James Earl Jones is one of America’s most distinguished and versatile actors who has a net worth of $45 million. Literally, he is the #13 richest black actors. Jones is best known for his voice in the Star Wars trilogy. Since 1953, this versatile actor has appeared in 185 films and television series so far.
As a voice actor, Earl Jones is famous for The Lion King, Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker, and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
Throughout his seven decades of acting contribution, Earl Jones has won 26 reputed awards so far, including the Academy Award in 2012.
Earning Highlights
This No. 13 richest black actor has a diverse source of income. He can play a diverse role in filming.
In the worldwide box office, Earl Jones is credited with 40 high-grossing films. His supporting role in these films aided to gather $5,338,819,330 at the box office.
He contributed to the film industry in both supporting, leading, and narrating roles. Besides, Jones’s collaborative acting was a vital part of numerous filming successes.
Earl Jones’s notable film appearance and box office earnings are mentioned below —
Films Name | Box Office Earning |
The Lion King | $1.08 billion |
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story | $1.05 billion |
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker | $1.07 billion |
Dr. Strangelove | $9.43 million |
The Hunt for Red October | $200 million |
Coming to America | $289 million |
Click | $241 million |
In 1988, Earl Jones portrayed King Jaffe Joffer in the comedy film — Coming to America. He took $900k portraying Joffer in this film.
Star Wars Trilogy & James Earl Jones Salary
James Earl Jones came to the limelight after his voice in the multi-billion dollars revenue series films — Star Wars.
But, at that time, he was paid only $7,000 for his voice role. In comparison between then and now, his salary is now equivalent to $27k.
Literally, James was paid too low in terms of his contribution.
In several interviews, James expressed his satisfaction receiving a low salary. Otherwise, comparing his works, his net worth would be higher than $50 million.
Later, he paid more than $7k in the Star Wars movies. His salary range from Star Wars at that time was $7k to $9k.
Earnings Summary
James Earl has grossed most of his wealth through acting. He is working with the film industry for more than seven decades. In most cases, he was paid a low salary.
However, James Earl Jones’s yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily income counts as below —
- Yearly Income: $7.28 million
- Monthly Income: $606k
- Weekly Income: $140k
- Daily Income: $20k
- Hourly Income: $830
James Earl Jones: At a Glance
Full Name | James Earl Jones |
Gender | Male |
Date of Birth | 17 January 1931 |
Birth Place | Arkabutla, Mississippi, United States |
Height | 1.87 m |
Weight | 85 kg |
Spouse | Cecilia Hart, Julie Marie |
Children | 1; Flynn Earl Jones |
Profession | Actor, Voice artist |
Nationality | American |
Net Worth | $45 million |
Early Life
James Earl Jones is the son of Robert Earl Jones and Ruth Jones. He was born in Arkabutla, Mississippi, on 17 January 1931. After a couple of days of Jones’s birth, his father left them. Earl Jones is of Irish, Native American, and African-American descent.
However, Earl Jones grew up with his maternal grandparents. Earl Jones and his father didn’t know each other before the 1950s.
Talking about education, Earl Jones attended the Browning School in New York. Later, he graduated from Dickson Rural Agricultural School that is located in Brethren, Michigan. He further took higher education from the University of Michigan.
James Earl has also taken military training. He loved the military environment. Later, he attended the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, where he focused on drama.
Career
Before starting a professional acting career, James Earl Jones served in the US military. After serving in the US military, James moved to New York to pursue an acting career.
Literally, Earl Jones started his acting career at a historical playhouse theater — The Ramsdell Theater. He first portrayed Othello in this theater. Throughout his theater acting, Jones portrayed numerous of Shakespeare’s characters.
Jones’s first film appearance came in 1964. His film debut was the black comedy film — Dr. Strangelove. Later, he got the chance to appear in films like ‘The Comedians’, ‘The Great White Hope’, ‘Malcolm X’, ‘The River Niger’, ‘Claudine’, ‘Deadly Hero’, and so on.
In 1967, Jones lent his voice to the multi-billion earning film series — Star Wars. He voiced for the fictional character — Darth Vader.
Since 1953, James Earl Jones has had an acting credit of 185 films and television series so far. He is also famous for his critical role in numerous television series.
In 1971, Earl Jones was nominated for the Oscar award in the category of Best Actor in a Leading Role for the 1970 film — The Great White Hope. Later, he won this Oscar award in 2012.
However, over seven decades of an active career, James Earl Jones has won 26 reputed awards so far.
FAQs
Yes, actor James Earl Jones has the rarest navy-blue eyes. His paternal and maternal great grandfather and mother came from Irish, Ancient America, and Africa-America. Talking about the actor’s eye, Michael Early has sky blue eyes and Robert Ri’chard has pale green eyes.
Yes, actor James Earl Jones is a Catholic Christian. He was born in Arkabutla, Mississippi, and grew up to his maternal grandparents.
James Earl Jones has the most prolific and identified voice in cinematic history. He lent his voice in the Star Wars trilogy for the fictional character — Darth Vader. Literally, he is mostly known as a voice artist.
Sources:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000469/ — James Earl Jones IMDB.
https://www.the-numbers.com/person/1200401-James-Earl-Jones#tab=summary — James Earl Jones box office summary.
https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0110357/ — Box Office earning of the film, The Lion King.