James Earl Jones (January 17, 1931 – September 9, 2024) was an American actor known for his film roles and for his work in theatre. He was one of the few performers to achieve the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony). Jones has been described as “one of America’s most distinguished and versatile” actors for his performances on stage and screen. He has also been called “one of the greatest actors in American history”. He was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1985. He was honoured 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.
Born in Arkabutla, Mississippi, in 1931, he had a stutter since childhood. Jones said that poetry and acting helped him overcome the challenges of his disability. A pre-med major in college, he served in the United States Army during the Korean War before pursuing a career in acting. His deep voice was praised as a “stirring basso profondo that has lent gravel and gravitas” to his projects.
Jones made his film debut in Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove (1964). He received a Golden Globe Award nomination for Claudine (1974). Jones gained international fame for his voice role as Darth Vader in the Star Wars franchise, beginning with the original 1977 film. Jones’ other notable roles include parts in Conan the Barbarian (1982), Matewan (1987), Coming to America (1988), Field of Dreams (1989), The Hunt for Red October (1990), The Sandlot (1993), and The Lion King (1994). Jones reprised his roles in Star Wars media, The Lion King (2019), and Coming 2 America (2021).
I had the privilege of watching him perform on stage at the Folgers Theater in Wash, DC. He was in the title role of Othello. Karen Dotrice (the little girl from Mary Poppins – but very much grown up) played Desdemona. It was a spectacular presentation. Christopher Plummer was supposed to play Iago but his voice had given out, l think, so we missed him performing. Still, 2 out of 3 ain’t bad.
While so nice to see this strip honor him on the day he left us, how exactly did this strip do that? Aren’t these written a month in advance? Did someone know he was ill?
allen@home about 2 months ago
Very nice tribute guys.
Max the Destroyer about 2 months ago
Indeed. But let’s not forget him in Dr. Strangelove or as Thulsa Doom in the first Conan movie!
pschearer Premium Member about 2 months ago
I often forget that some of these GoComics are online-only and not under the typical newspaper two-week delay.
Baslim the Beggar Premium Member about 2 months ago
Nice homage guys!
About the time I first saw Star Wars, I saw him in “The Cay” on TV, I was much impressed with him.
Reading his obituary, while his voice was a great thing, he was a very good actor in so many different roles.
TStyle78 about 2 months ago
R.I.P James Earl Jones. He will not be forgotten. I liked him in ‘Coming to America’.
Yakety Sax about 2 months ago
James Earl Jones (January 17, 1931 – September 9, 2024) was an American actor known for his film roles and for his work in theatre. He was one of the few performers to achieve the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony). Jones has been described as “one of America’s most distinguished and versatile” actors for his performances on stage and screen. He has also been called “one of the greatest actors in American history”. He was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1985. He was honoured 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.
Born in Arkabutla, Mississippi, in 1931, he had a stutter since childhood. Jones said that poetry and acting helped him overcome the challenges of his disability. A pre-med major in college, he served in the United States Army during the Korean War before pursuing a career in acting. His deep voice was praised as a “stirring basso profondo that has lent gravel and gravitas” to his projects.
Jones made his film debut in Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove (1964). He received a Golden Globe Award nomination for Claudine (1974). Jones gained international fame for his voice role as Darth Vader in the Star Wars franchise, beginning with the original 1977 film. Jones’ other notable roles include parts in Conan the Barbarian (1982), Matewan (1987), Coming to America (1988), Field of Dreams (1989), The Hunt for Red October (1990), The Sandlot (1993), and The Lion King (1994). Jones reprised his roles in Star Wars media, The Lion King (2019), and Coming 2 America (2021).
Michael Thorton about 2 months ago
Zichrono Livrocho
(May his memory be a blessing)
richardzimdars about 2 months ago
I wrote this on a couple of social media platforms. Hoping to make Sept. 9th, ‘Turn Back to the Light Side Day’ in JEJ’s memory.
jmworacle about 2 months ago
R.I.P. He was in the Hallmark movie “What The Deaf Man Heard” a true gem.
cdward about 2 months ago
RIP Mr. Jones, and thank you.
Lomax9er7 about 2 months ago
No!
EOCostello about 2 months ago
One of the great character actors of our time.
RobinHood about 2 months ago
I remember in 1992 being in Camden Yards, when he made the They Will Come speech from Field Of Dreams live to open the park.
LoveBritTV Premium Member about 2 months ago
RIP James Earl Jones. You will be missed.
contralto2b about 2 months ago
I had the privilege of watching him perform on stage at the Folgers Theater in Wash, DC. He was in the title role of Othello. Karen Dotrice (the little girl from Mary Poppins – but very much grown up) played Desdemona. It was a spectacular presentation. Christopher Plummer was supposed to play Iago but his voice had given out, l think, so we missed him performing. Still, 2 out of 3 ain’t bad.
just-ducky about 2 months ago
In 2014 Carrie Fisher met James Earl Jones for the first time, as they approached each other Carrie’s first word was “Dad!”
ahnk_2000 about 2 months ago
I love the way John and Scott come up with these tributes so quickly and still do them so well. RIP JEJ.
Kidon Ha-Shomer about 2 months ago
Truly a voice that filled the theater when he spoke; and that was when he whispered.
Solomon J. Behala Premium Member about 2 months ago
Wait, you guys have a day-of deadline?
amaneaux about 2 months ago
I remember him in all those great baseball films: Field of Dreams, The Sandlot, and The Bingo Long Travelling All-Stars & Motor Kings.
RIP
ShadowMaster about 2 months ago
Farewell. May the force accept a great man.
rickmac1937 Premium Member about 2 months ago
He was a Great one,RIP
ChessPirate about 2 months ago
Saw this yesterday and thought it was “Cool” ☺:
www.youtube.Com/watch?v=flFYwiAUpq8
sedrelwesley2 Premium Member about 2 months ago
Don’t forget “Field of Dreams” !
RobinHood about 2 months ago
The only voice not recast in Lion King remake.
wellis1947 Premium Member about 2 months ago
Actually, the film I enjoyed him in most was “The River Niger” with Cicely Tyson, but he was good in everything he did, in my opinion…
MichaelD Premium Member about 2 months ago
While so nice to see this strip honor him on the day he left us, how exactly did this strip do that? Aren’t these written a month in advance? Did someone know he was ill?
Aladar30 Premium Member about 2 months ago
Sad news, but a beautiful tribute.
miztrniceguy about 2 months ago
♡
Chris Sherlock about 2 months ago
Nice tribute, guys! JEJ’s death is one of those celebrity deaths that it’s going to take me awhile to get over, just as Billie Hayes’ was.
drmickeyg about 2 months ago
Thank you, Scott – this was very touching. ♥