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.”