James Earl Jones passed away on the morning of Monday, Sept. 9, in accordance with multiple reports, including the Associated Press. His agent, Barry McPherson, reportedly confirmed that he died at his Dutchess County, Latest York, home. Jones was 93. Right now, his reason for death will not be clear.
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Here’s A Recap Of James Earl Jones’ Accolades
He was known for his prolific acting resume, including ‘Field Of Dreams,’ ‘The Great White Hope,’ and using his charming voice for Darth Vader and ‘The Lion King.’ Throughout his profession, which continued until his late 80s, Jones became an EGOT winner. He had two Primetime Emmys Awards, a Golden Globe, three Tony Awards, and a Grammy.
But his accolades didn’t end there. In 1992, former President George Bush awarded James Earl Jones the National Medal of the Arts. A decade later, in 2002, the Kennedy Center honored him. In 2011, he received an honorary Oscar for lifetime achievement. A number of years later, in 2017, he got a special Tony Award for a similar reason. That very same 12 months, Harvard University awarded him an honorary degree.
Most recently, in 2022, the Colt Theatre was renamed in his honor to the James Earl Jones Theatre. The theatre was where James made his Broadway debut in 1958, per Deadline. While he didn’t attend the star-studded ceremony, he later spoke out in regards to the renaming in an announcement.
“For me standing on this very constructing 64 years ago in the beginning of my Broadway profession, it might have been inconceivable that my name could be on the constructing today,” Jones said on the time. “Let my journey from then to now be an inspiration for all aspiring actors.”
All in all, Deadline reports that James Earl Jones had over 200 screen credits in his 60-year run.
Details On The Actor’s Early Life
In line with the AP, James Earl Jones was born in Arkabutla, Mississippi, on Jan. 17, 1931, “by the sunshine of an oil lamp.” Mockingly, his father abandoned their family before his birth to pursue boxing and later acting. At age six, his maternal grandparents adopted and raised him after his mother took him to their farm in Michigan. Not long after moving, James developed a severe stutter and have become mute out of embarrassment. To speak, he’d pass handwritten notes.
James rediscovered his voice after a highschool teacher, Donald Crouch, made him read a poem aloud in school. With continued teamwork, James eventually became obsessive about speaking, debating, and acting, as his autobiography, ‘Voices and Silences,’ explains.
Moreover, James Earl Jones studied drama while on the University of Michigan. Sometime after, he reconnected along with his father in Latest York, enrolled within the American Theater Wing program, and worked alongside his dad, waxing the floors for financial support.
The actor was married twice in his life, first to Julienne Marie Hendricks for 4 years within the late Sixties, then to Cecilia Hart from 1982 until she passed away in October 2016 from ovarian cancer, per PEOPLE. Hart and James Earl Jones had one son, Flynn Earl Jones.
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