James Earl Jones, the talented actor known for his deep and captivating voice, has passed away at the age of 93. Jones famously provided the iconic voice for the legendary Star Wars character, Darth Vader, as per reported by The Guardian.
Jones passed away at his residence in Dutchess county, New York, as confirmed by his representatives. The cause of his death has not been disclosed.
Star Wars creator George Lucas paid tribute to James, referring to him as an “incredible actor” with a “most unique voice both in art and spirit”. Mark Hamill, who portrayed Luke Skywalker, also expressed his condolences, referring to James as “dad“.
#RIP dad 💔 https://t.co/YXpFoBb2Ua
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) September 9, 2024
Kevin Costner, who starred alongside Jones in Field of Dreams, expressed his admiration for the late actor. In his heartfelt tribute, Costner praised Jones’ commanding voice, quiet strength, and the warmth he exuded. He emphasized the significance of Jones’ legacy, particularly his involvement in the iconic film Field of Dreams. Costner concluded by expressing his gratitude for being a part of Jones’ remarkable journey.
Actor Octavia Spencer expressed her admiration for him, stating that his iconic roles and lasting impact on cinema are beyond legendary. Actor Colman Domingo also paid tribute to him, acknowledging him as a master of their craft. Domingo further emphasized that they are able to stand on his shoulders and that he should now rest in peace, knowing that he gave his best to the industry.
Jones wasn’t initially chosen to play the iconic role of Vader. Instead, the British bodybuilder David Prowse was cast in the first Star Wars film in 1977, primarily for his imposing physique. However, director George Lucas was dissatisfied with Prowse’s strong West Country accent. As a result, Jones was brought in to revoice Vader’s menacing dialogue, ultimately creating a villain that would become immortal. At the time, Jones was not a well-known name and considered himself more of a “special effects” artist.
It wasn’t until the third Star Wars movie, The Return of the Jedi, released in 1983, that Jones received credit for his role. Throughout his career, Jones lent his voice to Vader in six Star Wars films, including the original trilogy, The Revenge of the Sith in 2005, Rogue One in 2016, and The Rise of Skywalker in 2019. Additionally, he voiced Vader in the infamous 1978 Holiday Special and the Star Wars: Rebels TV series, which aired from 2014 to 2018.
James Earl Jones achieved remarkable success with another role that required only his voice: Mufasa in the 1994 Disney animation The Lion King. His portrayal of Mufasa’s tragic demise at the hands of his treacherous brother Scar is often considered as traumatizing to a generation of children, much like the death of Bambi’s mother in the 1960s. Jones later returned to reprise his iconic role in the 2019 remake directed by Jon Favreau, which aimed to infuse the story with a more authentic cultural essence.
Jones had already achieved considerable fame and success as a stage actor by this time. He was born in Mississippi in 1931 but grew up in Michigan after his family relocated during the Great Migration. Jones’s father, Robert Earl Jones, was also an actor, although he left the family before Jones was born. Their contact was limited until the 1950s. Robert Earl Jones had notable roles in Langston Hughes’s play “Don’t You Want to be Free?,” several films by African American film pioneer Oscar Micheaux, and high-profile Hollywood movies like “The Sting,” where he portrayed grifter Luther Coleman.
As a child, Jones had to overcome a stammer, with the assistance of a teacher. Following his studies in drama at the University of Michigan and a period in the military, after serving in the Korean war, Jones swiftly made a name for himself as a stage performer. In 1958, he made his Broadway debut in Sunrise at Campobello, a play by Dore Schary that delves into Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s polio diagnosis.
In 1967, Jones achieved what many consider to be his defining role on the stage when he portrayed boxer Jack Jefferson in Howard Sackler’s play The Great White Hope. Modeled after the legendary Jack Johnson, Jones’s portrayal earned him a Tony award for best actor in 1969. The success of the play led to a film adaptation in 1970, directed by Martin Ritt, where Jones received an Oscar nomination for best actor. He became the second black actor to be recognized with this prestigious nomination.
The film provided Jones with a platform to establish himself as a leading man in Hollywood, taking advantage of the newfound opportunities for African American actors at the time. He went on to star in The Man, playing a senator who becomes the first black president, and in Claudine, a romantic comedy where he shared the screen with Diahann Carroll (who received a best actress Oscar nomination for her role).
Jones had been married two times in his life. Firstly, he was married to the actor and singer Julienne Marie from 1968 to 1972. Later, he tied the knot with Cecilia Hart, who unfortunately passed away in 2016. He leaves behind his son Flynn, who is also pursuing a career in acting.
