American actor James Earl Jones, 77, will receive a "Life Achievement Award" by the Screen Actors Guild in 2009 for his acting career on stage, film and television.
Jones, better known for making the voice of "Darth Vader" in the trilogy "Star Wars," Mufasa in Disney's "Lion King" and CNN's news line "This is CNN" has been awarded for being an actor who fosters the "finest ideals of the acting profession."
Jones also recorded Verizon phone service ads and is the exclusive spokesperson of it. Through his career he's been awarded in many areas including theater. He won two Tony awards, three Emmy Awards and an Oscar nomination.
As a kid, Jones was mute because of a severe stuttering problem. Later on, in high school he overcame the problem with a strong love for reading.
"Through a love of reading, I was able to overcome my muteness and pursue a career in which my voice would be my most prominent asset," Jones said in a statement.
He will be awarded at the15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards which premieres live on TNT and TBS Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009 the SAG said in a press release .
