The Iconic James Earl Jones Passes Away At 93!
Story by Mitchell Smith
Where do you begin to write about a legendary actor like James Earl Jones who we lost on this sad day September 9, 2024. Born in 1931 Arkabutla, MS and moved to Michigan at age 5 where he was raised by his grandparents. Jones who had a stutter did not like to talk and would stay that way into high school. Poetry and acting became his passion that would help him overcome his disability. Later Jones went to The University of Michigan as a pre-med student. Jones would switch majors and graduate a drama major with a Bachelor’s degree in Arts.
During the Korean War Jones went to Ranger school where he received his Ranger tab. From stuttering boy to blooming actor, Jones began his career in the 1950s. As he gained popularity he would get his big break in Stanley Kubrik’s 1964 film “Dr Strangelove” as Lt. Lothar Zogg. From there he would travel the Hollywood scene with many great rolls where he landed one of his biggest performances of all time as the voice of Darth Vader in the 1977 hit Star Wars.
A voice and a character that would live on for decades to come. Among his many great performances that I have enjoyed over the years three of my favorite movies are,“The Sandlot”, “Coming to America”, and a movie I just recently watched for the first time “Field of Dreams”. The list is endless for Jones with countless cameos, voices, and narrations over the years. From “Conan the Barbarian” to “The Lion King”, Jones did it all. His voice and face are unmistakable and his legacy will be here long after I have left the Earth. Jones is in an exclusive group nicknamed EGOT.
That is an actor who has an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony award. He is one of the greatest actors in our time and he will be missed around the globe, but his legacy will live on forever. RIP Mr James Earl Jones.
