Legendary actor James Earl Jones, known for his powerful deep voice and iconic roles, has passed away at age 93. Jones, whose illustrious career spanned stage and screen, was best known for voicing Darth Vader in “Star Wars” and Mufasa in Disney’s “The Lion King.” His death was confirmed by his representatives on Monday.
Born in Mississippi on January 17, 1931, Jones overcame a debilitating childhood stutter through the encouragement of a teacher who helped him find his voice by reciting poetry. This led him to pursue acting, where he became one of the most versatile and respected actors in the industry. Jones’ career included an array of roles in works by Shakespeare and August Wilson, as well as notable film appearances in Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove and Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan series.
Jones received numerous awards throughout his career, including three Tony Awards, two Emmys, a Grammy, and an honorary Oscar for lifetime achievement. He also made history as the second Black man to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in 1971, following Sidney Poitier.
His portrayal of Darth Vader became one of the most iconic performances in cinematic history. Though he did not physically embody the role, his booming voice brought the villain to life, with the line “I am your father” becoming a defining moment in The Empire Strikes Back. George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, credited Jones with creating “one of the greatest villains that ever lived.”
Jones’ presence on stage was equally commanding, earning him critical acclaim for roles such as Othello and King Lear. His first major award came in 1969 with a Tony for his performance in The Great White Hope, where he portrayed boxer Jack Jefferson, a role he later reprised in the film adaptation, garnering an Oscar nomination.
In later years, Jones remained active in theater, receiving a Tony nomination for his performance alongside Angela Lansbury in The Best Man in 2012 and appearing in The Gin Game with Cicely Tyson in 2015. He also famously voiced CNN’s signature line: “This is CNN.”
Even as Jones aged, his voice remained a cornerstone of pop culture. In 2022, he signed over the rights to his voice to preserve it using artificial intelligence for future Star Wars projects.
Jones is survived by his son, Flynn, from his marriage to Cecilia Hart, who passed away in 2016. His powerful voice and unparalleled talent leave behind a lasting legacy in film, theater, and beyond.