James Earl Jones Net Worth: How much money did the actor earn for Star Wars and The Lion King?

How Hollywood's legendary voice amassed a million-dollar fortune despite missed Star Wars opportunity. Leer

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ollywood and the entertainment world are mourning the loss of a legend, , on September 9, 2024, leaving behind a remarkable legacy and an impressive net worth of $40 million. , whose career spanned over seven decades, became one of the most iconic voices in film history, but he also made a decision early on that cost him tens of millions. Famed for his deep, resonant voice, was the voice behind some of the most memorable characters in entertainment, including in and in .

However, despite his monumental contributions to the franchise, made a fateful decision during the filming of the original movie in 1977 that left him missing out on a fortune. His shocking salary for Star Wars At the time, was offered a percentage of the film's gross earnings, but desperate for cash, he opted for an upfront payment of $7,000, equivalent to around $27,000 today. Although this was a considerable sum for at the time, it pales in comparison to the enormous success of , which grossed over $775 million in 1977 alone.



later admitted that this choice cost him while fellow actor , who accepted a percentage of the box office, earned over $95 million from the same film. Despite this missed opportunity, Jones built a successful career that spanned theater, television, and . Born in 1931, overcame a childhood stutter to become a celebrated Shakespearean actor, making his Broadway debut in 1957.

A career worthy of admiration His breakout role in earned him a in 1969 and an nomination in 1970. continued to shine on both stage and screen, starring in hit films like , and . voice became synonymous with excellence in entertainment, famously lending his gravitas to CNN's tagline, He also enjoyed a long career in television, with roles in series like , and .

Though he may have missed out on millions from , impressive $40 million net worth is a testament to his prolific and enduring career. Even in his final years, he continued to be celebrated as one of the last great actors from golden age, cementing his legacy as one of the most legendary performers of all time..