James Earl Jones - Actor Profile

James Earl Jones

Acting
Freshness: Jan 24, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Jan 17, 1931
Birth Place: Arkabutla, Mississippi, USA

About James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones (January 17, 1931 – September 9, 2024) was an American actor. He was described as "one of America's most distinguished and versatile" actors for his performances on stage and screen, and "one of the greatest actors in American history". Over his career, he received three Tony Awards, two Emmy Awards, and a Grammy Award. He was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1985. He was honored with the National Medal of Arts in 1992, the Kennedy Center Honor in 2002, the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2009 and the Honorary Academy Award in 2011. His deep voice has been praised as a "stirring basso profondo that has lent gravel and gravitas" to his projects.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of James Earl Jones reveals a career defined by exceptional commercial consistency. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Documentary

The majority of James Earl Jones's filmography leans towards the Documentary genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 100% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), James Earl Jones remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Sports on the Silver Screen, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best James Earl Jones Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from James Earl Jones's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of James Earl Jones.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2024 Butterfly in the Sky Guest Narrator (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2021 Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2019 On Broadway Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2019 The Lion King Mufasa (voice) Hit Similar →
2017 Broadway: The Next Generation Self Super Hit Similar →
2016 Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Darth Vader (voice) Super Hit Similar →
2016 God Bless You, Mr Rosewater Kilgore Trout Super Hit Similar →
2015 Driving Miss Daisy Hoke Colburn Super Hit Similar →
2015 Star Wars Rebels: The Siege of Lothal Darth Vader (voice) Super Hit Similar →
2014 Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion Darth Vader (voice) Hit Similar →
2013 Blackfish Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2013 Milius Self Hit Similar →
2009 Waking Sleeping Beauty Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2007 Earth Narrator (voice) Super Hit Similar →
2005 Hollywood's Greatest Villains Self Super Hit Similar →
2005 The Reading Room William Hit Similar →
2005 Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith Darth Vader (voice - uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
2004 Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy Self Super Hit Similar →
2004 The Story of Star Wars Darth Vader (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2003 The Great Year Narrator Super Hit Similar →
2001 Muhammad Ali - Through The Eyes Of The World Self Hit Similar →
2001 Disney's American Legends Narrator Hit Similar →
2000 Summer's End Dr. William 'Bill' Blakely Hit Similar →
2000 Fantasia 2000 Self - Host Hit Similar →
1997 Hitler's Forgotten Victims Narrator (voice) (DVD version) Super Hit Similar →
1997 Sports on the Silver Screen Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
1996 Timepiece Lawrence Hit Similar →
1996 Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault Dr. McDuffie Hit Similar →
1995 The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies Self Super Hit Similar →
1995 The Making of 'Jurassic Park' Host Hit Similar →
1994 The Making of the Lion King Self Super Hit Similar →
1994 The Lion King Mufasa (voice) Super Hit Similar →
1994 The Vernon Johns Story Vernon Johns Super Hit Similar →
1993 Michael Jackson: Dangerous - The Short Films Self (voice) (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1993 Dreamrider Bill Perry Hit Similar →
1993 The Sandlot Mr. Mertle Super Hit Similar →
1992 Sneakers Mr. Bernard Abbott Hit Similar →
1990 The Hunt for Red October Vice ADM James Greer Hit Similar →
1990 Teach 109 Dr. Winston Hit Similar →
1989 Field of Dreams Terrence Mann Hit Similar →
1988 Michael Jackson: The Legend Continues Narrator (voice) Hit Similar →
1987 Matewan 'Few Clothes' Johnson Hit Similar →
1985 Night of 100 Stars II Self Super Hit Similar →
1983 Return of the Jedi Darth Vader (voice) Super Hit Similar →
1980 The Empire Strikes Back Darth Vader (voice) (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1977 The Making of Star Wars Darth Vader (voice) (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1977 Star Wars Darth Vader (voice) (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1974 Claudine Rupert D. "Roop" Marshall Hit Similar →
1970 King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
1964 Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb Lt. Lothar Zogg Super Hit Similar →

James Earl Jones - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of James Earl Jones?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring James Earl Jones is "Sports on the Silver Screen" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has James Earl Jones acted in?

James Earl Jones has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by James Earl Jones?

Other notable films include "Hitler's Forgotten Victims", "Broadway: The Next Generation", and "Hollywood's Greatest Villains".