Born in Arkabutla, MS; educated at the University of Michigan (drama) and the American Theatre Wing, New York. Distinguished black actor who overcame a stuttering problem by taking acting lessons and gained initial prominence on the New York stage, particularly in The Great White Hope -- a role which earned him an Oscar® nomination when he reprised it for the screen in 1970's THE GREAT WHITE HOPE. Other notable performances include roles in DR. STRANGELOVE... (1964), MALCOLM X (1972), MATEWAN (1987), FIELD OF DREAMS (1989), THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER (1990), PATRIOT GAMES (1992), JEFFERSON IN PARIS and CRY, THE BELOVED COUNTRY (both 1995), LOOKING FOR RICHARD (1996), ON THE Q.T., UNDERCOVER ANGEL and THE ANNIHILATION OF FISH (all 1999), FINDER'S FEE (2001), and THE BETTER MAN (2008). Jones lent his powerful, resonant voice to villain Darth Vader in the first STAR WARS trilogy (1977-1983) and voiced the title role in THE LION KING (1994). Voice-overs continue to provide much of his current work. He is the son of boxer/actor Robert Earl Jones (1904-2006).  Nominated for Actor 1970: THE GREAT WHITE HOPE 1 nomination