Legendary actor and Mississippi native James Earl Jones, who recently passed away at the age of 93, is being honored in Congress for his contributions to the arts.
Sens. Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith, both of Mississippi, led the efforts on a resolution honoring Jones. Jones was born in the small Delta town of Arkabutla before going on to have star roles in Star Wars, Field of Dreams, and The Lion King.
“From the Mississippi Delta to the world stage, James Earl Jones’ extraordinary voice and commanding presence inspired generations,” Hyde-Smith said. “His contributions to the arts, culture, and humanities will undoubtedly stand the test of time. May his legacy always remind us of the strength, resilience, and power that comes from our Mississippi roots.”
“Mississippi has lost a beloved son, and the world has lost an extraordinary talent,” Wicker added. “From Arkabutla to immortality, James Earl Jones, rest in peace. We’ll remember your voice and your heart.”
Jones was born in Mississippi on Jan. 17, 1931, before moving with his family to Michigan as part of the Great Migration. He famously battled a severe stutter as a child but overcame it and eventually turned into one of the most recognizable voices in all of Hollywood.
The stutter motivated Jones to pursue acting after a high school teacher used poetry to help him not only end his periods of silence but speak more clearly. After college and serving in the U.S. Army, Jones began acting in various plays throughout Michigan before making it big on Broadway.
As Jones garnered acclaim on the theatre scene, he was simultaneously beginning his career on TV. The eventual Emmy Award winner got his start on the screen with “East Side/West Side” in the 1960s. By 1974, he had transitioned to film with his first co-star role coming in “Claudine,” a movie that was the first of its kind to address racial disparities Black families in America face. Three years later, in 1977, he made his debut in the iconic voiceover role of Darth Vader.
Jones received two Primetime Emmy Awards in 1991, one for Best Supporting Actor for his work in “Heat Wave” and the other for Best Actor for “Gabriel’s Family.” He also won a Daytime Emmy for the children’s special “Summer’s End” in 2000. Other awards Jones picked up along the way were two Tony Awards, a Grammy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Honorary Award.
Jones died on Sept. 9 inside his Dutchess County, N.Y., home surrounded by his family. No cause of death has been given, but the star did battle with type 2 diabetes for over 30 years.
