may not adequately summarize its contents. To comply with Wikipedia's lead section guidelines, please consider expanding the lead to provide an accessible overview of the article's key points. (May 2010) James Earl Jones Jones in 2010 Born January 17, 1931 (1931-01-17) (age 80) Arkabutla, Mississippi, United States Occupation Actor Years active 1953–present Spouse Julienne Marie (divorced) Cecilia Hart (1982–present) James Earl Jones (born January 17, 1931) is an American actor of theater and film, well known for his distinctive bass voice and for his portrayal of characters of substance, gravitas and leadership. He is known for providing the voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars franchise and the tagline for CNN..