The U.S. Senate approved a resolution late Wednesday to honor the late actor James Earl Jones, who passed away in early September. The resolution was introduced by U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), along with several colleagues.
Jones, born in Arkabutla, Mississippi, was an award-winning actor known for his roles in “The Lion King,” “Star Wars,” and “Field of Dreams.” His career spanned almost 70 years before he died on September 9 at the age of 93.
“Mississippi has lost a beloved son, and the world has lost an extraordinary talent. From Arkabutla to immortality, James Earl Jones, R.I.P. We’ll remember your voice and your heart,” Senator Wicker said.
Senator Hyde-Smith added, “From the Mississippi Delta to the world stage, James Earl Jones’s extraordinary voice and commanding presence inspired generations. His contributions to the arts, culture, and humanities will undoubtedly stand the test of time. May his legacy always remind us of the strength, resilience, and power that comes from our Mississippi roots.”
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) cosponsored the resolution (S.Res.878), which was approved by unanimous consent.
James Earl Jones was born on January 17, 1931, to Robert Earl Jones and Ruth Connolly Jones in Arkabutla, Mississippi. At age five, he moved to Dublin, Michigan with his maternal grandparents who raised him. Despite suffering from a debilitating stutter as a young boy, he overcame it with encouragement from a high school English teacher.
Jones enrolled at the University of Michigan in 1949 initially studying medicine before switching to drama. He joined the United States Army in 1953 and later moved to New York City in 1955 to study at the American Theatre Wing while working as a janitor.
In 1958, Jones performed in his first Broadway production “Sunrise at Campobello,” launching his stage career which included nearly 90 television dramas and episodic series along with over 110 movies.
Jones became known for his performances in Shakespearean plays such as “Henry V,” “Romeo and Juliet,” “Richard III,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and “Othello.” He debuted in Hollywood with “Dr. Strangelove” in 1964.
In addition to being one of the first Black actors on daytime soap operas like “As the World Turns” and winning a Tony Award for “The Great White Hope” in 1969, Jones voiced Darth Vader in George Lucas’s “Star Wars” series starting in 1977.
Jones married Cecilia Hart in 1982; they had one son together named Flynn Earl Jones. In Disney’s “The Lion King” released in 1994 he voiced Mufasa—a role he reprised for its remake in 2019.
In recognition of his extensive contributions to theater and film throughout his life—including numerous awards such as two Primetime Emmy Awards—Broadway renamed its Cort Theater after him as James Earl Jones Theatre last year.
James Earl Jones passed away on September 9th at age ninety-three leaving behind an indelible mark on American culture through both theater & film performances spanning six decades
