James Earl Jones Had Such an Impressive Net Worth, It Could Fill a Galaxy Far, Far Away

James Earl Jones was one of those actors who had so many memorable parts, each could be a favorite depending on who you asked. A lot of folks will probably reference the voice of Darth Vader as the one that speaks to them the most. You'd be hard-pressed to find someone who was not a fan of his theater work, which stretches as far back as the mid-1950s. And of course, who could possibly forget his heartwarming performance in Field of Dreams?

He seamlessly moved between comedy and drama, bringing equal talent to both. His voice was an instrument unlike anything Hollywood would ever see. James died in September 2024, leaving behind a legacy that includes acting in all its mediums as well as a voice that could have launched a thousand ships. Beyond the awards and the respect of his peers, James was able to provide a very comfortable life for himself and his family. Let's take a look at James Earl Jones's net worth.

According to Celebrity Net Worth, James Earl Jones was worth $40 million, which makes sense given how long his career was. The veteran actor got his start on the small stage in his home state of Michigan before making the jump to New York City and Broadway. In 1957 he was an understudy in The Egghead by Molly Kazan but it wouldn't be long before he found himself on the big screen in a wild role.

In 1964, director Stanley Kubrick cast James in Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. Many people didn't realize James Earl Jones was in this weird film that spoofed the Cold War, but it helped James later land a role in The Comedians alongside Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor.

Two years later, James won the Tony for Best Actor in a Play for The Great White Hope. He continued his buffet of a career by making test films for Sesame Street and is often credited as the first celebrity guest on the show, depending on who you ask. His stage star kept rising until James was able to parlay it into his first starring film role in the 1970 adaptation of The Great White Hope. More movie roles came a-callin' until he succumbed to the dark side of the Force in 1977.

Darth Vader put James Earl Jones on the map and brought him into a rich world that continues to this day. After that, you couldn't toss a rock without hitting a fabulous project James was part of. From Coming to America to Conan the Barbarian, back to Roots and The Lion King, James Earl Jones was a Hollywood legend. He was also technically an EGOT winner and Kennedy Center Honors recipient.

Though he reprised his role as the voice of Mufasa for the 2019 CGI version of The Lion King, James announced his retirement three years later. Not only did he secure his legacy as an incredible actor and voice of several generations, but James made sure those after him would always be able to hear him when he gave permission for his voice to be recreated using archival footage. May the force be with him.