James Earl Jones first appeared in the Episode: "Who Do You Kill?" of the American drama series ‘East Side West Side’ in 1963. He went on to make his silver screen debut in the 1964 black comedy film ‘Dr. Strangelove’ directed by Stanley Kubrick. The film opened to wide critical acclaim and went on to be considered one of the greatest films of all time. In 1967, he starred as ‘Dr. Georges Magiot’ in the American political drama film ‘The Comedians’ directed by Peter Glenville. The film failed to impress the critics and currently sits on a 27% approval score on Rotten Tomatoes. He next starred in films like ‘The End of the Road’ (1970), ‘The Great White Hope’ (1970), ‘King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis’ (1970), ‘Malcolm X’ (1972), ‘The Man’ (1972), ‘Claudine’ (1974), ‘The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings’ (1976), ‘Swashbuckler’ (1976), ‘Deadly Hero’ (1976), and ‘The Greatest’ (1977). He voiced ‘Darth Vader’ in the 1977 George Lucas-directed American epic space opera film ‘Star Wars.’ The film saw wide critical acclaim upon release and was a phenomenal box office success, grossing over $775.8 million on an $11 million budget. That same year, he also played the role of ‘Older Kokumo’ in the American horror film ‘Exorcist II: The Heretic’ directed by John Boorman. The film was marred by largely negative reviews from critics and came to be considered one of the worst films ever made.Â
He next starred in films like ‘The Bushido Blade’ (1979), ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ (1980), ‘The Flight of Dragons’ (1982), ‘Conan the Barbarian’ (1982), ‘Return of the Jedi’ (1983), ‘City Limits’ (1985), ‘Soul Man’ (1986), ‘Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold’ (1986), ‘Gardens of Stone’ (1987), ‘Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night’ (1987), and ‘Matewan’ (1987). He played the role of ‘King Jaffe Joffer’ in the 1988 American romantic comedy film ‘Coming to America’ directed by John Landis. The film garnered praise from critics and performed well at the box office, grossing over $288.8–350 million on a budget of $36 million. He was next seen in films like ‘Three Fugitives’ (1989), ‘Field of Dreams’ (1989), ‘The Hunt for Red October’ (1990), and ‘The Ambulance’ (1990). In 1990, he joined the cast of the American crime drama television series ‘Gabriel's Fire.’ He played the role of ‘Gabriel Bird’ and remained a part of the show until it went off-air in 1991. Jones next appeared in films like ‘Patriot Games’ (1992), ‘Sneakers’ (1992), ‘Sommersby’ (1993), ‘The Sandlot’ (1993), ‘Clean Slate’ (1994), ‘The Lion King’ (1994), ‘Clear and Present Danger’ (1994), ‘Jefferson in Paris’ (1995), ‘A Family Thing’ (1996), ‘Gang Related’ (1997), ‘Primary Colors’ (1998), ‘The Lion King II: Simba's Pride’ (1998), ‘Our Friend, Martin’ (1999), ‘Finder's Fee’ (2001), ‘Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith’ (2005), and ‘The Benchwarmers’ (2006).Â
In 2008, he starred as ‘Roscoe Jenkins, Sr.’ in the American comedy film ‘Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins’ directed by Malcolm D. Lee. The film received negative reviews from critics and was a box office disappointment. He continued to star in films such as ‘Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odyssey’ (2009), ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ (2009), ‘Gimme Shelter’ (2013), ‘The Angriest Man in Brooklyn’ (2014), ‘Rogue One’ (2016), ‘Warning Shot’ (2018), ‘The Lion King’ (2019), and ‘Coming 2 America’ (2021). He last appeared in the 2022 American television miniseries, ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ where he voiced ‘Darth Vader.’
Undoubtedly one of the greatest dark comedies of all time, Dr. Strangelove, is a Stanley Kubrick masterpiece. A Cold War satire, the movie depicts what would happen if an unhinged powerful figure like Brigadier General Jack D. Ripper unleashes nuclear holocaust on the world.
The documentary film biography of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., constructed using original newsreels, chronicles the important events of his Civil Rights Movement. King’s journey from a regional activist to the world-renowned leader of non-violent campaign for racial equality is captured through events from the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott to the 1968 assassination in Memphis, and also includes rare footage of his speeches, arrests, and protest-marches.
Matewan is a historical drama film which tells the story of a mining community that is being brutally and violently dominated and harassed by a powerful coal company. Eventually, a labor union organizer arrives to help them, and he is aided by a considerate mayor and a helpful police chief.
Shy Scotty Smalls moves to San Fernando Valley and joins a local baseball team. He and his friends go on adventures throughout the town. The gang, however, runs into trouble when Scotty borrows a ball signed by Babe Ruth without his stepfather’s knowledge and it goes over a fence protected by a huge dog.
At the height of the Cold War, Soviet submarine captain Marko Ramius, commanding the latest nearly undetectable nuclear missile submarine Red October, defies orders and sets course for America's east coast. After its presence is briefly detected, Jack Ryan, CIA analyst and former Marine, is given three days to confirm his theory that Ramius plans to defect.
After hearing an enigmatic voice say ‘If you build it, he will come,’ an Iowa corn-farmer Ray Kinsella, with support of his wife, decides to construct a baseball diamond in his corn-farm. Soon ‘Shoeless Joe Jackson’ appears there to play baseball. As Ray receives more messages, he understands that his ball-field is meant to be a place to realize certain unfulfilled dreams.
Claudine is a romantic drama film which revolves around a single mother named Claudine Price, who lives on welfare with her six kids. Her life takes a turn when she meets Rupert Marshall, but due to poverty and restrictions in the welfare system, as well as the hostility of her children, they face multiple struggles in their relationship.
The crown prince of Zamunda, Akeem Joffer, leads a luxurious life and is supposed to marry a girl of his parent’s choice. However, he decides to choose his life partner himself and along with his aide, Semmi, travels to Queens for the purpose. Disguised as poor student, he finds his perfect match in Lisa McDowell, but she has a boyfriend and her father does not approve of him.
Martin Bishop, who runs a company that tests security systems, is blackmailed by government agents into getting a black box from its inventor. Bishop’s ex-girlfriend and his team of experts, who retrieve the device, discover that it can decode any encryption code. As Bishop realizes that those men were criminals and not government officers, they incriminate him in the murder of the inventor.
Snake cult ruler and sorcerer Thulsa Doom destroys a tribe and then orphaned Conan is sold as a slave during childhood. Later, Conan becomes a fearless warrior and after his release, he commences on a mission to avenge his parents’ death. Accompanied by beautiful Valeria and archer Subotai, he rescues King Osric’s daughter, Princess Yasimina, and confronts the evil Thulsa Doom.
Jack Ryan is assigned to a case involving the murder of the US President’s friend by a Columbian drug cartel. When it is revealed that the murdered man had a business relationship with his assassin, the President declares the cartel to be a "clear and present danger" to the nation. Meanwhile, unknown to Ryan, a secret paramilitary force is sent to Columbia to wipe out the cartel.
After a tragic incident that kills the President of the United States, an African-American senator is made the first black President, since the Vice President refuses to assume office due to his mental condition. However, things turn difficult for the new President, due to the racism prevalent in the country.
The Great White Hope is a romantic drama sports film which tells the story of Jack Jefferson, an African American boxer, who faces numerous challenges in the world of boxing, due the the color of his skin. However, with the help of his Caucasian girlfriend, he moves forward towards success.
The sequel to The Hunt for Red October finds Jack Ryan killing Patrick Miller, a member of the terrorist cell, the IRA during an attack while his brother Sean watches. After Sean Miller is convicted, he escapes from prison and seeks revenge along with his fellow IRA members against Ryan and his family.
A retired detective has all the evidences necessary for sending two smart thieves to jail. But he agrees to keep quiet provided they consent to work among delinquent youths. Having no other options, they soon start working as career counselors for equally unwilling inner city kids. But later as they start enjoying their job they find their past catching up with them.
Best of the Best is an action sports drama film which tells the story of five American fighters, who make their way to Korea, to take part in an international martial arts tournament. When they notice that their opponents are far ahead of them in skill, they decide to forget their rivalries, and work together to win.
After getting pregnant, a teenager runs away from her abusive mother in search of her father. However, her father and her stepmother disowns her as well. Now she is forced to survive on the streets, until a compassionate priest decides to take her under his wing.
Divinci and Rodriguez are corrupt cops who have been killing off drug dealers, and then selling their narcotics for profit. Things get complicated when they accidentally end up killing an undercover DEA agent, after which the dead man’s partner comes to investigate.
Sergeant Clell Hazard wants to be an instructor for new recruits during the Vietnam War, but he is disheartened when he is instead stationed as a guard at a cemetery. When Private Jack Willow, the son of an old friend, is stationed under him, Hazard tries to teach him about war, before he is deployed to Vietnam.
Sommersby is a romantic period drama mystery film which tells the story of a farmer John, who goes to fight in the Civil War, but is presumed dead as he doesn’t return. When his wife is set to marry her neighbor, John suddenly returns to her life. Soon, she starts feeling that he might be an impostor.
Three Fugitives is an action comedy film which tells the story of Lucas, who visits a bank after being released from jail for several armed robberies. Although he is reformed, things get complicated when there is another robber at the bank, and Lucas is taken hostage. He is forced to run with his captor, when it is mistakenly assumed that they are working together.
This drama film takes us to a poor African-American neighborhood in Los Angeles, and it revolves around a poet Johnny Williams, who takes up a low paying job as a house painter, in order to survive and make ends meet. When he learns that his wife has terminal cancer, he grows more worried, regarding his family’s plight.
In Jamaica in 1718, Captain Lynch leads a band of pirates to oppose the greedy acting Governor, the evil Lord Durant. Durant has not only imprisoned his Lord High Justice, taking over the role himself, but he has also evicted the judge’s wife and daughter. Lynch joins forces with Jane, the judge’s daughter, to overthrow Durant.
Officer Lacy is a veteran working for the New York Police Department, who finds himself demoted for his violent and trigger-happy behavior. Responding to a call on the West Side of Manhattan, he finds a musician named Sally, who was kidnapped by a mugger. Although the mugger was unarmed, Lacy kills him and tells Sally to lie to the detectives to make himself look like a hero.
Henry Altmann is always upset and angry. However, when his doctor tells him that he is suffering from a brain aneurysm and will die within 90 minutes, he decides to make peace with his friends and family.
Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins is a romantic comedy film which tells the story of Dr R J Stevens, a successful talk-show host, who has millions of fans, but has cut off his ties to his parents and his hometown. However, he reluctantly agrees to attend the 50th anniversary of his parents, along with his wife and his ten year old son.
The African monarch Akeem is in need of a heir to the throne. Upon learning that he has a long-lost son in the US, he feels that he needs to return to the US, to bring him back to Zamunda.
The Bushido Blade is a historical action drama film, which revolves around a steel samurai blade that was to be presented to the American ambassador by the Emperor of Japan, which unfortunately get stolen. Therefore, American sailors and Japanese samurai are sent on a mission to recover it.
Soul Man is a comedy film which tells the story of Mark Watson, a pampered young boy from a rich family, whose father is unwilling to spend money on his education. He applies for a scholarship but it soon seems that it is only available for African-Americans. Therefore, he decides to use tanning pills to pose as one. He soon realizes that this is going to make people treat him a lot differently.
After a meteor shower, a mild mannered school teacher obtains super-human powers. This enables him to bring a group of criminals to justice, who has been terrorizing the streets.
The discovery of a mysterious old gold piece sends Allan Quatermain on a quest to find his long-lost brother, who had gone missing in the wilds of Africa.
Exorcist II: The Heretic is a supernatural horror film which tells the story of a teen girl who was once possessed by a demon. Four years later, she finds that the demon may still be lurking within her. Meanwhile, a priest is investigating the strange death of the girl’s exorcist.
After a mysterious plague wipes out almost the entire adult population in the future, the children grow up to form violent motorcycle gangs. Bored by farm life, young Lee sets out to join the Clippers gang and ends up fighting the evil Sunya Corporation.
Fleeing from a brutal imperial attack on the ice planet Hoth, Luke Skywalker and his R2-D2 crash-lands on Dagobah, where he trains under Master Yoda. Meanwhile, Han Solo and Princess Leia flee to Bespin, where they are captured by Darth Vader as baits to eventually lure in Luke, whom he plans to seduce to the dark side.
Captured by the diabolical Darth Vader, resistance leader Princess Leia sends two droids, R2-D2 and C-3PO, with the blueprint of planet-destroying Death Star to Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi. He trains simple moisture farmer Luke Skywalker, who teams up with smuggler Han Solo, his first mate Chewbacca, and the two robots, and embarks on an epic rebel mission.
The conclusion film of the original Star Wars trilogy, the movie sees the rebel heroes undertake a risky mission to save Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt before launching an attack to destroy the powerful mobile space station, Death Star, and ultimately defeat the evil empire.
Jyn Erso, an outcast whose scientist father Galen was forced by the Galactic Empire to complete the moon-sized battle-station Death Star, is rescued by the rebels after they learn that Galen secretly built a vulnerability into the super-weapon. She must accompany rebel intelligence officer Cassian Andor in rescuing Galen and retrieving the blueprint of the Death Star.
Anakin Skywalker, now a Jedi Knight disillusioned with the crumbling order, is encouraged by Chancellor Palpatine to use the dark side to kill Count Dooku while rescuing the former with Obi-Wan Kenobi. When he gets visions of his pregnant wife Padmé Amidala dying in childbirth, Palpatine again lures him to the dark side, promising him powers to prevent death.
Lion King Mufasa and Queen Sarabi rule over a huge forest in Africa. Their pride is their son, the lion cub Simba, whom they prepare to be the next king. However, Scar, Mufasa’s younger brother, schemes against Mufasa, and gets him killed. He makes Simba think that he is responsible for his father’s death, and Simba flees the kingdom. However, years later, he meets Nala, his childhood friend, who encourages him to return to his kingdom to avenge his father’s death and take what’s rightfully his.
This critically acclaimed film was based on former US President Bill Clinton’s first presidential campaign in 1992. The film tells the story of Henry Burton who joins the presidential campaign of Jack Stanton, Governor of Arkansas, who is running for President.
The movie finds Rey, Finn, and Poe leading the Resistance against Kylo Ren and the First Order. What follows is Kylo’s path to redemption and Rey discovering that she is the grandchild of the still-living Emperor Palpatine. The Resistance wins but Kylo ends up sacrificing himself to save Rey who then takes up the mantle of Skywalker.
Michael Newman is unable to spend more time with his family while he is pursuing his dream promotion at work. He wishes for a universal remote to control his life, and gets one from the eccentric inventor Morty. He pauses, skips and rewinds through his life until he eventually realizes that he has lost control of his life altogether.
In the future, with humanity in chaos and the Earth in decay, Joseph Dredd and other Judges, act as the police office, judge, jury, and executioner to keep order. When Dredd is framed for murder by former judge Rico and Griffin, he must wage a war to clear his name and uncover conspiracies.
Three nerdy adults, Gus, Clarke and Ritchie, who during their school-days always remained on the periphery of the sports, are helped by a millionaire, Mel, to form a baseball team named ‘The Benchwarmers,’ to compete with the bullies of Little Leagues. Soon, they, especially Gus, become hero of all picked-on children, till the fans discover that earlier Gus was a bully, too.
Following her husband's death, broke and lonely, Cindy Campbell, takes job in a haunted house and falls for her divorced neighbor Tom Ryan. However, when her future plans are disrupted by an alien invasion, she is instructed by the ghost of a Japanese boy to travel to a hidden village to learn how to stop the aliens.
A young vulnerable lion cub prince is falsely led to believe by his evil uncle that he was responsible for his father’s death. He flees, but eventually return as an adult to claim his rightful place as the King. The movie was the highest grossing film of the year and also figures in the list of highest-grossing animated films of all time.
Rodney Copperbottom is an aspiring inventor in a world full of sentient robots. He idolizes Bigweld, a famous inventor whose Bigweld Industries makes spare parts. Unfortunately, in Bigweld’s absence, the new owner Phineas T. Ratchet has stopped making spare parts in favor of expensive upgrades. Rodney must find a way to contact Bigweld and stop Rachet.
The last movie in The Naked Gun film series opens with cop Frank Drebin retiring from his job to devote more time to his personal life. However, he secretly desires to make a comeback. So when his former associates reach out to him seeking his help to catch a bomber who is planning to blow up the Academy Awards, he grabs the opportunity and goes undercover to stop the attack.
James Earl Jones Awards
| The Great White Hope | Most Promising Newcomer - Male | 1971 |
| Gabriel's Fire | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series | 1991 |
| Heat Wave | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special | 1991 |
| Winner | Best Spoken Word Recording | 1977 |
