James Earl Jones is regarded as one of the greatest actors in American history who has showcased his versatility with performances on both screen and stage. However, he garnered widespread acclaim with his iconic voiceover of Darth Vader in the Star Wars franchise.
Given that voice is one primary feature that is enough to recognize the personality, few people are aware that he faced a debilitating speech condition in his early life. However, he eventually overcame this obstacle, which led to his successful future.
James Earl Jones Reflected on Struggling With Stuttering
The 93-year-old actor has cemented a legendary career with his acting and voice-over career. But, this journey is the fruit of years of struggle that he had to go through especially due to his severe stuttering.
Growing up on a farm with his grandparents since the age of 5, he developed a stutter quite severe that it heavily affected his ability to speak.
Due to that speech condition, he was isolated, causing him to withdraw from social interactions as he revealed that his “mute” school journey continued till he got to high school. He shared in an interview with the Academy of Achievement,
So by the time I got to Michigan I was a stutterer. I couldn’t talk. So my first year of school was my first mute year and then those mute years continued until I got to high school.
For many years, James Earl Jones refused to speak at all, communicating only through writing. The situation continued to deteriorate his social interaction with the world and the prospect of him having a career involving speaking was near to impossible.
However, that scenario eventually changed when his high school teacher approached him and helped him overcome his silence and stutter.
James Earl Jones’s High School Teacher Helped Him Overcome His Problem
During his difficult time, the Star Wars actor eventually encountered his high school English teacher, Donald Crouch, who recognized the actor’s potential. He significantly motivated him to overcome his speech impediment which unlocked doors for Jones’ success.
Crouch introduced the actor to poetry and literature, urging him to read aloud and practice speaking in front of others. This practice not only helped him regain his confidence back but also helped him gain control over his speech.
In a New York Times interview, he reflected on the advice that his teacher gave him, stating,
When I learned how to talk, the best advice my teacher gave me was: Don’t listen to yourself. Don’t listen to the tones you make, because you might be impressed by it. If you start listening to yourself, nobody else will.
This advice might look superficial initially but it carries a lot of wisdom. By shifting Jones’ focus away from his voice, his English teacher removed the unnecessary distraction that could have filled him with anxiety and self-doubt while listening to his voice.
What’s more important it could have also altered his emotions and authentic expression had Jones focused on listening to himself. By not listening to his voice, Jones was entirely immersed in his roles, giving spectacular performances that cemented him as an iconic voice actor.
