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Sunday, February 28, 2010

JAMES EARL JONES


James Earl Jones, a giant among men!

Over the years I have admired the work of a number of white male actors, especially John Travolta, but this is not about those guys, this is about the two black men whom I revere in their professional lives as actors. One is Sidney Poitier and the other is James Earl Jones. I have a special bond with these men because they are both black, as am I, and we are all about the same age, meaning that we grew up through very difficult civil rights times, and therefore their successes are just that much more meaningful to me.

Sidney Poitier came from a small island in The Bahamas and arrived in America in the thick of oppressive segregation and discrimination. However, he had a dream and through hard work, dogged determination and good luck, and a lot of very good white and black friends, he arrived at the top of his profession with his dignity intact.

Today, I want to think and write about a man who is an absolute giant among men in many ways, James Earl Jones. There are a lot of people born with natural talent. Among them there will always be one or two who stand head and shoulders above the rest. Considering the long shadow that JEJ casts over the entertainment industry it is no real surprise that his life began so modestly.

James Earl Jones was born on January 17th, 1931 in Arkabulta, Mississipi to Ruth (Connolly) Jones, who was a teacher and a maid; and to Robert Earl Jones, an actor, boxer, butler, and chauffeur. He died in 2006. To have been born a black baby in Mississipi in 1931 is to say that he was born into hell in the midst of extreme ignorance.

The first extraordinary thing to know is that the man who would come to posses the most famous voice in the world was effectively mute for eight years of his school life because he stuttered and the children made fun of him. So, he refused to speak outside his home.

Gradually he was coaxed to come out of his shell and he dealt with his speech impairment so that he could realise his dream to follow his father onto the stage. His life must have been a great struggle as society was not on his side. His list of accomplishments, too long to recount in exact detail, is testimony to his strength of character and indomitable spirit.

His film credits in part are:
Roots- played Alex Haley
Conan the Barbarian
Field of Dreams
The Sandlot
Coming to America
Cry, the Beloved Country
The Hunt for Red October
Patriot Games
Clear and Present Danger

Some of his voice-overs:
The Lion King, I and II
Pinocchio and The Emperor of the Night
Several guest spots on The Simpsons
The most awesome three words “This, is CNN!”

Some of his live performances on stage where I can imagine the buildings must have been shaken were:

King Lear
Hamlet
Othello
A MidSummer’s Night’s Dream
Great White Hope.
Measure for Measure
Big Daddy in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

He has a total of 117 screen credits, and along the way his list of awards and nominations is amazing. He has:
Nine Emmy awards or nominations.
Five Golden Globe awards or nominations.
One Independent Spirit nomination.
Two Screen Actors Guild awards or nominations.
Three Tony awards or nominations.
One Commonwealth award.
One Academy Award nomination.

However, James Earl Jones has never been awarded the Oscar, which, in my view discredits the Academy Awards.

More important than all the awards or nominations that he has gathered is the fact that his successes, being as they were so public were inspiring to a person like myself. During most of my years I was being told over and over again that I was a nobody and was incapable of doing anything of significance. Under such circumstances it is very difficult to keep faith in one’s self and to press on regardless. James Earl Jones was always there for me with the message “Yes, We Can.” Added to that a former First Lady said that no-one could make me feel inferior without my permission.

Then came Obama to underscore what we had always believed; but it took people like James Earl Jones to set the stage.

Our journey has been long and troubling. We have lived our three score and ten years and now we are in the coasting stage of our lives. I just thought it was time to say these things about the man when he can still appreciate and smell the roses. It does seem fitting for President Ronald Regan to have chosen James Earl Jone’s birthday as Martin Luther King, Jr Day.

Now, without great fanfare or applause, I say “Thank you James, for holding my hand and being my guide throughout some very difficult times. You’re my Hero!” Long may you live and continue to enjoy the fruits of your labours in good health.”

Copyright © 2010 Eugene Carmichael