When I moved to Austin from Houston in 1980, I was doing something I'd wanted to do for many years. Besides the pleasures Austin still held back then, I discovered something I didn't expect... cable! So I hooked up, mainly for HBO, and then this news junkie discovered something else, CNN and James Earl Jones -- "THIS is CNN!" I knew he was Darth Vader, of course, but that he was "the voice" of CNN, which was brand new that summer, dreamed up by Ted Turner? I had no clue, but I loved it. Turner creating CNN rocked the world of news in the USA, and Mr. Jones gave it immediate gravitas. What an actor, and that unmistakable voice. Here's what CNN has to say about James Earl Jones, so many years later. Rest in peace, Mr. Jones. You certainly deserve it.
One thing that makes this amazing is James totally dominated that entire scene without saying one word, pure acting, charisma and body language. A true GOAT actor imo.
Been digging in his catalog, 60 plus years of films for older gems. Here's his Broadway showing as Shakesphere's King Lear and Matewan where he plays a coal miner, he helped with the early formation testing of Sesame Street and also served in the military, later as a janitor while he trained to be an actor. Hero, villain, King, boxer, blue-collar worker, or person with disabilities, he could play it all and his range was amazing. Military service With the war intensifying in Korea, Jones expected to be deployed as soon as he received his commission as a second lieutenant. While he waited for his orders, he worked on the stage crew and acted at the Ramsdell Theatre in Manistee, Michigan.[27] Jones was commissioned in mid-1953, after the Korean War's end, and reported to Fort Benning (now Fort Moore) to attend the Infantry Officers Basic Course. He attended Ranger School and received his Ranger Tab. Jones was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 38th Regimental Combat Team.[28] He was initially to report to Fort Leonard Wood, but his unit was instead sent to establish a cold-weather training command at the former Camp Hale near Leadville, Colorado.[29] His battalion became a training unit in the rugged terrain of the Rocky Mountains. Jones was promoted to first lieutenant prior to his discharge.[30] James_Earl_Jones Jones moved to New York, where he studied at the American Theatre Wing and worked as a janitor to support himself.[31][32] Sesame Street In 1969, Jones participated in making test films for the children's education series Sesame Street; these shorts, combined with animated segments, were shown to groups of children to gauge the effectiveness of the then-groundbreaking Sesame Street format. As cited by production notes included in the DVD release Sesame Street: Old School 1969–1974, the short that had the greatest impact with test audiences was one showing bald-headed Jones counting slowly to ten. This and other segments featuring Jones were eventually aired as part of the Sesame Street series itself when it debuted later in 1969 and Jones is often cited as the first celebrity guest on that series, Wiki https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Earl_Jones
Statement from President Joe Biden on the Passing of James Earl Jones One of the last times I was with James Earl Jones was at Ford’s Theatre ten years ago in Washington. He was being honored with the Lincoln Medal for his exemplary character and accomplishments on film and stage. I admired him for something else as well, something we both had in common—overcoming a childhood stutter to find our voice for something bigger than ourselves. His legendary voice boomed wherever it was heard, an instrument and imprint that reverberated in the hearts of audiences worldwide. And we’ve all heard it. Through iconic characters, film, stage, commercials, radio, and more, his voice carried a sense of grace and dignity that commanded respect and demanded to be heard. His roles made us stop, stayed with us, and inspired us to reflect on everything from race and power, good and evil, to our place in the world. For his remarkable talent, James has received numerous honors, including two Emmy awards, a Grammy award, an honorary Oscar, and two Tony awards—making him one of few Americans to earn an EGOT. He was a proud Army veteran, and I will always remember him as someone who served this country, influenced generations, and became one of the greatest actors of our time. Jill and I send our love and condolences to his son Flynn, his brother Matthew, and everyone he inspired and who he will continue to inspire as his voice echoes for the ages. May God bless James Earl Jones.
Probably my second favorite actor ever after Clint Eastwood. Man, he was amazing and had a spellbinding presence in everything he was in. My favorite role was as Thulsa Doom in Conan the Barbarian.
