James Earl Jones was born on this day in 1931 in Arkabutla, Miss. Known best for voicing Darth Vader, he was also a prolific actor on stage, in films, and on television.
Jones fell in love with acting in college but went off to serve in the military during the Korean War before returning to embark on his acting career. He moved to New York to study at the American Theatre Wing (which created and sponsors the Tony Awards), working as a janitor to make ends meet. That was also when he began to spend time with his father, who'd been largely absent during his childhood but was also a successful actor.
He debuted on Broadway in 1958 in "Sunrise at Campobello," going on to become a deeply respected Shakespearean actor in the coming decades, most famed for his several stints playing Othello. He also performed on and off-Broadway in shows with narratives steeped in the Cold War, race, parenthood, and other themes running through society in the 60s and 70s. His film debut came in 1964 with "Dr. Strangelove"—perhaps an early sign of his talent, given that the film remains on the lips of many movie buffs six decades after its release.
Throughout his career Jones won four Tony Awards, a Grammy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and three Emmy Awards. In 2012, he also received an honorary Oscar, earning him EGOT status. He died last September at 93 years old.
You can learn more about Jones' career and life on Biography.com.
