“That’s when my own trauma set in”: What James Earl Jones Had to Overcome to Become the Greatest Voice Actor is Stuff of Legends
- James Earl Jones had revealed back in 1993 on The Charlie Rose Show that he used to stutter when he was a child.
- The actor also shared how an English teacher in school helped him overcome this hindrance as she recognized his talent for writing poetry and encouraged him to recite his writing in front of the class.
- Leaving behind an iconic legacy spanning decades, Jones passed away on September 9, 2024. The reason behind his death has not been disclosed yet.
It’s always said that the show must go on, no matter what the situation. But what happens when nobody can do justice to the role other than the one who came before them? Certain actors have become synonymous with the iconic roles they undertook. James Earl Jones is one such actor whose voice instantly makes us shudder with fear as our brain conjures the image of the menacing Darth Vader.
Jones also played many other roles in his lifetime, but parts like Darth Vader and Mufasa, where he enticed the audience with just his magnanimous voice, stand out of the rest. Regardless, he is considered one of the best actors in the history of Hollywood.
James Earl Jones Used to Stutter Before Becoming the Greatest Voice Actor
It’s difficult to imagine the great Jedi-turned-Sith Darth Vader had any trouble speaking. Especially with that commanding voice that could take over an entire room, James Earl Jones helped Vader’s character become as intimidating and authoritative as we see today. From the raspy breath to the heavy voice that could silence a room with one word, Jones is credited with making Vader one of the largest pop culture icons of today.
His voice also made The Lion King’s Mufasa seem like a true king. The strength and power with which he delivered each dialogue sent shivers down the audience. However, it never came easy to the exceptionally talented actor. Jones had revealed back in 1993 on The Charlie Rose Show that he used to stutter when he was a child. He said,
When I arrived in Michigan, it’s very complex. … Stuttering is not dissimilar from … I guess medically from petite mild epilepsy. Things trip in the brain so that the speech mechanism trips over itself. But I used to imitate Uncle Randy, Duke we called him, was a stutterer for a while. He also had petite mild epilepsy. I used to imitate him, mock him we used to say, and so in a way, I was cursed for mocking him. Then when my own trauma set in. This was sitting there waiting for me like, ‘You want a place to hide? Yeah, here it is.
The actor also shared how an English teacher in school helped him overcome this hindrance. She recognized his talent for writing poetry so she encouraged Jones to recite his writing in front of the class. Not only did it boost his confidence but also helped him overcome the stammer. The rest, as they say, is history.
James Earl Jones Passes Away at 93
Leaving behind an iconic legacy spanning decades, Jones passed away on September 9, 2024. The reason behind his death has not been disclosed yet. More than his voice roles, it was a delight to see Jones on screen as he brought various diverse roles to life in movies including Field of Dreams, Coming To America, Conan the Barbarian, and The Lion King. his charm and aura on screen were unparalleled.
The industry would fondly remember him for all his contributions to Hollywood and for so many movies beyond legendary. Many actors including Mark Hamill and LeVar Burton took to social media to express their grief and condolences. Outside of his work, the actor has been appreciated for his encouraging attitude, his kindness, and the strength with which he survived every hurdle in life. Jones will be deeply missed.
