The unmistakeable voice of Darth Vader and Mufasa, James Earl Jones, left an unforgettable mark on Hollywood. But beyond his impressive career, many fans wonder about the legendary actor’s personal life, particularly whether he had any children.
Jones, who passed away on September 9, 2024 at the age of 93, did actually have a son. Flynn Earl Jones, born in 1982, was the only child of Jones and his second wife, actress Cecilia Hart, who he married the same year Flynn was born.
Funnily enough, Flynn made his stage debut before he was out of the womb. During Cecilia’s pregnancy, she and James performed together in a revival of William Shakespeare’s Othello, with James playing the titular role and Cecilia as Desdemona. This seems pretty fitting for the son of two acclaimed actors.
How many kids did James Earl Jones have?
Despite his parents’ fame, Flynn has chosen a path that keeps him largely out of the spotlight. A such, his Instagram account on private and Flynn has less than 500 followers. Unlike his father, who graced both the stage and screen, Flynn hasn’t pursued an acting career. Instead, he found his niche in voice work, particularly in audiobook narration. Flynn has lent his voice to several titles on Audible, including Heartthrob, Frozen Earth, and New Worlds, among others.
While Flynn may not share his father’s penchant for the limelight (so we won’t be seeing him in any Star Wars sequels anytime soon), he does seem to have at least inherited Jones’ gift for vocal performance. So, I guess Flynn is still technically carrying on his father’s legacy but in his own unique way.
Flynn’s personal life has also seen a few connections to the entertainment industry. In November 2019, he married Lorena Monagas, an actress with extensive training in classical acting and graphic design. Monagas’ background includes studies at prestigious institutions such as Shakespeare & Company and The William Esper Studio.
Although Flynn tends to keep a low profile, he has occasionally stepped out to support his father at various events. He was seen alongside his mother at the opening and closing nights of Jones’ Broadway run of Driving Miss Daisy in 2010, and again at the play’s West End opening in London in 2011.
James Earl Jones spoke about his relationship with Flynn in a 2014 interview with CBS News. He reflected on the evolution of their bond, saying,
“Finally, you see, when a child is born, mom is the main pal, until that day when you say ‘let’s go outside and play catch,’ then suddenly pop comes into focus. With me, it was ‘let’s go work together.'”
The actor also noted how fatherhood influenced his approach to certain roles, particularly that of Mufasa in The Lion King. Jones explained that he initially approached the character with regal dignity but later realized the importance of portraying the fatherly aspect of Mufasa.
Jones’ legacy in the entertainment industry is undeniable. His role as a father to Flynn, however, seems to have been equally significant to him. Though Flynn has chosen a different path from his famous parents, he continues to honor his father’s memory.