James Earl Jones was born on January 17 1931, in Arkabutla, Mississippi USA, of part Irish and Native-American descent. He is a renowned actor, basing his career not only on screen, but as well in theater, taking part in countless and varied successful film and theater productions such as “Conan the Barbarian”, “Dr. Strangelove”, “Great White Hope” and “Othello”.
Have you ever wondered how rich James Earl Jones is? According to sources it is estimated that James Earl Jones`s net worth is $45 million, his wealth earned through a successful acting career, and thanks to his deep voice he expanded his career to voice acting, earning him roles in “The Lion King” as Musafa and in “Star Wars” as the voice of Darth Vader. Jones has been an active member of the entertainment industry since 1953.
James Earl Jones Net Worth $45 Million
Jones`s childhood was nothing to brag about; his father left the family soon after he was born, and Jones was raised by his maternal grandparents. The move to his grandparent`s farm when he was five was a rather stressful event and Jones ended-up with a stutter that lasted almost through his whole education, until a professor in high school helped him to get rid of it completely. After graduation from Betheran High School, he continued his education at the University of Michigan studying medicine, however, his mind was more focused on drama at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance than on medicine, and before long he discovered his true vocation: acting. During the Korean War he served in the military, earning a Ranger tab and attaining First Lieutenant rank. He eventually graduated from University in 1955 after four years of studying.
However, James’ acting career had started as early as 1953 at the Ramsdell Theatre in Manistee, where he worked as a stage carpenter, and later through 1955 to 1957 he worked as an actor and stage manager. In 1955 came his first role, in Othello in this theater. Then he expanded his career on to Broadway, and in 1969 he has won his first Tony Award for the role as boxing championship Jack Johnson in “Great White Hope”. After the theater production, film of the same name was made, in which Jones repeated his role. However, this wasn`t his first role on film; his debut was in “Dr. Strangelove” in 1964, as a young lieutenant Lothar Zogg.
James Earl Jones net worth increased during the next few years as he was more and more involved in theater roles, mostly doing Shakespeare`s classics, “Othello”, “King Lear” and “Hamlet”. He won his second Tony Award for the theater show “Fences” in 1987. Also his film career thrived with roles in films “Claudine” and “Conan the Barbarian”. His career also expanded into voice acting, his deep voice used as Musafa in “The Lion King” and being the voice behind the Darth Vader`s mask in the “Star Wars” franchise, which added a considerable amount to his net worth.
Jones is also successful in television shows, mostly as a guest star in TV series including “Lois and Clark: The new Adventures of Superman”, “Two and a half Men”, and “The Big Bang Theory”.
Through his whole acting career, which is still active, James has been nominated for numerous notable awards, winning a Golden Globe for the film “Great White Hope” in 1970 and several Emmy Awards as a best supporting actor in TV productions. In addition, Jones received an Honorary Academy Award in 2011.
Regarding his personal life, he has a son, Flynn Earl Jones, with the actress Cecilia Hart with whom he has been in marriage since 1982. Jones has one divorce behind him, from Julienne Marrie, an actress\singer to whom he was married from 1968-72.
