Remembering James Earl Jones’ Amazing Career

For some, he’s the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars; to others, he’ll always be the man behind Mufasa in The Lion King. But years before either of these voice roles, James Earl Jones already had a long and accomplished career, moving seamlessly between drama, comedy, and everything in between. He began acting on Broadway in 1957, and made his film debut in 1964’s Dr. Strangelove; over the next 50+ years, Jones played roles both iconic and forgotten, winning Emmys, Tonys, Golden Globes and a Grammy, and becoming one of America’s most beloved character actors in the process. In honor of his passing on September 9, 2024, here are snapshots of Jones’ amazing career — no matter what he did, Jones brought the same talent and gravitas that made him a household name.