James Earl Jones (born January 17, 1931) is an American actor. His
career spans more than seven decades and he has been described as "one
of America's most distinguished and versatile" actors known for his
performance in film, theater and television, and "one of the greatest
actors in American history".Throughout his acting career, Jones has
won three Tony Awards (out of five nominations), a Grammy Award, and
two Primetime Emmy Awards. In 1985, he was Inducted into the American
Theater Hall of Fame. In 1992, Jones was presented with the National
Medal of the Arts by President George H.W. Bush. In 2002, he received
the Kennedy Center Honor. In 2009, Jones was invited by President
Barack Obama to perform Shakespeare at the White House Evening for
Poetry. That same year he also received the Screen Actors Guild Life
Achievement Award. On November 12, 2011, he received an Honorary
Academy Award. On May 25, 2017, he received an Honorary Doctor of Arts
degree from Harvard University. In 2017, Jones was honored with a
Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre.In 1964
Jones made his film debut in Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove. After
working steadily in the theater, in 1968, Jones won his first Tony
Award for his role in The Great White Hope. In 1970, he also starred
in the film adaptation of The Great White Hope which also earned him
an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations. In 1974, James
starred alongside Diahann Carroll in the acclaimed romantic
comedy-drama film Claudine for which he received a Golden Globe Award
nomination. In 1987 he won his second Tony Award for his role in
August Wilson's Fences. Throughout the 1980s Jones starred in a number
of successful films including Matewan (1987), Coming to America
(1988), Field of Dreams (1989), and The Hunt for Red October (1990).
He is also known for his voice roles as Darth Vader in Star Wars and
Mufasa in The Lion King. Throughout the 21st century, Jones's work has
continued steadily in the theater. In 2012 he starred alongside Angela
Lansbury in Gore Vidal's The Best Man (2012), and in an Australian
tour of Driving Miss Daisy (2013). In 2014, he appeared in You Can't
Take it With You with Annaleigh Ashford. In 2015 through 2016 he
starred The Gin Game alongside Cicely Tyson.
career spans more than seven decades and he has been described as "one
of America's most distinguished and versatile" actors known for his
performance in film, theater and television, and "one of the greatest
actors in American history".Throughout his acting career, Jones has
won three Tony Awards (out of five nominations), a Grammy Award, and
two Primetime Emmy Awards. In 1985, he was Inducted into the American
Theater Hall of Fame. In 1992, Jones was presented with the National
Medal of the Arts by President George H.W. Bush. In 2002, he received
the Kennedy Center Honor. In 2009, Jones was invited by President
Barack Obama to perform Shakespeare at the White House Evening for
Poetry. That same year he also received the Screen Actors Guild Life
Achievement Award. On November 12, 2011, he received an Honorary
Academy Award. On May 25, 2017, he received an Honorary Doctor of Arts
degree from Harvard University. In 2017, Jones was honored with a
Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre.In 1964
Jones made his film debut in Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove. After
working steadily in the theater, in 1968, Jones won his first Tony
Award for his role in The Great White Hope. In 1970, he also starred
in the film adaptation of The Great White Hope which also earned him
an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations. In 1974, James
starred alongside Diahann Carroll in the acclaimed romantic
comedy-drama film Claudine for which he received a Golden Globe Award
nomination. In 1987 he won his second Tony Award for his role in
August Wilson's Fences. Throughout the 1980s Jones starred in a number
of successful films including Matewan (1987), Coming to America
(1988), Field of Dreams (1989), and The Hunt for Red October (1990).
He is also known for his voice roles as Darth Vader in Star Wars and
Mufasa in The Lion King. Throughout the 21st century, Jones's work has
continued steadily in the theater. In 2012 he starred alongside Angela
Lansbury in Gore Vidal's The Best Man (2012), and in an Australian
tour of Driving Miss Daisy (2013). In 2014, he appeared in You Can't
Take it With You with Annaleigh Ashford. In 2015 through 2016 he
starred The Gin Game alongside Cicely Tyson.
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