EGOT winner James Earl Jones was a US Army officer before becoming one of the most iconic voices in Hollywood

James Earl Jones is celebrated for his legendary voice in Hollywood, ranging from the ominous Darth Vader in Star Wars to the regal Mufasa in The Lion King . His exceptional career went beyond cinema, as he served as an officer in the US Army, gaining recognition as a respected soldier both on-screen and off.

James Earl Jones' early life

James Earl Jones was born on January 17, 1931, in Mississippi, but was raised by his grandparents in Michigan after his father, who also an actor, left the family. The trauma of losing his loved one as a child led to a severe stutter, causing him to speak very rarely. It wasn't until his high school English teacher, Donald Crouch, encouraged him to share his poetry in class that he began overcoming his speech impediment.

After high school, Jones attended the University of Michigan, where he initially majored in pre-medical studies. He also joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), excelling and thriving in the structured environment and camaraderie alongside fellow cadets.

"My only semblance of a social life came in the fraternity of my fellow ROTC cadets in Pershing Rifles and Scabbard and Blade," Jones once remarked on his early experience in the US military.

Service with the US Army

Ultimately, James Earl Jones came to the conclusion that medicine was not the right direction for him and changed his focus to enroll in the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance. At that time, the Korean War was going on, and Jones believed he should pursue a program he was passionate about before he was, as he anticipated, called up to serve in the conflict.

While he awaited his orders, Jones worked part-time as a stagehand at a local theater. He was commissioned in mid-1953, shortly after the war concluded, and reported to Fort Benning, Georgia, where he undertook the Infantry Officers Basic Course and attended US Army Ranger School. Jones was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 38th Regiment Combat Team. He emerged as a leader within his battalion, which transformed into a training unit stationed in the cold and rugged Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

In an interview, the actor reflected on his experience, stating, "I took to the physical challenge, so much so that I wanted to stay there, testing myself in that awesome environment, mastering the skills of survival. I loved the austere beauty of the mountains and the exhilaration of the weather and the altitude. I didn't mind the rigors of the work or the pioneer-like existence. I thought it was a good life."

Jones achieved the rank of first lieutenant, but as he contemplated a full commitment to the military, he recognized that his true calling lay elsewhere. He realized he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father, Robert Earl Jones, and pursue a career in acting. His commanding officer encouraged him to chase his dream and reminded him that he could always return to the Army if his plans did not unfold as expected.

James Earl Jones' successful acting career

Jones packed up his belongings and moved to New York City in the mid-1950s, working as a janitor while trying to find acting opportunities. He'd previously starred in several shows back home, including the role of Othello in the Shakespearean play of the same name. While in New York, he continued to take on leading roles in such productions, eventually becoming one of the most famous Shakespearean actors of the time.

By 1957, Jones had scored his first role on Broadway and, in 1964, made his first on-film appearance in Stanley Kubrick 's Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. He later appeared alongside the brightest stars of the 1960s, including Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor .

In 1970, Jones' leading role in The Great White Hope scored him a historic Academy Award nomination, making him the second Black man in history to be nominated in the category.

Star Wars

In 1977, James Earl Jones appeared in one of his most iconic roles, even though he insisted on being uncredited for it. He played the voice of Darth Vader in George Lucas ' Star Wars: A New Hope . Vader's character was physically played by David Prowse, with Jones' voice dubbed over. He reprised the role in the other two films within the trilogy, The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983).

His iconic voice also appeared in animated classics like The Simpsons (1989-present) and The Lion King (1994), as well as full-fledged roles in films like The Hunt For Red October (1990) and Conan the Barbarian (1982).

Awards and accolades

In 1992, President George H.W. Bush awarded James Earl Jones the National Medal of the Arts . Years later, President George W. Bush also awarded him the Kennedy Center Honors and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award. Jones also achieved the prestigious "EGOT" title, meaning he received all four major Hollywood awards: an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award - although his Oscar was honorarily awarded.

More from us: Henry Fonda Served In the US Navy During WWII - He Didn't Want a 'Be a Fake In a War Studio'

Want War History Online 's content sent directly to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter here!

On September 9, 2024, at the age of 93, James Earl Jones passed away at his Duchess County, New York, home. Up until the end, he continued to look back fondly on his time in the US Army.