The Lives and Work of James Earl Jones and Geoffrey Holder

Two thunderous voices can be seen in the arts during the late 20th century. James Earl Jones is well known for his roles in Hollywood films such as “Dr. Strangelove” and “Star Wars”, and has an even greater presence in the theatre community. His achievements as an actor were inspired by his hardships growing up, for he had a strong stutter until high school. Similarly, Geoffrey Holder suffered from a speech impediment at a young age, but would become a well-known artist. Holder is recognized for many different fields, he is an actor, dancer, choreographer, painter, and more. James Earl Jones and Geoffrey Holder overcame similar issues with speech, and built personalities around their professions, which were shown in all of their great works. Now they are known for their beautiful accomplishments, as well as their powerful voices.

James Earl Jones’s early life was difficult, and he was a part of the Great Migration. He was born in Arkabutla, Mississippi in 1931. Jones was raised by his maternal grandparents, for his father had left his mother when Jones was very young. She too left him at a young age, but visited from time to time. “I rejoiced in her visits, yet her impending departure brought me to grief” (Jones 18). Jones’s grief was routed in a feeling of abandonment. His did not see his father for many years, and his mother’s visits were infrequent, but his grandparents were very loving, and he would respect them as his parents (Jones 21). His attachment to his grandparents profoundly affected his life when he was nearly abandoned again. At age 5, his grandparents decided to move north to Michigan, and on the way they stopped by Memphis, Tennessee where they attempted to leave Jones with his paternal grandmother. ...

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