History Creator / JamesEarlJones

A noted American actor of stage and screen who was born in Arkabutla, Mississippi, James Earl Jones (born January 17, 1931) is famous for his sonorous bass voice that can either be [[EvilSoundsDeep sinister]] (e.g. Darth Vader and Kibosh) or paternal (Mufasa), but is regardless authoritative and commanding -- even more so when you consider he had to [[StutterStop overcome a severe stutter in his youth]]. His voice is also remarkable for being naturally [[BassoProfundo of bass register]], which is indeed very rare. He gets a fair amount ''more'' respect on the stage, where he played a number of [[Creator/WilliamShakespeare Shakespearean]] roles (including being one of the first African American actors to play the lead in ''Theatre/{{Othello}}'') and was a fixture on the African-American art-theater circuit (he was the lead at the opening performance in several of August Wilson's ''Pittsburgh Cycle'', most famously ''Theatre/{{Fences}}''.) His father was Robert Earl Jones, [[InTheBlood also a noted actor]] whose most recognized role was Luther in ''Film/TheSting''.

U.S. Army Ranger. Played blue-eyed [[Film/ConanTheBarbarian1982 Thulsa Doom]]. He ''is'' {{God}}, [[Franchise/StarWars Darth Vader]], [[WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994 Mufasa]], [[Film/CasperASpiritedBeginning Kibosh]], Theatre/{{Othello}}, General [[TheDanza James]] [[VideoGame/CommandAndConquerTiberianSun Solomon]], and (in a single "WesternAnimation/TreehouseOfHorror" episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'') Maggie Simpson. Also did commercials for Verizon (and its predecessor Bell Atlantic) for a while.

* ''Film/DeadlyHero'' (1975) -- Rabbit

* ''Film/PatriotGames'' (1992) -- Admiral James Greer

* ''Film/ClearAndPresentDanger'' (1994) -- Admiral James Greer

* ''Film/Coming2America'' (2021) -- King Jaffe Joffer

-->-- '''James Earl Jones''', Creator/{{CNN}} [[StationIdent Station Identification]]

** ''Series/ObiWanKenobi'' (2022)[[note]]Jones is credited, but he did not physically perform the dialogue due to age haven taken its toll on him. Vader's voice was synthesized via Respeecher. Due to his retirement, this will also apply to any future role reprises.[[/note]]

** ''Series/ObiWanKenobi'' (2022)[[note]]Jones is credited, but he did not physically perform the dialogue due to age haven taken its toll on him. Vader's voice was synthesized via Respeecher.[[/note]]

Here is a clear demonstration of just how perfect his voice is for the role (or rather, a demonstration of how lame things would have been without him): A pre-voiceover clip showing [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQFho0_G1VI Darth Vader voiced by his on-screen character's actor]], Creator/DavidProwse, who had the right stature for the character. Jones himself was cast later, after George Lucas realized Prowse's own voice, uh, would not work.

** ''Series/ObiWanKenobi'' (2022)[[note]]Jones is credited, but Vader's voice was synthesized via Respeecher.[[/note]]

Here is a clear demonstration of just how perfect his voice is for the role (or rather, a demonstration of how lame things would have been without him): A pre-voiceover clip showing [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQFho0_G1VI Darth Vader voiced by his on-screen character's actor]], Creator/DavidProwse, who had the right stature for the character. Jones himself was cast later, after George Lucas et al realized Prowse's own voice, uh, would not work.

U.S. Army Ranger. Played blue-eyed [[Film/ConanTheBarbarian1982 Thulsa Doom]]. He ''is'' {{God}}, [[Franchise/StarWars Darth Vader]], [[WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994 Mufasa]], [[Film/CasperASpiritedBeginning Kibosh]], [[Theatre/{{Othello}}]], General [[TheDanza James]] [[VideoGame/CommandAndConquerTiberianSun Solomon]], and (in a single "WesternAnimation/TreehouseOfHorror" episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'') Maggie Simpson. Also did commercials for Verizon (and its predecessor Bell Atlantic) for a while.

U.S. Army Ranger. Played blue-eyed [[Film/ConanTheBarbarian1982 Thulsa Doom]]. He ''is'' {{God}}, [[Franchise/StarWars Darth Vader]], [[WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994 Mufasa]], [[Film/CasperASpiritedBeginning Kibosh]], General [[TheDanza James]] [[VideoGame/CommandAndConquerTiberianSun Solomon]], and (in a single "WesternAnimation/TreehouseOfHorror" episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'') Maggie Simpson. Also did commercials for Verizon (and its predecessor Bell Atlantic) for a while.

** ''Series/ObiWanKenobi'' (2022)[[note]]Jones is credited, but Vader's voice was synthesized through Respeecher.[[/note]]

U.S. Army Ranger. Played blue-eyed [[Film/ConanTheBarbarian1982 Thulsa Doom]]. He ''is'' {{God}}, [[Franchise/StarWars Darth Vader]], [[WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994 Mufasa]], [[Film/CasperASpiritedBeginning Kibosh]], General [[TheDanza James]] [[VideoGame/CommandAndConquerTiberianSun Solomon]], and (in a single "WesternAnimation/TreehouseOfHorror" episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'') Maggie Simpson. Also did commercials for Verizon (and its predecessor Bell Atlantic) for a while. Living proof that sometimes, all you really need to be a badass is the [[BadassBaritone perfect voice]].

Here is a clear demonstration of just how perfect his voice is for the role (or rather, a demonstration of how lame things would have been without him): A pre-voiceover clip showing [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQFho0_G1VI Darth Vader voiced by his on-screen character's actor]], Creator/DavidProwse, who had the right stature for the character. Jones himself was cast later, after George Lucas et al realized Prowse's own voice, uh, wouldn't work.

A noted American actor of stage and screen who was born in Arkabutla, Mississippi, James Earl Jones (born January 17, 1931) is famous for his sonorous bass voice that can either be [[EvilSoundsDeep sinister]] (e.g. Darth Vader and Kibosh) or paternal (Mufasa), but is regardless authoritative and commanding -- even more so when you consider he had to [[StutterStop overcome a severe stutter in his youth]]. His voice is also remarkable for being naturally [[BassoProfundo of bass register]], which is indeed very rare. He gets a fair amount ''more'' respect on the stage, where he played a number of [[Creator/WilliamShakespeare Shakespearean]] roles (including being one of the first African American actors to play the lead in ''Theatre/{{Othello}}'') and was a fixture on the African-American art-theater circuit (he was the lead at the opening performance in several of August Wilson's ''Pittsburgh Cycle'', most famously ''Theatre/{{Fences}}''.)

** ''Series/ObiWanKenobi'' (2022)[[note]]Jones is credited, but Vader's voice was synthesized through Respeecher [[/note]]

** ''Series/ObiWanKenobi'' (2022)

* ''Series/ObiWanKenobi'' (2022)