The 13 Best James Earl Jones Roles

James Earl Jones will forever be remembered for his signature basso profundo voice that gave Darth Vader from the Star Wars films and TV series gravitas enough for that galaxy far away and ours. The Mississippi-born actor overcame a childhood stutter to possess one of the most recognizable voices in Hollywood.

The Emmy-, Grammy-, and Tony-winning actor, who passed away on September 9 at the age of 93, had a long and distinguished career in film, theater, and TV. Try to imagine Mufasa from either film version of The Lion King without Jones’ distinctive deep voice that instantaneously commands respect.

Jones appeared in dozens of films and TV shows since making his movie debut in 1964’s Dr. Strangelove. These are 13 of his most memorable roles.

Darth Vader in the Star Wars Universe

James Earl Jones became an international star after voicing Darth Vader, formerly known as Anakin Skywalker, in 1977’s Star Wars: A New Hope. When Vader scolds an underling by saying, “The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force,” we 100% believe him.

Jones returned to voice the Sith lord in The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, Revenge of the Sith, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and The Rise of Skywalker. He also voiced Vader on several animated TV series and The Star Wars Holiday Special. For Darth Vader’s return on the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jones authorized Lucasfilm to use archival recordings and AI to recreate Darth Vader’s voice.

Lt. Lothar Zogg in Dr. Strangelove (1964)

James Earl Jones made his film debut as B-52 bombardier Lt. Lothar Zogg in Stanley Kubrick’s political satire/black comedy Dr. Strangelove.

In a piece written by Jones for The Wall Street Journal in 2004, Jones said, “Jean Jacques Rousseau said that God is a comedian playing to an audience that is afraid to laugh. In his film Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, Stanley Kubrick, to some a ‘god’ in the pantheon of cinema, made us laugh out loud at thermonuclear war.”

Mufasa in The Lion King (1994, 2019)

In the animated 1994 classic The Lion King, James Earl Jones voices King Mufasa, the lion ruler of the Pride Lands and father of Simba. Jones reprised the voice role for the 2019 photorealistic animated remake.

James Earl Jones reportedly said that it took him a while to find Mufasa’s voice. “My first mistake was to try and make him regal,” said Jones. “And what they really needed was something more like me. And so they began to impose my facial expressions onto Mufasa, and a different tone of voice. Yeah, he was authoritative, but he was just a gentle dad.”

Jack Jefferson in The Great White Hope (1970)

In The Great White Hope, James Earl Jones plays boxer Jack Jefferson, who is based on the real-life boxer Jack Johnson. Both Jones and costar Jane Alexander appeared in the same roles in the Broadway stage version, and both actors received Oscar nominations for their performances in this film adaptation directed by Martin Ritt.

Jones later provided commentary for a documentary about Johnson, saying, “To know the story of Jack Johnson is to know that it is a study in hubris.”

Terence Mann in Field of Dreams (1989)

1989’s Field of Dreams stars Kevin Costner as a man who transforms his cornfield into a baseball field that attracts the ghosts of baseball legends. James Earl Jones plays a controversial 1960s author named Terence Mann who has become a recluse.

Anyone wanting to see a boomer male cry, play Field of Dreams. The sentimental movie tugs at the heartstrings of those with fond memories of going to baseball games with their fathers.

Jones said about Field of Dreams: “The movie insists that you participate with your heart more than your mind, more than your critical facilities.

“The first time I saw it, I was affected when the score welled up, even before Kevin began the narration. The music, I think, was enough — I started crying. And by the time Kevin started saying certain things about his father, and several situations were introduced — even before my character came in, I was so emotionally affected by it.”

King Jaffe Joffer in Coming to America (1988) and Coming 2 America (2021)

In the John Landis-directed romantic comedy Coming to America starring Eddie Murphy as Prince Akeem Joffer, James Earl Jones plays King Jaffe Joffer — Akeem’s father and king of Zamunda. Jones reprised the role in the long-overdue 2021 sequel, Coming 2 America.

“Of the countless characters I’ve portrayed, King Jaffe Joffer remains one of the most enjoyable and iconic characters I’ve had the pleasure of playing,” said Jones to People. “With his regal and commanding presence as the ruler of Zamunda, I reveled at bringing his presence to life for Coming to America in 1988. And now, over 30 years later, I am honored to reprise my role once again in the sequel, Coming 2 America. It means the world to me to be a part of this beloved franchise.”

Thulsa Doom in Conan the Barbarian (1982)

In John Milius’ Conan the Barbarian starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as the titular barbarian warrior, James Earl Jones plays Thulsa Doom — the sinister leader of a snake cult who killed Conan’s parents.

“There was no particular reason I should have played Thulsa Doom,” said Jones in 2011. “It was John Milius’ idea. He had written a lot of speeches derived from the sayings of evil men throughout history, so he put a Teutonic wig on my head, placed me at the top of a canyon in southern Spain overlooking the Mediterranean, and told me to cut loose.”

Thank you, Mr. Milius, for letting Jones go full theatrical Jones for the memorable part.

Admiral James Greer in The Hunt for Red October (1990), Patriot Games (1992), and Clear and Present Danger (1994)

James Earl Jones plays Vice Admiral James Greer, deputy director of the CIA, in three installments of the Jack Ryan film series: The Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games, and Clear and Present Danger. Alec Baldwin plays Jack Ryan in The Hunt for Red October, while Harrison Ford portrays the character in the following two movies.

In Clear and Present Danger, Admiral James Greer is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Jones reportedly said that this plot point added an extra emotional layer to his performance and deepened his connection with Jack Ryan.

Gabriel Bird on Gabriel’s Fire (1990-1991)

James Earl Jones plays Gabriel Bird — a former Chicago police officer wrongly convicted of killing a fellow officer and sentenced to life in prison — on the ABC series Gabriel’s Fire. Although the acclaimed crime drama only aired for one season, Jones won an Emmy for his performance.

Jones earned both of his Emmys in 1991: one for Gabriel’s Fire, and the other for Best Supporting Actor in Heat Wave.

Douglass Dilman in The Man (1972)

In Rod Serling’s political drama The Man, James Earl Jones plays Douglass Dilman — the president pro tempore of the United States Senate who, after an incredible series of events, becomes the first African-American president of the United States.

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times four days before Barack Obama’s inauguration, Jones was asked about playing the first fictional Black U.S. president on-screen. Jones said, “I have misgivings about that one. It was done as a TV special. Had we known it was to be released as a motion picture, we would have asked for more time and more production money. I regret that.”

Malcolm X in The Greatest (1977)

In the biographical sports drama The Greatest, boxer Muhammad Ali plays himself and James Earl Jones plays American revolutionary Malcolm X.

According to The New York Times, although Jones was never active in the civil rights movement, he expressed his admiration for Malcolm X and said that he might have become a revolutionary had he not become an actor.

Jones said, “I came to realize that the Black man in America is the tragic hero, the Oedipus, the Hamlet, the Macbeth, even the working-class Willy Loman, the Uncle Tom and Uncle Vanya of contemporary American life.”

“Few Clothes” Johnson in Matewan (1987)

John Sayles’ Matewan is a dramatization of the 1920 Battle of Matewan coal miners’ strike in West Virginia. James Earl Jones plays one of the miners, “Few Clothes” Johnson.

In its review of Matewan, Variety describes Jones as a standout character with a “powerful presence” and giving a performance that “practically glows in the dark.”

Chris Cooper, who stars in Matewan, told The New York Times, ”[Jones is a] very quiet, a gentle man, a gentleman. He helped me a whole lot. I’m looking at James Earl — the camera is not on him — and I see he is reacting to the point of tears streaming down from his eyes. It enhanced my performance.”

Detective Marvin Dugan in Three Fugitives (1989)

In Francis Veber’s crime comedy Three Fugitives starring Nick Nolte and Martin Short, James Earl Jones plays Inspector Marvin Dugan.

Although critics didn’t have many kind things to say about Three Fugitives as a whole, they still described Jones’ committed performance as first-rate for playing the cop itching to take down the character played by Nick Nolte.