James Earl Jones film credits include "The Hunt for Red October" and "Patriot Games" but remains best known as the voice of Darth Vader in "Star Wars". Jones said that his talent went unrecognised from an early age as he didn't talk between the ages of five and 15 and he stuttered badly.
Stephen Sackur was told that director George Lucas had Orson Wells in mind for the role of Darth Vader originally but it was thought his voice would be too easily recognisable, so he "picked a guy who was born in Mississippi and stutters" an affliction that paid off for Jones.
Jones was raised in rural Mississippi by his grandmother and claims he is able to understand racists and what they are going through as she was "the most racist" person he has ever known. This upbringing has helped Jones face many racist attitudes throughout his life.
You can catch Jones at the Wyndhams Theatre in London up until the 17th of December.
Article by Michelle
Image via Stuart Crawford at Wikipedia.
