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Happy Birthday, James Earl Jones! See His Most Iconic Movie Roles

Happy Birthday, James Earl Jones! See His Most Iconic Movie Roles

Today is the 'Star Wars' and 'The Lion King' star's 93rd birthday.

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Image for article titled Happy Birthday, James Earl Jones! See His Most Iconic Movie Roles
Photo: Jim Spellman / Contributor (Getty Images)

Today is James Earl Jones’ 93rd birthday! The legendary actor has starred in some of our favorite films going back to the 1960s. From being the original voice of Darth Vader in “Star Wars” to King Jaffe Joffer in “Coming to America,” Jones has shown a never-ending range of talent. Here’s just a peek into some of the most iconic movie roles of his expansive career!

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‘Coming to America’ (1988)

‘Coming to America’ (1988)

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We see this character revived every year on Halloween. James Earl Jones is King Jaffe Joffer in “Coming to America.”

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‘Lion King’ (1994)

‘Lion King’ (1994)

The Lion King 3D - ‘Morning Lesson With Mufasa’- Official Disney Movie Clip

James Earl Jones also voiced the venerable Mufasa in “The Lion King.”

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‘Clear and Present Danger’ (1994)

‘Clear and Present Danger’ (1994)

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In “Clear and Present Danger,” James Earl Jones played Admiral Greer opposite Harrison Ford and Willem Dafoe.

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‘Star Wars’

‘Star Wars’

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Many ‘Star Wars’ fans already know this but James Earl Jones is the original voice of one of the most popular sci-fi characters in history, Darth Vader. His voice first appeared in the 1977 film “A New Hope.” He has continued to contribute to the series over the years.

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6 / 17

‘Field of Dreams’ (1989)

‘Field of Dreams’ (1989)

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Jones starred alongside Kevin Costner and Ray Liotta in “Field of Dreams.”

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7 / 17

Conan the Barbarian (1982)

Conan the Barbarian (1982)

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Jones’ character Thulsa Doom died at the hands of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character Conan in “Conan the Barbarian” in 1982.

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8 / 17

‘Dr. Strangelove’ (1964)

‘Dr. Strangelove’ (1964)

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One of Jones’ earliest films was “Dr. Strangelove” as Lt. Lothar Zogg.

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‘Sneakers’ (1992)

‘Sneakers’ (1992)

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Jones had a minor role in the 1992 film “Sneakers” as Mr. Bernard Abbott.

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10 / 17

‘The Hunt for Red October’ (1990)

‘The Hunt for Red October’ (1990)

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Jones was Admiral Greer in “The Hunt for Red October.”

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11 / 17

‘Gang Related’ (1997)

‘Gang Related’ (1997)

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James Earl Jones starred alongside Tupac Shakur in the 1997 film “Gang Related.”

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12 / 17

‘Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins’ (2008)

‘Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins’ (2008)

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Jones joined the star-studded cast of the 2008 movie “Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins” as Papa Jenkins.

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13 / 17

‘The Meteor Man’ (1993)

‘The Meteor Man’ (1993)

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The character Earnest Moses is played by James Earl Jones for Robert Townsend’s “The Meteor Man.”

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14 / 17

‘Exorcist II: The Heretic’ (1977)

‘Exorcist II: The Heretic’ (1977)

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Jones plays Older Kokumo in the “Exorcist II: The Heretic.”

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15 / 17

‘The Cay’ (1974)

‘The Cay’ (1974)

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Jones is a man named Timothy in “The Cay”, who saves a young white boy on a deserted island.

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‘A Piece of the Action’ (1977)

‘A Piece of the Action’ (1977)

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Jones played the character Joshua Burke in the 1977 film “A Piece of the Action” starring Sidney Poitier, Bill Cosby, and Sheryl Lee Ralph.

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