Learn About The 50 States
James Earl Jones (1931)close
James Earl Jones was born Todd Jones in 1931 in Arkabutla, Mississppi, but moved to Michigan as a young boy and was raised by his mother's parents. Best known for his incredible voice, he had a stutter as a child, and took acting lessons to help overcome it. Although he has acted in several movies, it is as the voices of Darth Vader in Star Wars and as Mustapha in The Lion King that he may be best recognized.
Click on any of the names below to find out more...
Looking for a famous American?
This page presents short biographies of more than 200 famous Americans drawn from our unit, "The 50 States." These personalities are arranged by theme.
Just click a theme at the top of the page to view a selection list for that theme.
African Americans:
Artists:
Business Leaders:
National "Characters":
| Phineas Taylor "P.T." Barnum | Clyde Barrow | John Wilkes Booth |
| Butch Cassidy | William "Buffalo Bill" Cody | Davy Crockett |
| Jesse James | Evel Knievel | Harland David "Colonel" Sanders |
| Jefferson R. "Soapy" Smith |
Cultural Figures:
Inventors:
Pioneers and "Firsts":
Politicians & Activists:
Scientists:
Sports Figures:
Accomplished Women:
Writers & Poets: