James Earl Jones, the legendary actor known for his deep, commanding voice that brought Darth Vader to life in "Star Wars" and Mufasa in "The Lion King," passed away Monday at the age of 93.
James Earl Jones, the legendary actor known for his deep, commanding voice that brought Darth Vader to life in "Star Wars" and Mufasa in "The Lion King," passed away Monday at the age of 93.
Jones' death was confirmed by his representative, Barry McPherson, who shared, "He passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones. He was a great man." No cause of death was provided.
Throughout his illustrious career, Jones earned an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award (EGOT), and his iconic voice became a cultural staple. He is remembered for his powerful presence on stage and screen, as well as his memorable delivery of the line "This is CNN" for the news network. His portrayal of Mufasa in Disney’s "The Lion King" further cemented his legacy, but his most famous role remained Darth Vader, with the unforgettable line, "I am your father."
Reflecting on his career in a 2010 interview, Jones said, "I've done a King Lear, too! But the kids want the Darth Vader autograph, and that’s okay. You learn to embrace what the audience gives you."
Born in Arkabutla, Mississippi, Jones was raised by his grandparents in Michigan. As a child, he struggled with a severe stutter but overcame it through drama. After studying at the University of Michigan, he pursued acting in New York in 1957, following in the footsteps of his father, Robert Earl, who had left before Jones was born.
Jones made his Broadway debut in 1958 with "Sunrise at Campobello" and went on to win two Tony Awards for "The Great White Hope" (1969) and "Fences" (1987). His theatrical work also included notable performances in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" and "Driving Miss Daisy."
In cinema, Jones first appeared in the 1964 classic "Dr. Strangelove." He earned an Oscar nomination for "The Great White Hope" and starred in films like "Conan the Barbarian" (1982), "Coming to America" (1988), "Field of Dreams" (1989), and "The Sandlot" (1993). He cherished his role in "Field of Dreams," describing it as "simple yet powerful," believing that magic happens when simplicity is allowed to flourish.
Although Jones is known for many roles, his voice work as Darth Vader in the original 1977 "Star Wars" made him an enduring figure in pop culture. Despite never being seen on-screen in the role, his voice became synonymous with one of Hollywood's greatest villains. Jones humorously recalled earning just $7,000 for his work on the film but expressed gratitude for the opportunity.
Jones reprised his role as Mufasa in the 2019 remake of "The Lion King." Director Jon Favreau remarked that working with Jones was an honor, as he was irreplaceable in the role. Jones also returned as Vader for the 2019 film "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" and later authorized the use of his voice for future projects, aided by artificial intelligence technology.
In 2016, Jones shared that he had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, a revelation that prompted him to focus on his health. Despite the diagnosis, he remained positive and determined to continue working, saying, "I accepted that I will always be a diabetic, but I can live a full life."
Ahead of his 90th birthday in 2021, Jones expressed pride in his life’s work and looked forward to continuing his craft for as long as possible. "I feel young at heart," he said. "And I love to work."
Jones' final on-screen appearance was in the 2021 sequel "Coming 2 America," reprising his role as King Jaffe Joffer from the 1988 original film.
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