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SCORES OF PLAYS. 90 television network dramas. And 120 movies, give or take. Over a career spanning seven decades, the late James Earl Jones, who died this week aged 93, has left a prodigious body of work; his acting helped change the perception of Black actors in Hollywood.
It’s hard to believe that Jones’ colossal career, famously known for his thunderous bass voice, started as a way for him to overcome his stutter as a child. But taking an interest in public speaking competitions and debating in high school, and with encouragement from a high school teacher who noticed his gift for writing poetry, Jones developed his likeness to portray characters of substance, gravitas and leadership.
But don’t be mistaken for conflating his dramatic filmography for stoney seriousness. During a high time in his career, post-Darth Vader from the 1980s onwards, James made his dramatic strong suits transferrable to comedic roles, sometimes even balancing both light and shade, most famously in Coming to America.
And this is perhaps the character Jones excelled at most. Here, we’ve compiled our highlights from Jones’ career that showcase his use of voice and skills as a character actor.
What are James Earl Jones’s best roles?
5. Conan the Barbarian (1982)
Where to watch: Disney+
Playing Thulsa Doom in Conan the Barbarian was one of Jones’ first films dabbling in outlandish villains after Darth Vader. Starring opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger’s titular Conan, Doom is the leader of a snake-worshipping cult whose crimes are just as horrific as the wig he wears. What director John Millius required for the role was a campy antagonist who delivered speeches and riddles like a violent aria. By this time, Jones has already generated a significant career in theatre, surely catching the attention for other roles to come, ones that require his fine balance of drama and comedic timing.
4. Field of Dreams (1989)
Where to watch: Stan, Binge, Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video
It’s an easy sell when making a sports movie, most of all baseball, sentimental. But how can you up the emotional investment? Jones starred in the 1989 Field of Dreams (an adaptation of W.P. Kinsella’s novel, Shoeless Joe) where he played reclusive and disillusioned writer Terence Mann. Mann starts off the film as a naysayer to Kevin Costner’s dreamer Ray Kinsella, who after hearing voices telling him to carve out a baseball diamond out of a cornfield enlists Mann for help, who’d once dreamt of becoming a baseball player. Once on board, Mann’s speeches about baseball, America, and hope ring true today.
When hearing about Jones’ passing, Costner took to Instagram to commemorate his time with Jones on the film. “That booming voice. That quiet strength. The kindness that he radiated. So much can be said about his legacy, so I’ll just say how thankful I am that part of it includes Field of Dreams.”
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3. Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Return of the Jedi (1983)
Where to watch: Disney+
If we’re speaking of strictly iconic, some may argue that Darth Vader should be taking the top spot for Jones’ best role. But it would be remiss to not mention Bruce Prowse, the actor who played Vader’s imposing physical presence, as one half of the collaborative performance in the original trilogy. Nevertheless, paid $7,000 for two and a half hours work in a recording booth, Jones brought his thespian delivery to the masked menace.
Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker, Vader’s son, wrote in an Instagram post in response to Jones’ passing: “One of the world’s finest actors whose contributions to Star Wars were immeasurable. He’ll be greatly missed. RIP dad.”
2. Coming to America (1988)
Where to watch: Stan, Binge, Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video
Because of his ability to deliver gravitas to a supporting role, Jones was the perfect counterpoint to Eddie Murphy’s antics as Akeem Joffer, an African prince who goes to New York City in search of a bride. As Akeem’s father, King Jaffe Joffer, it’s the type of performance at the height of a highly respected dramatic actor’s career to leverage his strong suits for laughs. Jones still remains stoney, but when standing next to Akeem’s flamboyance, it only amplifies the decadence and conservatism of his character as campy.
Jones reprised his role for the 2021 sequel, Coming 2 America, which marked his final performance before retiring.
1. The Lion King (1994)
Where to watch: Disney+
Jones’ role as Mufasa introduced his iconic voice to a whole new generation. What makes Mufasa take the cake as Jones’ best role was for the impact of his character’s death in the film, a death by a thousand stampeding wildebeest at the paws of his villainous brother Scar (Jeremy Irons), that traumatised baby Millennials the world over the same way the death of Bambi’s mother did for Boomers.
When live action remakes were all the rage in the 2010s, Jones was the only original cast member to return for the Lion King’s. He was persuaded by director Jon Favreau, who, while trying to give authentic cultural realism to a photorealistic animated film, realised that Jones’ voice is simply inimitable (and could’ve caused an uproar if someone else were cast).
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James Earl Jones, the voice of Darth Vader and Mufasa, dies at 93
