James Earl Jones, the acclaimed American actor known for his powerful voice and extensive stage and screen work, has passed away at the age of 93, his representatives confirmed on Monday.
Jones’s iconic career spanned from Shakespearean theater to blockbuster films. He is perhaps best known for bringing the imposing Darth Vader to life in the “Star Wars” saga, though he never physically portrayed the character.
His deep, resonant voice, provided the menacing tone for Vader, creating one of cinema’s most memorable villains.
In addition to his role as Darth Vader, Jones’s voice graced the character of Mufasa in Disney’s “The Lion King,” and he earned acclaim across various mediums.
His distinguished career includes three Tony Awards (including a lifetime achievement award), two Emmys, a Grammy, and an honorary Oscar.
Born on January 17, 1931, in segregated Mississippi, Jones overcame a childhood stutter that often left him unable to speak. His struggle with stuttering was a significant challenge, but he managed to gain control of his voice, which later became his most famous asset.
Jones’s path to acting began with a shift from a medical career to drama studies at the University of Michigan, followed by service in the U.S. Army.
After moving to New York, he worked as a janitor while pursuing acting opportunities.
His Broadway debut came in 1958 with “Sunrise at Campobello,” and his stage career included memorable performances in Shakespeare’s works, such as Othello and King Lear, as well as August Wilson’s plays.
His film debut occurred in Stanley Kubrick’s “Dr. Strangelove” (1964), and he later appeared in notable military roles, including Admiral Greer in Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan films.
He also portrayed King Jaffe Joffer in “Coming to America” (1988) and reprised his role as Mufasa in “The Lion King” (1994).
Jones’s stage and screen achievements earned him numerous accolades.
His first major award came in 1969 with a Tony for “The Great White Hope,” where he portrayed boxer Jack Jefferson, a role he also played in the film adaptation, earning an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe.
Even into his 80s, Jones remained a commanding presence on Broadway, starring in productions like “The Best Man” and “The Gin Game.” He was also known for his iconic voiceover work, including the famous “This is CNN” tagline.
Despite his reluctance to be credited for his voice work initially, Jones’s contribution to the role of Darth Vader became legendary.
As he aged, he chose to step back from the role but granted rights to his voice recordings to a start-up collaborating with Lucasfilm to preserve and recreate his voice using artificial intelligence.
Jones’s second wife, Cecilia, passed away in 2016. They had one son together.
