James Earl Jones: Broadway's distinctive voice

James Earl Jones' vocal cords must resemble a linebacker's thighs. His rumbling tones have given life to Darth Vader ("Star Wars"), Mufasa ("The Lion King"), even the news ("This is C-N-Nnnnn"). But Broadway audiences have heard him live since 1958.

Here, a few highlights:

Sunrise at Campobello (1958). A drama about Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Jones, as a servant, doesn't say much . . . but give him time.

The Great White Hope (1968). A Pulitzer Prize-winning play inspired by Jack Johnson, the first black heavyweight champion. As the boxer, Jones earns his first Tony Award, and later stars in the film.

Of Mice and Men (1974). John Steinbeck's classic; Jones as Lennie. "I've always liked playing inarticulate characters," Jones notes. "Such men have no sophistication or guile to mask who they really are."

Othello (1982). Jones + The Big O = Drama Desk Award.

Fences (1987). Jones wins another Tony and Drama Desk for his work in August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about a former Negro Leagues baseball star who winds up a bitter garbageman.

On Golden Pond (2005). Jones plays craggy Norman, picking up another Tony nomination.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (2008). Jones is Big Daddy in this all-black version.

Driving Miss Daisy (2010). Jones stars as Hoke Coleburn, Vanessa Redgrave as Miss Daisy and four-time Tony Award winner Boyd Gaines as Daisy's put-upon son, Boolie.