American actor James Earl Jones, famed for voicing Star Wars villain Darth Vader, has died at the age of 93, his agent Barry McPherson confirmed. Jones passed away early Monday morning, surrounded by his family.
Jones enjoyed a prolific career, starring in numerous films including Field of Dreams, Coming to America, Conan the Barbarian, and The Lion King, where he voiced Mufasa. However, he was best known for his iconic voice as Darth Vader in Star Wars. Actor Mark Hamill, who portrayed Vader’s son Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars series, posted a touching tribute, writing, “RIP Dad,” accompanied by a broken heart emoji.
In addition to his film roles, Jones was also the famous voice behind CNN’s tagline, “This is CNN.” His distinguished career earned him three Tony Awards, two Emmys, a Grammy, and an honorary Oscar in 2011 for lifetime achievement. He became the second Black man to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in 1971, following Sidney Poitier.
Tributes poured in for Jones after the news of his death. Actor Colman Domingo expressed his admiration, saying, “Thank you dear James Earl Jones for everything. A master of our craft. We stand on your shoulders.” Crystal Minkoff, wife of The Lion King co-director Rob Minkoff, shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, writing, “Rest in Power, Mr. Jones. You made a young animator’s dream come true when you accepted the role of Mufasa.”
Born in Mississippi in 1931, Jones overcame a childhood stammer to develop his famously deep voice. He lent his voice to the Star Wars trilogy, beginning with the original film in 1977, and reprised the role of Darth Vader in later installments such as Rogue One and The Rise of Skywalker. Though a different actor wore the Vader costume, it was Jones’s voice that gave the character its distinct gravitas.
Despite his pivotal role, Jones earned only $9,000 for the first Star Wars film, considering it just another special effects job. Initially, he even requested to remain uncredited. However, he later embraced the immense cultural impact of his portrayal.
Beyond Star Wars, Jones appeared on television in shows like Roots: The Next Generation and Gabriel’s Fire, for which he won one of his two Emmys. His distinctive voice also made appearances in The Simpsons and early episodes of Sesame Street.
Jones had a distinguished stage career as well, taking on iconic Shakespearean roles such as Othello and King Lear.
James Earl Jones will be remembered for his powerful voice, extraordinary acting legacy, and enduring influence on the entertainment industry.
