Oscar nominated and Emmy winning American actor of film and stage James Earl Jones was cast as the voice of "Darth Vader" in the Star Wars movies, although the role itself is uncredited.

After being adopted by his Grandparents at the age of five, Jones developed a severe stuttering problem. So severe, he refused to speak for eight years. In high school, a teacher taught him to write poetry and forced him to speak publicly.

Jones first took an interest in acting while he was working as a stage hand while waiting to go on active duty for the U.S. Army. He quickly became the stage manager at the local theater, and his first large performance was Othello in 1955.

• Note: The majority of the links in this timeline are to IMDb, which has pop-ups.

• 17 January 1931: Born

• 1964: Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

• 1969: Best Leading Actor in a Play Tony Award

• 1970: The Great White Hope

• 1974: King Lear

• 1977: Star Wars

• 1980: Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

• 1983: Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi

• 1987: Best Leading Actor in a Play Tony Award

• 1988: Coming to America

• 1989: Field of Dreams

• 1990: The Hunt for Red October

• 1991: Outstanding Lead Actor - Drama Series Emmy Award

• 1991: Outstanding Supporting Actor - Miniseries or a Movie Emmy Award

• 1992: Patriot Games

• 1993: The Sandlot

• 2005: The Sandlot II

• 2005: Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith