Before my grandpa built his own church, we went to the neighboring town, and it was a white community. You know, up north, mostly middle European people and Indians, Chippewa Indians. We were welcome to that church, but once we got in, they didn't know what to do with us.

In 1992 Jones was often seen as the host on the video tele-monitor for the Sea World resort in Orlando Florida. He moved to his grandparents' farm in Jackson Michigan when he was five but the transition was traumatic and he developed a stutter so severe he refused to speak. He also appeared in television and radio advertising for Verizon Business DSL and Verizon Online DSL from Verizon Communications.

On November 12 2011 he received an Honorary Academy Award. " Since his Broadway debut in 1957 Jones has won many awards including a Tony Award and Golden Globe Award for his role in The Great White Hope. As a child Jones overcame a stutter that lasted for several years.