James Earl Jones Overcame Racist Upbringing to Find Love with White Woman — The Full Story

James Earl Jones faced a lot of racism when he was younger, both from his family and his in-laws. Despite these challenges, he found true love with Cecilia Hart and married her.

James Earl Jones is well-known for his impressive acting career in Hollywood. He became famous for his deep, memorable voice, which brought iconic characters like Mufasa from *The Lion King* and Darth Vader from *Star Wars* to life.

Even though James Earl Jones is a famous actor and seemed to have a peaceful life, he faced many challenges. Some of these difficulties were from his childhood, and others came during his marriage to his late wife, Cecilia Hart. Here’s a look at some of the tough times he overcame.

Who Was James Earl Jones?

James Earl Jones, who became famous for his roles like King Jaffe Joffer in “Coming to America,” had a difficult start in life. He was the son of Robert Earl Jones and Ruth Connolly. Unfortunately, his father, who was also an actor, didn’t want him when he was born.

James, who had Choctaw, Cherokee, and Irish heritage, was raised by his grandparents, John Henry and Maggie Connolly. As he grew up in a time of segregation, he witnessed racism both in society and within his own family.

James Earl Jones said that his grandmother, who raised him, was “the most racist person” he ever knew. She taught him racist views, calling it “defensive racism.” However, as he grew older, Jones learned to ignore these teachings. His first steps toward independent thinking started after he moved from Mississippi to Michigan.

In an interview, James Earl Jones said, “I went to school with white and Indian kids. I knew they weren’t the bad people my grandmother said they were. I had to start thinking for myself and understand more about what she believed.”

James Earl Jones faced another big challenge growing up: he had a severe stutter and stopped speaking for a few years. In high school, an English teacher helped him learn to use his voice again.

Once he regained his ability to speak, Jones went on to have a successful Hollywood career that started in the 1960s. He acted in many movies, including *The Sting*, *Trading Places*, *Othello*, *Dr. Strangelove*, *Egghead*, and the *Star Wars* trilogy. Jones won several awards for his work, including a Tony Award and an Academy Award.

James Earl Jones was married twice during his life. His first marriage was to Julienne Marie in 1968. They were married for four years. Although it was Jones’ first marriage, it was actually Marie’s second marriage.

After James Earl Jones and Julienne Marie separated, they continued with their acting careers. Jones starred in movies like “Deadly Hero” and “Claudine,” while Marie appeared in shows like “Search for Tomorrow,” “Ryan’s Hope,” and “Our Private World.” Marie, like Jones, was also a talented actor and received Tony nominations in 1959 and 1964.

In 1979, Jones met Cecilia Hart on the set of the film “Paris.” They hit it off immediately and worked together again on the 1982 production of “Othello.” They decided to get married in 1983.

Despite their strong connection, James Earl Jones faced challenges with Cecilia Hart’s parents. While he liked them, they were not keen on the idea of their daughter marrying him.

James Earl Jones recalled being surprised when he asked for Cecilia Hart’s parents’ blessing to marry her. He was taken aback when her mother raised concerns about race, which were still a big issue at the time.

James Earl Jones remembered that when he asked Cecilia Hart’s mother for her blessing, she was worried about what their children would look like. She expressed concerns because Jones was Black and Hart was white. Jones told her that no matter who he married, their children would be Black.

Jones’s thoughtful response eased the tension and changed the mood. The worried atmosphere lightened, and Cecilia Hart’s mother became more cheerful, which helped Jones and Hart get married.

The couple overcame the challenges related to racism and got married in 1982. They enjoyed 34 happy years together and had a son named Flynn. Flynn eventually became his father’s assistant.

Although Flynn tends to stay out of the spotlight, he has joined his parents at a few high-profile events. For instance, he attended the premiere of “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” at the Novello Theatre with them.

Flynn was also seen with his parents at the Marion Anderson Award Gala in 2012. Unfortunately, Cecilia Hart passed away in October 2016 after a battle with ovarian cancer.

Cecilia Hart, who was 68 when she passed away, had a notable career in the movie industry. Starting in the 1970s, she appeared in films and TV shows like “The Heiress,” “Design for Loving,” and “Dirty Linen & New-Found-Land.”

One of Cecilia Hart’s last roles was in “Law & Order.” She also appeared in shows like “Three’s Company,” “Quincy M.E.,” “Charles in Charge,” and “MacGyver.” James Earl Jones and Cecilia Hart were last seen together at the Tony Awards in June 2016.

Before marrying James Earl Jones, Cecilia Hart was married to actor Bruce Weitz, but they did not have any children together. When Hart passed away, her family asked for donations to be made to two organizations that were important to her.

Now, almost eight years after Cecilia Hart’s death, James Earl Jones has passed away at the age of 93. He leaves behind a legacy of iconic roles and a significant impact on the entertainment industry.