James Earl Jones - Actor Profile

James Earl Jones

Acting
Updated: May 08, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Jan 17, 1931
Birth Place: Arkabutla, Mississippi, USA

About James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones (January 17, 1931 – September 9, 2024) was an American actor. He was described as "one of America's most distinguished and versatile" actors for his performances on stage and screen, and "one of the greatest actors in American history". Over his career, he received three Tony Awards, two Emmy Awards, and a Grammy Award. He was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1985. He was honored 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. His deep voice has been praised as a "stirring basso profondo that has lent gravel and gravitas" to his projects.

James Earl Jones Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of James Earl Jones reflects exceptional commercial consistency. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of James Earl Jones's work falls within the Documentary genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 100% of James Earl Jones's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Hitler's Forgotten Victims, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best James Earl Jones Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from James Earl Jones's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie James Earl Jones has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2024 Butterfly in the Sky Guest Narrator (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2021 Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2019 On Broadway Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2016 Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Darth Vader (voice) Super Hit Similar →
2016 God Bless You, Mr Rosewater Kilgore Trout Super Hit Similar →
2015 Driving Miss Daisy Hoke Colburn Super Hit Similar →
2015 Star Wars Rebels: The Siege of Lothal Darth Vader (voice) Super Hit Similar →
2013 Blackfish Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2007 Earth Narrator (voice) Super Hit Similar →
2005 Hollywood's Greatest Villains Self Super Hit Similar →
2005 The Reading Room William Super Hit Similar →
2005 Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith Darth Vader (voice - uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
2004 Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy Self Super Hit Similar →
2003 The Great Year Narrator Super Hit Similar →
2001 Muhammad Ali - Through The Eyes Of The World Self Super Hit Similar →
2001 Disney's American Legends Narrator Hit Similar →
2000 Antietam: A Documentary Film Narrator Super Hit Similar →
1999 Summer's End Dr. William 'Bill' Blakely Super Hit Similar →
1997 Hitler's Forgotten Victims Narrator (voice) (DVD version) Super Hit Similar →
1997 Sports on the Silver Screen Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
1997 Star Wars: The Magic & the Mystery Self Super Hit Similar →
1997 Afro Promo Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
1996 Corwin Self Super Hit Similar →
1995 The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies Self Super Hit Similar →
1995 The Making of 'Jurassic Park' Host Hit Similar →
1995 Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable Mufasa Super Hit Similar →
1994 The Making of the Lion King Self Super Hit Similar →
1994 The Lion King Mufasa (voice) Super Hit Similar →
1994 The Vernon Johns Story Vernon Johns Super Hit Similar →
1993 Michael Jackson: Dangerous - The Short Films Self (voice) (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1993 Percy & Thunder Percy Banks Super Hit Similar →
1993 The Sandlot Mr. Mertle Super Hit Similar →
1992 Lincoln Narrator (voice) Hit Similar →
1991 When It Was a Game (voice) Super Hit Similar →
1990 The Hunt for Red October Vice ADM James Greer Hit Similar →
1990 Teach 109 Dr. Winston Super Hit Similar →
1989 11-22-63: The Day the Nation Cried Narrator Super Hit Similar →
1989 The Hunting of the Snark Narrator (voice) Super Hit Similar →
1988 Michael Jackson: The Legend Continues Narrator (voice) Super Hit Similar →
1987 Matewan 'Few Clothes' Johnson Hit Similar →
1985 Night of 100 Stars II Self Super Hit Similar →
1983 Return of the Jedi Darth Vader (voice) Super Hit Similar →
1980 The Empire Strikes Back Darth Vader (voice) (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1979 Paul Robeson Paul Robeson Super Hit Similar →
1978 Black Theatre: The Making of a Movement Self Super Hit Similar →
1977 Star Wars Darth Vader (voice) (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1976 The River Niger Johnny Williams Hit Similar →
1974 King Lear King Lear Super Hit Similar →
1971 Martin Luther King, Jr.: Legacy of a Dream Narrator Super Hit Similar →
1964 Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb Lt. Lothar Zogg Super Hit Similar →

James Earl Jones - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of James Earl Jones?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring James Earl Jones is "Hitler's Forgotten Victims" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has James Earl Jones acted in?

James Earl Jones has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by James Earl Jones?

Other notable films include "The Making of the Lion King", "When It Was a Game", and "Hollywood's Greatest Villains".

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