JAMES EARL JONES - BROADWAY STAR JONES DIES

BROADWAY STAR JONES DIES

Broadway veteran ROBERT EARL JONES has died at the age of 96. The actor, who's son JAMES EARL JONES found fame voicing DARTH VADER in the STAR WARS movies, passed away at the Lillian Booth Actors' Home in New Jersey earlier this month (07SEP06). Jones starred as boxing champion JOE LOUIS in SPIRIT OF YOUTH among other films and Broadway productions. However, his career was briefly interrupted in the 1950s when he was blacklisted for refusing to testify before the House Of Un-American Activities Committee. He later had roles in ODDS AGAINST TOMORROW, WILD RIVER, THE STING and WITNESS, as well as a string of stage parts alongside his son. He is survived by James Earl Jones, another son MATTHEW EARL JONES and a grandson.