Tony Awards for his performances in The Great White Hope and Fences. As a child he developed a sever stutter, only overcoming in high school years,

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and now is widely known as the voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars movies.

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Actor. Born January 17, 1931 in Arkabutla, Mississippi. The son of an ex-prizefighter-actor, Jones was raised by his maternal grandparents and is of Irish, Cherokee and African decent. He developed a severe stutter in childhood and refused to speak in school until a teacher helped him out of his silence in high school. He graduated from the University of Michigan, and after Army service he studied acting in New York.

Jones made his Broadway debut in 1957 with his first major role as boxer Jack Jefferson in 1966’s The Great White Hope. He also starred in the film version, earning an Academy Award nomination for the performance. Famous for his distinctive bellow, Jones is perhaps best known as the voice for the character of Darth Vader in the seminal Star Wars movies (1977, 1980, 1983).

Jones film career has been vast, often playing strong, authoritative characters. Notable film performances include Field of Dreams, The Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger.

An accomplished stage actor, Jones has won two Tony Awards, the first for The Great White Hope and the second in 1987 for Fences. He received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2002.

Jones's first wife is actress Julienne Marie. He married Cecilia Hart in 1982; they have one son.

© 2012 A&E Television Networks. All rights reserved.

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