Legendary actor James Earl Jones, who voiced Star Wars villain Darth Vader, starred in Field of Dreams and numerous other films and Broadway shows, died September 9th at his home in Dutchess County, New York.
James Earl Jones, the prolific film, TV and theater actor whose resonant, unmistakable baritone was most widely known as the voice of “Star Wars” villain Darth Vader, died Monday morning at his home in Dutchess County, N.Y., his rep confirmed to Variety. He was 93.
After overcoming a profound stutter as a child, Jones established himself as one of the pioneering Black actors of his generation, amassing a bountiful and versatile career spanning over 60 years, from his debut on Broadway in 1958 at the Cort Theatre — renamed the James Earl Jones Theatre in 2022 — to his most recent performance in 2021’s “Coming 2 America.” Jones is one of only a handful of entertainers who earned an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony (EGOT) through the course of his career. Jones has received two Primetime Emmy Awards, a Grammy Award and three Tony Awards and was presented with the Honorary Academy Award.
Known for his deep, booming voice, Jones was born on January 17, 1931, in Mississippi. He had a career spanning over seven decades, during which he became one of the most iconic figures in the entertainment industry. He’s widely recognized for his distinctive voice work, most notably as not just the voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars franchise but also Mufasa in Disney’s The Lion King.
Beyond his voice roles, Jones is also an accomplished stage and screen actor, earning acclaim for his performances in plays such as “Fences” and “The Great White Hope,” for which he won a Tony Award. He’s also been nominated for Academy Awards and received numerous accolades for his contributions to acting. His authoritative voice and commanding presence have made him a cultural icon, and he was one of the most respected actors in Hollywood. For that film, Jones reprised his role as King Jaffe Joffer from the 1988 Eddie Murphy comedy “Coming to America” — one of several roles, along with Darth Vader, that Jones revisited, including the voice of King Mufasa in Disney’s animated feature “The Lion King” in 1994, the 1998 direct-to-video sequel and the 2019 remake, and CIA deputy director Vice Admiral James Greer in three Jack Ryan movies, 1990’s “The Hunt for Red October,” 1992’s “Patriot Games” and 1994’s “Clear and Present Danger.”Â