American actor, James Earl Jones had a complicated relationship with his mother, Ruth Connolly Jones, due to her absence during his formative years, which led his grandparents to raise him.
However, some sources claim that James drew deep influence from his mother, who supported him in becoming one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors.
James showcased his versatility as an actor with notable roles in Claudine, as the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in The Lion King.
James overcame these difficulties despite a challenging childhood and built a successful acting career.
Tragically, the star actor passed away on September 10, 2024, at the age of 93. The legendary voice actor is survived by his only child, Flynn Earl Jones whom he had with his ex-wife, Cecilia Hart.
James Earl Jones’s Mother Left Him To His Maternal Grandparents When He Was Five
Born on January 17, 1931, to Robert Jones and Ruth Connolly Jones in Arkabutla, Mississippi, James had a troubled childhood.
After James’s father left his family shortly after his birth, his mother faced the challenge of raising a child alone.
The Oscar-winning actor’s mother, Ruth, was a teacher and maid whose modest earnings were insufficient to support her family.
Due to financial problems, Ruth had to spend time away from her son, who eventually went to live with his maternal grandparents.
Living away from his mother at such a young age affected James, which led him to develop a stutter.
However, the actor managed to overcome his stutter through poetry and acting, which helped him express himself.
Although there is not much information, a Twitter account recently shared a rare photo of the mother and son from 1932, when Jones was still a baby.
James Earl Jones as a baby, with his mother, Ruth Connolly Jones. ~ 1932.
— Loni Love (@LoniLove) September 10, 2024
Thank you Ms. Jones for giving us The Voice… rest now King Jones!!! #rip pic.twitter.com/n1ZEgaOgBH
Despite his separation from his mother, Jones drew significant influence from her, who instilled a strong work ethic and values in him.
However, the Grammy-winning artist has never publicly specified his relationship with his mother.
Regarding the matter, some fans even claim that he had a strained relationship with his mother as she was largely absent during his upbringing.
While we cannot be certain, their history clearly shows they had a complex relationship. Meanwhile, we offer our condolence to Flynn, Lorena, and James’ extended family.
Additional Information
- James Earl Jones was one of the few actors who received the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony).
- James is of mixed African-American, Irish and Native American ethnic backgrounds.
- The actor was even inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1985.
