Legendary actor James Earl Jones, who died this week at the age of 93, is most remembered for his iconic, baritone voice.
But did you know he had a stutter?
In fact, his stuttering was so severe as a child that he barely spoke and was essentially mute from first grade to his freshman year of high school. That’s when a teacher had him read poetry in front of class, which helped him get a handle on the condition.
The experience also inspired him to pursue a career in the arts, eventually leading him to worldwide fame and recognition.
Northeastern University speech experts say Jones’ story is one of inspiration and highlights some of the strategies those who stutter can implement to manage the condition.
“When you have someone who was known for his voice be able to say, ‘I am someone who stutters, and look what I was able to do with my career,’ that’s great,” says Caren McDonough, an assistant clinical professor and clinic director of the Speech-Language and Hearing Center at Northeastern University.
