there are very few voices in the world that are instantly recognizable the world lost one this week this is a special edition of all request history the biography of James Earl Jones few voices have left as deep an impact on popular culture as that of James Earl Jones a legendary actor with a career spanning over six decades Jones is known for his commanding presence profound voice and remarkable range as an actor this is the story of a man who overcame great challenges to become one of the most revered actors of all time James Earl Jones was born on January 17th 1931 in Arab butla Mississippi raised primarily by his grandparents he faced a very difficult childhood not many people know one of the world's most famous voices almost never even spoke his father actor Robert Earl Jones left the family before James was born and Grandma and Granddad never knew why but young James developed a severe stutter making communication a daily struggle the family moved to Michigan when James was only 5 years old his grandma recalled that he became nearly mute rarely speaking at all due to his stutter it was during this challenging time that his teacher Donald Crouch encouraged him to recite poetry to help him regain his voice it was this incredible relationship that led Jones into the entertainment industry and gave the world one of the most recognizable and distinctive voices ever heard here's Jones's reflection of crouch in his own words Donald Crouch was was a college professor who had retired to his farm he dropped his plow and came back to teach at the year I I first started school and he got me to to have the courage to read my own poetry cuz I I didn't talk you know by the shows of Gigi by the shiny big sea waterer stood The Wigwam of Nom and I wrote an Ode to grapefruit Donald Crouch said to prove you wrote it get up in front of the class and recite It Out Loud by heart to prove you wrot it and I did it and I I could speak and he said okay anyway Jones took Crouch's advice to heart and began to develop his speaking skills through poetry and public speaking this practice not only helped him overcome his stutter but also unveiled a natural gift for performance after briefly considering a career in medicine Jones found his true calling in the Arts and enrolled in the University of Michigan's School of Music theater and dance his formal training in theater set him on a path to become one of the most respected actors in the world Jones would go on to make his Broadway debut in 1957 in Sunrise at Campa belloo here's a fun fact direct from his friend Sydney port his first Broadway line which was Mrs Roosevelt dinner is served in 1969 James Earl Jones delivered a breakthrough performance in the Great White Hope for which he earned a Tony Award for best actor his portrayal of boxer Jack Jefferson marked the beginning of his rise to stardom a year later Jones received an Academy Award nomination for the film based on the play but it was in 1977 that Jones's voice would become legendary as the voice of Darth Vader in Star wars's deep resonant tone brought the iconic villain to life while Jones was not physically seen on the role as we all know his voice did become synonymous with the character creating an unforgettable presence to this day I am the father Beyond his film career James Earl Jones had been a pillar in the theater Community with numerous Broadway and Off Broadway performances when winning multiple Tony Awards throughout his career in his personal life Jones married twice he married his second wife actress Celia Hart in 1982 and together they had one son actor Flynn Earl Jones over the years Jones has received numerous accolades too many to even list emys gramys Golden Globes Tony and SAG Awards surprisingly however he' never won an Oscar but the academy did present him with a Lifetime Achievement Award in [Music] 2011 the one award that Jones was most proud of came in 2002 when he was presented with the prestigious medal at Kennedy Center Honors James Earl Jones died Monday September 9th surrounded by his family in his home in Pauling New York at the age of 93 James Earl Jones voice is not just a remarkable feature of his acting it's a symbol of his power and perseverance from a boy who barely spoke due to his stutter to becoming one of the most recognizable voices in the world his journey is truly one of inspiration James Earl Jones has not only shaped the history of Cinema but it also has shown that with determination and dedication you can transform your greatest challenges into your greatest strengths you can do it all request history being a huge van of voiceovers we say thank you James Earl Jones for your voice your talent and your enduring Legacy [Music]