James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones, an actor with an iconic speaking voice, received all four Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards as well as numerous other honors. During the Great Depression, James was born to a teacher(mother) and boxer/actor (father). After his father left the family, he was adopted and raised by his maternal grandparents on a farm in Michigan. As a child, Jones developed a severe stutter lasting for years, but with support from his high school teacher, he began to recite poetry and enter speaking contests helping him overcome his serious speech impediment and igniting a passion for acting that would last a lifetime. Jones's career spanned six decades, encompassing theater, film, and television. He gained critical acclaim for his role in "Fences," earning his second Tony Award for Best Actor. In cinema, he is known for voicing Darth Vader in "Star Wars" trilogy and Mufasa in Disney's "The Lion King." Jones's distinctive voice and commanding presence made him a revered figure in the entertainment industry. While raised a Methodist by his grandparents, Jones became a Catholic during his military service for which he later stated: “The only thing I had that was not geared toward the art of killing was the Catholic Church, to which I had converted in the Army, and the complete works of Shakespeare.” He described his narration of the New Testament Bible as "his greatest honor". On September 9, 2024 James Earl Jones left this earth on his journey to meet the Author of the Biblical text he so narrated. How is it possible that child with such a serious speech impediment should discover his unique role to play in the Christian Story?