Robert was the father of the legendary James Earl Jones and although he wasn't a name like his son he had many brief supporting roles in TV and film including his role as one of the camp's cook's in the 1983 cult classic slasher flick 'Sleepaway Camp'.
He had a few scene's in the first part of the flick and encountered a near deadly incident with the head scumbag cook Artie who had boiling water pushed onto him from the mysterious killer for nearly molesting one of the kids at camp.
Then seven years later he had a special appereance playing a blind man at a newspaper stand named Harry in 'Maniac Cop 2' as his role was only about 4 minutes or so long does a nice job going into detail on what had happened with a terrifying indicent that happened as when he heard some deadly noises and so fourth.
He wasn't a name in the horror industry but can be remembered to some horror fans in these two flicks.

He was fondly remembered for his work in many drama's, adventure and crime flicks since back in 1939 with the motion picture of 'Lying Lips' along with many other's like 'One Potato Two Potato', 'Mississippi Summer', 'The Sting', 'Cockfighter', 'Cold River' and 'Starlight: A Musical Movie'
He has had countless stage acting experience as he appeared on stage with his son in "Infidel Caesar" (1962), "Moon on a Rainbow Shawl" (1962) and "Of Mice and Men" in 1967.

Plus he was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Black Theatre Festival; also received an Oscar Micheaux Award and was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame.

His other skills was being a trained boxer and a one-time sparring partner for world heavyweight champion Joe Louis in 1937.

He also ran in the New York City Marathon several times, including in 1996!
Like his son he has a deep mellifluous voice and the two of them can sometimes be mistaken in shows.

He was born on February 3, 1910 in Senatobia, Mississippi, USA and lived a very long life although at times was rumored dead. He passed away from natural causes on September 7, 2006 in Englewood, New Jersey