James Earl Jones

Best known as a Supporting Actor based on credits in that role in 39 films, with $5,335,457,113 worldwide aggregate box office (rank #126)
Best-known acting roles: Mufasa (The Lion King), Darth Vader (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), Darth Vader (Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker), Mufasa (The Lion King), Narrator of Michael's Past (Click)
Most productive collaborators: Jon Favreau, Donald Glover, Beyoncé Knowles, Jeff Nathanson, Brenda Chapman
Born: January 17, 1931 (93 years old)
                                    

  1. Summary
  2. News
  3. Acting Credits
  4. Technical Credits

Career Summary


  MoviesDomestic
Box Office
International
Box Office
Worldwide
Box Office
As an ActorSupporting39$2,953,760,351$2,381,696,762$5,335,457,113
Cameo7$839,141,239$745,894,911$1,585,036,150
Leading4$98,537,139$84,772,761$183,309,900
Lead Ensemble Member1$543,638,043$1,102,468,736$1,646,106,779
Narrator1$34,687,912$78,800,000$113,487,912
(Unclassified)4$19,046$0$19,046

Career Trend

This graph shows James Earl Jones’s score on our annual analysis of leading stars at the box office. The Star Score represents points assigned to each of the leading stars of the top 100 movies (based on box office) in the current year and two preceding years. For appearing in the number one movie in a year a star gets 100 points, the number two movie 99 points and so on..

Latest Ranking on Selected Box Office Record Lists


Featured Blu-ray and DVD Review: The Lion King

October 20th, 2019

The Lion King

The Lion King is one of the biggest hits of the year and one of only two films to top $1 billion internationally. It is also a remake of the 1994 animated classic of the same name and is widely considered part of the “Live-Action Disney remake” trend, although it is not live-action, but a photo-realistic, digitally-animated film. Is this enough to set it apart from the original? Or was photo-realism a mistake? More...

The Lion King Trailer 2

April 10th, 2019

Adventure with the voices of Donald Glover, Beyoncé, and James Earl Jones opens July 19 ... Full Movie Details. More...

The Lion King Trailer

November 23rd, 2018

Adventure with the voices of Donald Glover, Beyoncé, and James Earl Jones opens July 19, 2019 ... Full Movie Details. More...

Weekend Predictions: Will Rogue Awaken the Box Office?

December 15th, 2016

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

It is a deceptively busy weekend, as there are two wide releases, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Collateral Beauty, and two films that are “expanding wide”, Manchester by the Sea and La La Land. However, while that looks like a lot, in reality Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is the only film most people are talking about. In fact, it is going to dominate the box office to such a degree that its only real competition is The Force Awakens, which opened this weekend last year. Unfortunately for Rogue One, there’s almost no chance it will match The Force Awakens. In fact, there’s almost no chance the entire box office will match the $247.97 million The Force Awakens opened with. 2016 is going to get crushed in the year-over-year comparison. That said, 2016 has a nearly $460 million lead over 2015, so has long as Rogue One tops $100 million over the weekend, it should be enough to keep 2016 ahead in terms of raw box office numbers. More...

Featured Blu-ray Review - The Jack Ryan Collection

December 2nd, 2013

The Jack Ryan franchise is a strange one. There have been four films so far, with a fifth on the way, and during that time, four different actors will have played the titular role. Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit hits theaters in mid-January, so it is a perfect time to release the four earlier movies on a Blu-ray box set. (Or to be more accurate, re-release the 2008 Blu-rays in one box set.) How many of these earlier films are worth checking out? And is the box set good value? More...

Featured Blu-ray: The Sandlot: 20th Anniversary Edition

March 25th, 2013

The Sandlot opened in 1993 and only earned good reviews, but not great reviews, and went on to become a midlevel hit, but no more. On the other hand, it became a bit of a cult classic on the home market. Does its appeal depend on nostalgia? Or is it a good film in its own regard? More...

All Acting Credits



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Release
Date
TitleRoleDomestic
Box Office
International
Box Office
Worldwide
Box Office
Mar 5, 2021Coming 2 America Jaffe Joffer
Sep 18, 2020Foster Boy $19,046$19,046
Dec 20, 2019Star Wars: The Rise of… Darth Vader $515,202,542$557,565,455$1,072,767,997
Jul 19, 2019The Lion King Mufasa $543,638,043$1,102,468,736$1,646,106,779
Dec 16, 2016Rogue One: A Star Wars… Darth Vader $533,539,991$521,543,605$1,055,083,596
May 23, 2014The Angriest Man in Br… Ruben $127,167$127,167
Jan 24, 2014Gimme Shelter Frank McCarthy $1,359,910$1,359,910
Apr 22, 2009Earth Narrator (US Vers… $32,011,576$84,761,741$116,773,317
Feb 8, 2008Welcome Home Roscoe Je… Papa Jenkins $42,436,517$1,171,110$43,607,627
Jun 23, 2006Click Narrator of Micha… $137,355,633$100,329,456$237,685,089
Apr 14, 2006Scary Movie 4 Himself $90,710,620$88,000,000$178,710,620
Apr 7, 2006The Benchwarmers Darth Vader $59,843,754$5,219,972$65,063,726
Nov 2, 2001The Annihilation of Fish Fish $18,335$18,335
Dec 31, 1999Fantasia 2000 Host - Carnival o… $60,507,228$11,020$60,518,248
Mar 20, 1998Primary Colors CNN Voiceover (vo… $39,017,984$39,017,984
UnknownThe Second Civil War Jim Kalla
Oct 8, 1997Gang Related Arthur Baylor $5,906,773$5,906,773
Mar 7, 1997Good Luck James Bing (uncre… $39,962$39,962
Oct 11, 1996Looking for Richard Himself $1,266,417$1,266,417
Mar 29, 1996A Family Thing Ray Murdock $9,993,012$9,993,012
Dec 15, 1995Cry, The Beloved Country Rev. Stephen Kumalo $676,525$676,525
Jun 30, 1995Judge Dredd Narrator (uncredi… $34,687,912$78,800,000$113,487,912
Mar 31, 1995Jefferson in Paris Madison Hemings $2,461,628$2,461,628
Aug 3, 1994Clear and Present Danger Admiral James Greer $122,012,656$85,487,344$207,500,000
Jun 15, 1994The Lion King Mufasa $421,785,283$564,408,500$986,193,783
May 6, 1994Clean Slate Dolby $7,352,116$7,352,116
Mar 18, 1994Naked Gun 33 1/3: The … Himself (uncredited) $51,041,856$51,041,856
Aug 6, 1993The Meteor Man Mr. Moses $8,015,592$8,015,592
May 14, 1993Excessive Force Jake $1,152,117$1,152,117
Apr 7, 1993The Sandlot Mr. Mertle $32,416,586$32,416,586
Feb 5, 1993Sommersby Judge Isaacs $50,081,992$90,000,000$140,081,992
Sep 9, 1992Sneakers Bernard Abbott $51,433,000$51,433,000
Aug 28, 1992Freddie as F.R.O.7 Narrator (US vers… $1,119,368$1,119,368
Jun 5, 1992Patriot Games Admiral Greer $83,287,363$94,812,637$178,100,000
Aug 23, 1991True Identity Himself $4,693,236$4,693,236
Mar 21, 1990The Ambulance
Mar 2, 1990The Hunt for Red October Admiral James Greer $120,709,866$79,790,134$200,500,000
1990Convicts Ben Johnson $13,000$13,000
Nov 10, 1989Best of the Best Coach Couzo $1,700,000$1,700,000
Apr 21, 1989Field of Dreams Terence Mann $64,431,625$64,431,625
Jan 27, 1989Three Fugitives Dugan $40,590,000$40,590,000
Jun 29, 1988Coming to America King Jaffe Joffer $128,152,301$160,647,699$288,800,000
Nov 20, 1987Pinocchio and the Empe… The Emperor of th… $3,261,638$3,261,638
Aug 28, 1987Matewan Few Clothes Johnson $1,680,358$1,680,358
May 8, 1987Gardens of Stone Goody Nelson $5,262,047$5,262,047
Jan 30, 1987Allan Quatermain and t… Umslopogaas $3,751,699$3,751,699
Oct 24, 1986Soul Man Professor Banks $27,316,198$27,316,198
Sep 3, 1985City Limits Albert
May 25, 1983Star Wars Ep. VI: Retu… Voice of Darth Vader $316,465,003$165,900,281$482,365,284
May 14, 1982Conan the Barbarian Thulsa Doom $38,264,085$40,850,000$79,114,085
May 21, 1980Star Wars Ep. V: The E… Voice of Darth Vader $291,738,960$257,262,126$549,001,086
May 25, 1977Star Wars Ep. IV: A Ne… Voice of Darth Vader $460,998,007$314,400,000$775,398,007
1974Claudine Roop $6,000,000$6,000,000
Mar 24, 1970King: A Filmed Record.…
Oct 31, 1967The Comedians Dr. Magiot $5,200,000$5,200,000
Jan 29, 1964Dr. Strangelove Lieutenant Lothar… $9,164,370$76,187$9,240,557
 
Averages $89,395,675$199,710,599$173,792,488
Totals 56 $4,469,783,730$4,393,633,170$8,863,416,900


Leading or Lead Ensemble Roles


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Release
Date
TitleOpening
Weekend
Maximum
Theaters
Domestic
Box Office
Worldwide
Box Office
Domestic
Share
Jul 19, 2019The Lion King $191,770,7594,802$543,638,043$1,646,106,77933.0%
Apr 22, 2009Earth $8,825,7601,804$32,011,576$116,773,31727.4%
Nov 2, 2001The Annihilation of Fish $1,1531$18,335$18,335100.0%
Dec 31, 1999Fantasia 2000 $2,290,5251,313$60,507,228$60,518,248100.0%
1974Claudine $6,000,000$6,000,000100.0%
 
Averages $50,722,0491,980$128,435,036$365,883,33672.1%
Totals 5 $642,175,182$1,829,416,679


Supporting Roles


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Release
Date
TitleOpening
Weekend
Maximum
Theaters
Domestic
Box Office
Worldwide
Box Office
Domestic
Share
Mar 5, 2021Coming 2 America
Dec 16, 2016Rogue One: A Star Wars… $155,081,6814,157$533,539,991$1,055,083,59650.6%
May 23, 2014The Angriest Man in Br… $127,167
Jan 24, 2014Gimme Shelter $689,070385$1,359,910$1,359,910100.0%
Feb 8, 2008Welcome Home Roscoe Je… $16,207,7302,387$42,436,517$43,607,62797.3%
Apr 7, 2006The Benchwarmers $19,656,4293,282$59,843,754$65,063,72692.0%
Oct 8, 1997Gang Related $2,443,2371,260$5,906,773$5,906,773100.0%
Mar 7, 1997Good Luck $39,962106$39,962$39,962100.0%
Oct 11, 1996Looking for Richard 75$1,266,417$1,266,417100.0%
Mar 29, 1996A Family Thing $3,020,6621,134$9,993,012$9,993,012100.0%
Dec 15, 1995Cry, The Beloved Country $9,84943$676,525$676,525100.0%
Mar 31, 1995Jefferson in Paris $61,349351$2,461,628$2,461,628100.0%
Aug 3, 1994Clear and Present Danger $20,348,0172,433$122,012,656$207,500,00058.8%
Jun 15, 1994The Lion King $1,586,7532,624$421,785,283$986,193,78342.8%
May 6, 1994Clean Slate $3,136,1301,474$7,352,116$7,352,116100.0%
Aug 6, 1993The Meteor Man $2,643,0911,060$8,015,592$8,015,592100.0%
May 14, 1993Excessive Force $1,152,117$1,152,117100.0%
Apr 7, 1993The Sandlot $4,918,7121,775$32,416,586$32,416,586100.0%
Feb 5, 1993Sommersby $8,104,6241,762$50,081,992$140,081,99235.8%
Sep 9, 1992Sneakers $10,031,1452,062$51,433,000$51,433,000100.0%
Jun 5, 1992Patriot Games $18,511,1912,396$83,287,363$178,100,00046.8%
Mar 2, 1990The Hunt for Red October $17,161,8351,817$120,709,866$200,500,00060.2%
1990Convicts $13,000$13,000100.0%
Nov 10, 1989Best of the Best $990,000600$1,700,000$1,700,000100.0%
Apr 21, 1989Field of Dreams $531,3461,100$64,431,625$64,431,625100.0%
Jan 27, 1989Three Fugitives $6,434,7171,374$40,590,000$40,590,000100.0%
Jun 29, 1988Coming to America $21,404,4202,064$128,152,301$288,800,00044.4%
Nov 20, 1987Pinocchio and the Empe… 1,182$3,261,638$3,261,638100.0%
Aug 28, 1987Matewan $1,680,358$1,680,358100.0%
May 8, 1987Gardens of Stone $1,645,588612$5,262,047$5,262,047100.0%
Jan 30, 1987Allan Quatermain and t… $1,960,3521,000$3,751,699$3,751,699100.0%
Oct 24, 1986Soul Man $4,422,1791,320$27,316,198$27,316,198100.0%
Sep 3, 1985City Limits
May 25, 1983Star Wars Ep. VI: Retu… $23,019,6182,111$316,465,003$482,365,28465.6%
May 14, 1982Conan the Barbarian $9,479,3731,497$38,264,085$79,114,08548.4%
May 21, 1980Star Wars Ep. V: The E… $4,910,4832,322$291,738,960$549,001,08653.1%
May 25, 1977Star Wars Ep. IV: A Ne… $1,554,4752,375$460,998,007$775,398,00759.5%
Oct 31, 1967The Comedians $5,200,000$5,200,000100.0%
Jan 29, 1964Dr. Strangelove $9,164,370$9,240,55799.2%
 
Averages $12,413,9321,553$82,048,899$144,201,54484.8%
Totals 39 $2,953,760,351$5,335,457,113

Latest Ranking on All Acting Box Office Record Lists


RecordRankAmount
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 301-400) 369 $642,175,182
Top 100 Stars in Supporting Roles at the Domestic Box Office 33 $2,953,760,351
Top Live Action Stars at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 1,001-1,100) 1,010 $932,653,278
Top Above the Line Stars at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 201-300) 282 $1,434,926,108
Top Below the Line Stars at the Domestic Box Office 26 $2,374,766,991
Top Stars in Cameo Roles at the Domestic Box Office 11 $839,141,239
Top Stars at the Domestic Box Office 35 $4,469,783,730
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the International Box Office (Rank 201-300) 243 $1,187,241,497
Top 100 Stars in Supporting Roles at the International Box Office (Rank 201-300) 250 $2,381,696,762
Top Live Action Stars at the International Box Office (Rank 3,301-3,400) 3,393 $552,973,298
Top Above the Line Stars at the International Box Office (Rank 201-300) 288 $2,007,963,103
Top Below the Line Stars at the International Box Office (Rank 101-200) 167 $1,980,557,760
Top Stars in Cameo Roles at the International Box Office 18 $745,894,911
Top Stars at the International Box Office (Rank 101-200) 152 $4,393,633,170
Top 100 Stars in Leading Roles at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 201-300) 290 $1,829,416,679
Top 100 Stars in Supporting Roles at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 101-200) 126 $5,335,457,113
Top Live Action Stars at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 1,701-1,800) 1,744 $1,485,626,576
Top Above the Line Stars at the Wordwide Box Office (Rank 201-300) 285 $3,442,889,211
Top Below the Line Stars at the Worldwide Box Office 65 $4,355,324,751
Top Stars in Cameo Roles at the Worldwide Box Office 16 $1,585,036,150
Top Stars at the Worldwide Box Office 79 $8,863,416,900
Highest Grossing Stars of 1999 at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 101-200) 190 61
Highest Grossing Stars of 2000 at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 101-200) 192 61
Highest Grossing Stars of 2001 at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 101-200) 195 61
Highest Grossing Stars of 2000 at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 201-300) 249 47
Highest Grossing Stars of 2001 at the Worldwide Box Office (Rank 201-300) 249 47
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Original Screenplay Movies (Rank 2,801-2,900) 2,826 $6,000,000
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Based on Fiction Book/Short Story Movies (Rank 2,001-2,100) 2,083 $18,335
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Based on TV Movies (Rank 301-400) 324 $32,011,576
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Remake Movies 12 $543,638,043
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Compilation Movies 4 $60,507,228
Top International Leading Stars for Based on TV Movies (Rank 101-200) 195 $84,761,741
Top International Leading Stars for Remake Movies 11 $1,102,468,736
Top International Leading Stars for Compilation Movies 40 $11,020
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Original Screenplay Movies (Rank 3,601-3,700) 3,674 $6,000,000
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Based on Fiction Book/Short Story Movies (Rank 2,301-2,400) 2,399 $18,335
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Based on TV Movies (Rank 201-300) 229 $116,773,317
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Remake Movies 11 $1,646,106,779
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Compilation Movies 4 $60,518,248
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Live Action Movies (Rank 2,201-2,300) 2,222 $38,029,911
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Animation/Live Action Movies 87 $543,638,043
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Hand Animation Movies 73 $60,507,228
Top International Leading Stars for Live Action Movies (Rank 1,301-1,400) 1,355 $84,761,741
Top International Leading Stars for Animation/Live Action Movies 72 $1,102,468,736
Top International Leading Stars for Hand Animation Movies (Rank 101-200) 172 $11,020
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Live Action Movies (Rank 1,601-1,700) 1,619 $122,791,652
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Animation/Live Action Movies 75 $1,646,106,779
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Hand Animation Movies 95 $60,518,248
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 2,601-2,700) 2,666 $6,018,335
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Kids Fiction Movies 58 $543,638,043
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Fantasy Movies (Rank 201-300) 272 $60,507,228
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Factual Movies 11 $32,011,576
Top International Leading Stars for Kids Fiction Movies 32 $1,102,468,736
Top International Leading Stars for Fantasy Movies (Rank 901-1,000) 919 $11,020
Top International Leading Stars for Factual Movies 4 $84,761,741
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 3,401-3,500) 3,437 $6,018,335
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Kids Fiction Movies 41 $1,646,106,779
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Fantasy Movies (Rank 401-500) 500 $60,518,248
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Factual Movies 7 $116,773,317
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Adventure Movies (Rank 101-200) 115 $543,638,043
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Drama Movies (Rank 1,201-1,300) 1,271 $6,018,335
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Musical Movies (Rank 101-200) 116 $60,507,228
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Documentary Movies 5 $32,011,576
Top International Leading Stars for Adventure Movies 71 $1,102,468,736
Top International Leading Stars for Musical Movies (Rank 201-300) 297 $11,020
Top International Leading Stars for Documentary Movies 2 $84,761,741
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Adventure Movies 89 $1,646,106,779
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Drama Movies (Rank 1,801-1,900) 1,856 $6,018,335
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Musical Movies (Rank 101-200) 148 $60,518,248
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Documentary Movies 2 $116,773,317
Top Domestic Leading Stars for R Movies (Rank 3,601-3,700) 3,696 $18,335
Top Domestic Leading Stars for PG Movies 87 $549,638,043
Top Domestic Leading Stars for G Movies (Rank 101-200) 112 $92,518,804
Top International Leading Stars for PG Movies 51 $1,102,468,736
Top International Leading Stars for G Movies (Rank 101-200) 127 $84,772,761
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for R Movies (Rank 4,101-4,200) 4,102 $18,335
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for PG Movies 62 $1,652,106,779
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for G Movies (Rank 101-200) 111 $177,291,565
Top Domestic Leading Stars for Walt Disney Movies 82 $636,156,847
Top Domestic Leading Stars for 20th Century Fox Movies (Rank 701-800) 794 $6,000,000
Top International Leading Stars for Walt Disney Movies 59 $1,187,241,497
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for Walt Disney Movies 69 $1,823,398,344
Top Worldwide Leading Stars for 20th Century Fox Movies (Rank 801-900) 806 $6,000,000

All Technical Credits