In his younger days, James Earl Jones dealt with racism within his family and with his in-laws. In the end, he wound up marrying the love of his life, Cecilia Hart, against all odds.

James Earl Jones’ sterling Hollywood career went before him in the industry. Still even more profound was his memorable baritone that gave life to famous characters like Mufasa and Darth Vader.

Regardless of his A-list status and seemingly peaceful life, Jones dealt with several difficulties, some of which happened in his childhood and his marital life with his late wife, Cecilia Hart. Here’s a look through some of the hurdles he faced and conquered.

Who Was James Earl Jones?

Long before James Earl Jones starred as King Jaffe Joffer in “Coming To America” and its second installation, he was the son of Robert Earl Jones and Ruth Connolly. Sadly his father, who was also a successful actor, never wanted him since birth.

The Hollywood actor, who had Choctaw, Cherokee, and Irish ancestry, was raised by his maternal grandparents, John Henry and Maggie Connolly. Growing up in a segregated society, Jones watched the dynamics of racism play outside and within his home.

According to him, his grandmother, who raised him, was “the most racist person” he’d ever known. He shared that he was trained in a like manner and was told it was “defensive racism.” However, Jones learned to tune out all his grandma Maggie taught him. His first independent thinking came after he moved from Mississippi to Michigan.

He stated in an interview, “I’d go to school with white kids and Indian kids. I knew they weren’t the devils that she said they were. I had to start thinking for myself, and I had to start understanding the extent to which she was right too.”

Another challenge the actor faced while growing up was his stunted speech. Jones stuttered so badly that he stopped talking and went mute for some years. However, in high school, he met an English teacher who trained him to use his voice again.

Inside His Hollywood Career

So it became that Jones regained his ability to speak, and it went a long way in expanding his Hollywood artistry. His acting career kicked off in the 1960s.

Jones appeared in scores of movies, including; “The Sting and Trading Places.” “Othello,” “Dr. STrangelove,” “Egghead,” and the “Star Wars” trilogy. Jones was the recipient of several awards, including a Tony and an Academy Award.

He Was Married Twice

Throughout his years in the spotlight, Jones was married twice. The star was first married to Julienne Marie. The pair tied the knot in 1968 and were together for four years. Although it was Jones’ first marriage, it was the second time Marie walked down the aisle.

The couple called it off and went on with their careers. In this period, Jones was known for movies like “Deadly Hero,” and “Claudine.” Marie is recognized for her roles in “Search For Tomorrow,” “Ryan’s Hope,” and “Our Private World.”

Just like her ex-husband, Marie is a Tony-recognized actor. She bagged a nomination in 1959 as Best Featured Actress, and in 1964 for her role in “Foxy.”

The Challenges of His Second Marriage

In 1979, Jones became acquainted with Cecilia Hart. The pair had met on the set of 1979’s “Paris” and kicked it off right from the start. After working together on a 1982 production of “Othello,” Jones and Hart decided to tie the knot the following year.

However, the actor faced some difficulties with his wife’s parents. He immediately liked Hart’s parents when he met them, but they did not see themselves giving their daughter over to him in marriage.

Jones shared that the day he asked for their blessings, he had been taken aback by some of the insinuations. He noted that Hart’s mom raised a concern that was still very much rampant– the race issue.

He noted that his wife’s mom was worried about the kids’ skin color, pointing out that Jones was a black man and her daughter, a white woman. He recalled letting her know that his kids would be black regardless of who he married. Mrs. Hart was worried about what her own grandchildren would look like.

His intelligent take immediately changed the tense atmosphere. The matriarch’s skeptical mood became cheerful, and that was how Jones got to marry the love of his life.

Jones and Hart Were Happily Married until Her Passing

The couple crossed the racism hurdle and married in 1982. They went on to live happily for another 34 years in marital bliss and had a son together. The couple’s son, Flynn, grew up to be his father’s assistant.

Although Flynn lives a pretty much off-the-spotlight life, he has appeared in several star-studded events with his parents. He accompanied the pair to the premiere of “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof” in Novello Theatre.

He was also seen with them in 2012 at the Marion Anderson Award Gala. All these were before Hart died in 2016. Hart’s death was announced in October of that year with news that she battled ovarian cancer until the time of death.

Hart, who was 68 when she passed on, was as prominent as her spouse in the movie industry. With a career that kicked off in the 1970s, she appeared in “The Heiress,” “Design For Loving,” and “Dirty Linen & New-Found-Land.”

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

Before her marriage to Jones, she was married to actor Bruce Weitz, but they had no kids together. At the time of her death, the family requested that donations be made to two organizations that were dear to Hart in her lifetime.

Now, almost eight years after her death, Jones has passed away at the age of 93. James Earl Jones leaves behind a legacy of unforgettable characters and a profound impact on the entertainment industry.