James Earl Jones, the revered American actor known for his iconic voice roles as Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in The Lion King, has passed away at the age of 93.
Surrounded by his family, Jones died peacefully on Monday, according to his agent. No cause of death has been shared.
Jones, whose career spanned over six decades, was celebrated not only for his powerful stage presence but also for his deep, commanding voice. His unforgettable delivery made Darth Vader one of cinema’s most menacing villains, and his portrayal of Mufasa left an indelible mark on generations of moviegoers.
Director George Lucas and actor James Earl Jones (Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images for AFI)
Tributes poured in from across the entertainment industry. Star Wars co-star Mark Hamill, who portrayed Luke Skywalker, simply posted “RIP Dad” alongside a broken heart emoji. Kevin Costner, who acted alongside Jones in Field of Dreams, reflected on his “booming voice” and “quiet strength,” praising his irreplaceable presence. “I’ll just say how thankful I am that part of his legacy includes Field of Dreams,” Costner said.
#RIP dad 💔 https://t.co/YXpFoBb2Ua
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) September 9, 2024
Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images
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Beyond Darth Vader
Jones’ legacy extends far beyond his role as Darth Vader. He won numerous accolades throughout his career, including three Tony Awards, two Emmys, and a Grammy, and was awarded an honorary Oscar in 2011 for lifetime achievement. In 1971, Jones became the second Black man to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor, following in the footsteps of Sidney Poitier.
Jones’ influence wasn’t just felt in film and television—he was also the voice of CNN’s iconic tagline, “This is CNN,” lending his authoritative tone to the network for decades. “That remarkable voice is just one of many things the world will miss about James,” CNN remarked in a statement.
Photo by Marianna Massey/Getty Images
Born in Mississippi in 1931, Jones overcame a childhood stammer to become one of the most respected voices in the industry. His career was marked by a deep love for language and performance, whether delivering Shakespeare on stage or voicing some of the most memorable characters in cinematic history.
Jones continued to work well into his later years, reprising his role as Mufasa in Disney’s 2019 The Lion King remake and voicing Darth Vader in the 2022 Disney+ mini-series Obi-Wan Kenobi. His impact on both stage and screen is immeasurable, with countless actors and fans acknowledging the monumental influence he had on their lives and careers.
As Star Wars creator George Lucas once said, “James brought a depth to Darth Vader that made him more than just a villain. He made him unforgettable.”
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