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James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones

Actor · Died September 9, 2024, aged 93 · Arkabutla, Mississippi, USA

Oscar winner · 2 Primetime Emmys · Golden Globe winner · 3 other major award bodies

James Earl Jones (January 17, 1931 – September 9, 2024) was an American actor. He was described as "one of America's most distinguished and versatile" actors for his performances on stage and screen, and "one of the greatest actors in American history". Over his career, he received three Tony Awards, two Emmy Awards, and a Grammy Award. He was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1985. He was honored with the National Medal of Arts in 1992, the Kennedy Center Honor in 2002, the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2009 and the Honorary Academy Award in 2011. His deep voice has been praised as a "stirring basso profondo that has lent gravel and gravitas" to his projects.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 17, 1931
Died
September 9, 2024 (aged 93)
From
Arkabutla, Mississippi, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
124 on MovieCove · 211 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 7% in 30 days

What are James Earl Jones' films like?

Across their 81 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Drama20 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 53rd percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Action14 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 51st percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy13 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 64th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Documentary12 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 90th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Animation8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 67th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Animation movies
Adventure4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 26th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 93rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 51st percentile
: browse their Crime movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
23%
Bonds
21%
Self
15%
Society
14%
Power
13%
Survival
9%
Ideas
6%
Family bonds22 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice14 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity14 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival13 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption10 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity12 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose8 titles, browse their movies with this themeOppression7 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 78 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 32 · Serious 18 · Dark 28

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 51 · Stylized 20 · Heightened 7

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 24 · Charged 33 · Intense 21

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 33 · Shifting 37 · Whiplash 8

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 45 · Some laughs 19 · Funny 14

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 35 · Even-paced 38 · Relentless 5

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

A split, not a type: Casual 40 · Engaged 34 · Full focus 4

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 36 · Affecting 24 · Heavy 18

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 64 · Open-ended 10 · Ambiguous 4

Roles they play

48 analyzed roles

Usually the Mentor: 22 of 48 analyzed roles.

Mentor
22 of 48
Hero
6 of 48
Ally
6 of 48
Shadow
5 of 48
Herald
4 of 48
Trickster
3 of 48
Threshold guardian
2 of 48
Show the 48 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
43
Warm
23
Melancholic
22
Hopeful
24
Contemplative
18
Other
75

How their films linger

Hopeful37 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good25 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking23 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet20 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy32
  • Bittersweet29
  • Tragic6
  • Ambiguous12
  • Cyclical2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch James Earl Jones' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 80 of their 124 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (30).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for James Earl Jones' titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

211 credits, 124 with a MovieCove page; 57 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Indiana Jones Adventure | Disneyland Resort (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Mara (voice)

  • Mufasa: The Lion King(2024)

    In Memory Of

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Butterfly in the Sky(2022)

    as Guest Narrator (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Obi-Wan Kenobi(2022)

    Show 4 episodes · as Darth Vader (voice)

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all shows

  • Coming 2 America(2021)

    as King Jaffe Joffer

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Giving Voice(2020)

    as Troy Maxson

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker(2019)

    as Darth Vader (voice)

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • The Lion King(2019)

    as Mufasa (voice)

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • The Space: Theatre of Survival (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Narrator

  • Warning Shot(2018)

    as Pendleton

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • The Lion Guard: Life In The Pride Lands (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Mufasa (voice)

  • Rogue One: A Star Wars Story(2016)

    as Darth Vader (voice)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar(2015)

    as Mufasa (voice)

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Driving Miss Daisy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Hoke Colburn

  • Star Wars Rebels: The Siege of Lothal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Darth Vader (voice)

  • Star Wars: Rebels(2014)

    Show 2 episodes · as Darth Vader (voice)

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Darth Vader (voice)

  • The Angriest Man in Brooklyn(2014)

    as Ruben

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Gimme Shelter(2013)

    as Frank McCarthy

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • The Loving Story(2011)

    as Jack Jefferson

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odyssey(2010)

    as Admiral (voice)

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Jack and the Beanstalk(2009)

    as The Giant (voice)

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins(2008)

    as Papa Jenkins

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Earth(2007)

    as Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The Big Bang Theory(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as James Earl Jones

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • John, Paul, George and Ben (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Narrator

  • Click(2006)

    as Narrator of Michael's Past (voice) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • The Best of The Tony Awards: The Plays (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Jack Jefferson (segment "The Great White Hope") / Troy Maxson (segment "Fences")

  • Scary Movie 4(2006)

    as Narrator (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • The Benchwarmers(2006)

    as Darth Vader (voice)

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • The Trail Of Tears: Cherokee Legacy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Narrator

  • The Sandlot 2(2005)

    as Mr. Mertle

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • The Reading Room (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as William

  • Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith(2005)

    as Darth Vader (voice - uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Robots(2005)

    as Voice Box at Hardware Store (voice)

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • By Any Means Necessary: The Making of 'Malcolm X' (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Narrator

  • House(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Dibala

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Nine Dog Christmas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Storyteller (voice)

  • The Story of Star Wars: The Story of Anakin Skywalker(2004)

    as Darth Vader (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Black Indians: An American Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Narrator

  • The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Maggie Simpson (voice)

  • Two and a Half Men(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as James Earl Jones

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • The Great Year (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Narrator

  • Everwood(2002)

    Show 3 episodes · as Will Cleveland

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Fredericksburg: A Documentary Film (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Narrator

  • The Feast of All Saints(2001)

    as Older Marcel

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Recess Christmas: Miracle on Third Street(2001)

    as Mister (voice)

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • According to Jim(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Royal Flush Voice (voice)

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • Finder's Fee(2001)

    as Avery Phillips

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Disney's American Legends (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Narrator

  • Antietam: A Documentary Film (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Narrator

  • Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Actor

  • Santa and Pete(1999)

    as Grandpa Nicholas

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • The Annihilation of Fish(1999)

    as Fish

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Undercover Angel(1999)

    as The Judge

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • On the Q.T.(2001)

    as Leo

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Summer's End(1999)

    as Dr. William 'Bill' Blakely

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Our Friend, Martin(1999)

    as Daddy King (voice)

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • The Lion King II: Simba's Pride(1998)

    as Mufasa (voice)

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Will & Grace(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as James Earl Jones

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • Merlin(1998)

    Show 2 episodes · as Rock of Ages

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all shows

  • Primary Colors(1998)

    as CNN Voiceover (voice)

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Alone(1997)

    as Grey

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • The Second Civil War(1997)

    as Jim Kalla

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • What the Deaf Man Heard(1997)

    as Archibald Thacker

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Gang Related(1997)

    as Arthur Baylor

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Hitler's Forgotten Victims (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Narrator (voice) (DVD version)

  • Casper: A Spirited Beginning(1997)

    as Kibosh (voice)

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Stargate SG-1(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Unas (Voice)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Good Luck (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as James Bing

  • Timepiece (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Lawrence

  • Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault(1996)

    as Dr. McDuffie

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • A Family Thing(1996)

    as Ray Murdock

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • 3rd Rock from the Sun(1996)

    Show 19 episodes · as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • Cry, the Beloved Country(1995)

    as Rev. Stephen Kumalo

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Who's in Rabbit's House? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Judge Dredd(1995)

    as Narrator (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • The Making of 'Jurassic Park'(1995)

    as Host

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Jefferson in Paris(1995)

    as Madison Hemings

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Under One Roof (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 6 episodes · as Neb Langston

  • Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as King Dakkar (voice)

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows

  • Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Mufasa

  • Signs and Wonders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 4 episodes · as Diamond

  • People: A Musical Celebration (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as The Storyteller (voice)

  • Bah, Humbug!: The Story of Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Narrator

  • Touched by an Angel(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as The Angel of Angels

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • Clear and Present Danger(1994)

    as Admiral James Greer

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • The Lion King(1994)

    as Mufasa (voice)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Twilight Zone: Rod Serling's Lost Classics(1994)

    as Host

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Clean Slate(1994)

    as John Dolby

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Africa: The Serengeti (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Narrator

  • Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult(1994)

    as James Earl Jones (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Confessions: Two Faces of Evil(1994)

    as Charles Lloyd

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • The Vernon Johns Story(1994)

    as Vernon Johns

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Hallelujah (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Old Man Taylor

  • Frasier(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Norman Royster

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Franklin Stern

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all shows

  • Percy & Thunder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Percy Banks

  • The Meteor Man(1993)

    as Earnest Moses

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Dreamrider (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Bill Perry

  • Excessive Force(1992)

    as Jake

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • The Sandlot(1993)

    as Mr. Mertle

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Sommersby(1993)

    as Judge Barry Conrad Issacs

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Homicide: Life on the Street(1993)

    Show 3 episodes · as Felix Wilson

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Lincoln (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Picket Fences(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Bryant Thomas

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Sneakers(1992)

    as Mr. Bernard Abbott

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Patriot Games(1992)

    as Adm. James Greer

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Narrator (voice)

  • Pros and Cons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 12 episodes · as Gabriel Bird

  • True Identity(1991)

    as James Earl Jones

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • When It Was a Game (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as (voice)

  • Scorchers(1991)

    as Bear

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Portrait of Castro's Cuba (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Host/Narrator

  • Visitors from the Unknown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Convicts(1991)

    as Ben Johnson

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Grim Prairie Tales (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Morrison

  • Law & Order(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Defense Attorney Horace McCoy

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Gabriel's Fire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 22 episodes · as Gabriel Bird

  • Ivory Hunters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Inspector Nkuru

  • Heat Wave(1990)

    as Junius Johnson

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Last Flight Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Al Topping

  • By Dawn's Early Light(1990)

    as Alice

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • The Ambulance(1990)

    as Lt. Spencer

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • The Hunt for Red October(1990)

    as Vice ADM James Greer

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Teach 109 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Dr. Winston

  • Terrorgram (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Retribution (voice)

  • The Simpsons(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Maggie Simpson (voice) · as Moving Man / Serak the Preparer / Narrator (voice) · as Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • 11-22-63: The Day the Nation Cried(1988)

    as Narrator

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Best of the Best(1989)

    as Frank Couzo

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Field of Dreams(1989)

    as Terrence Mann

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Long Ago and Far Away (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 35 episodes · as Host

  • Three Fugitives(1989)

    as Dugan

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Stories to Remember: Noah's Ark (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Narrator

  • The Hunting of the Snark (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Garfield and Friends(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Diablo

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Coming to America(1988)

    as King Jaffe Joffer

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Michael Jackson: The Legend Continues (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Matewan(1987)

    as 'Few Clothes' Johnson

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night(1987)

    as Emperor of the Night (voice)

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Gardens of Stone(1987)

    as Sgt. Maj.'Goody' Nelson

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • A House Divided (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Actor

  • Mathnet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 3 episodes · as Chief Thad Green · as Chief Thad Green (voice) · as Chief Thad Greene

  • Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold(1986)

    as Umslopogaas

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Soul Man(1986)

    as Professor Banks

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • L.A. Law(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Lee Atkins

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • My Little Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Ike Bailey

  • Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Genie / Narrator

  • The Lone Star Kid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Holmes

  • Moses (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Pharaoh

  • City Limits (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Albert

  • Me & Mom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 6 episodes · Actor

  • The Atlanta Child Murders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 2 episodes · as Major Walker

  • Visual Pathfinders: Robert Abel & Associates (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • The Vegas Strip War(1984)

    as Jack Madrid

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Highway to Heaven(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Gabe Wilson

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all shows

  • CBS Schoolbreak Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Detective Robb

  • Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Narrator

  • Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi(1983)

    as Darth Vader (voice)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Bloodtide(1982)

    as Frye

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Amy and the Angel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Gabriel

  • Faerie Tale Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Genie / Narrator (voice)

  • The Flight of Dragons(1982)

    as Ommadon (voice)

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Conan the Barbarian(1982)

    as Thulsa Doom

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • American Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Winston (segment 'Teach 109') · as Old Man Taylor

  • Golden Book Video - Beauty and the Beast (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • The Creation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • The Bushido Blade(1981)

    as The Prisoner

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Beauty and the Beast (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • God's Trombones (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • The Golden Moment: An Olympic Love Story(1980)

    as Dane Oliver

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back(1980)

    as Darth Vader (voice) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 2 episodes · as Father Divine

  • Paris (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 13 episodes · as Woody Paris

  • Roots: The Next Generations(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Alex Haley

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Paul Robeson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Paul Robeson

  • The Star Wars Holiday Special(1978)

    as Darth Vader (voice)

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • The Story of the Faithful Wookiee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Darth Vader (voice) (uncredited)

  • The Magic of David Copperfield (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Greatest Thing That Almost Happened(1977)

    as Morris Bird, Jr.

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • A Piece of the Action(1977)

    as Joshua Burke

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • The Making of 'Star Wars'(1977)

    as Darth Vader (voice) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Exorcist II: The Heretic(1977)

    as Older Kokumo

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • The Last Remake of Beau Geste(1977)

    as Sheikh

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope(1977)

    as Darth Vader (voice) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • The Greatest(1977)

    as Malcolm X

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Jesus of Nazareth(1977)

    Show 4 episodes · as Balthazar

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Swashbuckler(1976)

    as Nick Debrett

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings(1976)

    as Leon

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • The River Niger(1976)

    as Johnny Williams

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Deadly Hero(1975)

    as Rabbit Shazam

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • The UFO Incident (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Barney Hill

  • Vegetable Soup (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 57 episodes · as Long John Spoilsport

  • The Cay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Timothy

  • Claudine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Rupert D. "Roop" Marshall

  • King Lear (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as King Lear

  • The Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Douglass Dilman

  • Malcolm X(1972)

    as Biographical Narration (voice)

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Martin Luther King, Jr.: Legacy of a Dream (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Narrator

  • Great Performances (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as King Lear

  • The Great White Hope(1970)

    as Jack Jefferson

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • End of the Road (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Doctor D

  • Sesame Street(1969)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • The Comedians(1967)

    as Dr. Magiot

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Tarzan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb(1964)

    as Lt. Lothar Zogg

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • East Side/West Side (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Dr. Kildare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 3 episodes · as Dr. Lou Rush

  • The Defenders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Lieutenant Andrews · as Reverend Harris Bonham

  • Hallmark Hall of Fame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · as Archibald Thacker

  • Lamp Unto My Feet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 209 titles from 1948 to 2025; peak year 1989.

Biggest box office

The Lion King (2019)

$1.7B worldwide

Highest rated

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

Midcredits 99th

Film career

MilestoneNomination
19482025

Peak 1989 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 21 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting208 of 209: 208 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score59thOther crew1 of 209: 1 only other crew, 0 with another role

By decade

1940s1 · acting1950s1 · acting1960s7 · acting1970s29 · acting1980s46 · acting1990s75 · acting2000s31 · acting2010s14 · acting2020s5 · 4 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 5% of 62 roles
647989949909

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

an Oscar, 2 Primetime Emmys, a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild Award and 1 other major award from 21 major nominations, 1964–2012.

WinNomination
  1. 2012
    • Oscar, won
  2. 2009
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, won
  3. 2004
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
  4. 2001
    • Grammy Award, nominated · Best Spoken Word Album for Children
  5. 1997
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
  6. 1996
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
  7. 1995
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
  8. 1994
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
Show 9 earlier years
  1. 1992
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama
  2. 1991
    • Primetime Emmy, won · Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
    • Primetime Emmy, won · Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama
  3. 1990
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special
  4. 1988
    • Independent Spirit Award, nominated · Best Supporting Male
  5. 1977
    • Grammy Award, won · Best Spoken Word Recording
  6. 1975
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
  7. 1971
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Actor in a Leading Role
    • Golden Globe, won · Most Promising Newcomer - Male
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
  8. 1970
    • Grammy Award, nominated · Best Spoken Word Recording
  9. 1964
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do James Earl Jones' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 58th percentile, the median of all 99; across their 78 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 62nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

62ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 78

Approval · how many liked their films

62ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 78

Reach · how many have seen their films

67thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 78

Midcredits score across 124 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up44
  • 50th to 74th35
  • 25th to 49th29
  • Below 25th16

Shape of the crowd

47 of their 124 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved22
  • Universally Panned2
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic13
  • Crowd Pleaser47
  • Broadly Agreed4
  • Mixed34

Most divisive · actor

The Golden Moment: An Olympic Love Story (1980)

97th percentile spread · 64% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

Midcredits 99th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 69/100 in their films, across 66 reviewed titles; fans 77, detractors 45. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is James Earl Jones' work okay for kids?

Across up to 28 MovieCove titles with content scores, frightening / intense runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore17 titles29–66 · median 43 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity28 titles9–60 · median 28 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity22 titles6–67 · median 33 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs16 titles4–35 · median 27 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense17 titles35–71 · median 55 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does James Earl Jones work with?

People who share at least 2 of James Earl Jones' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Mark Hamill shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers

Producers

Mixed roles