James Earl Jones, distinguished actor and iconic voice of Darth Vader and Mufasa, dies aged 93

Film And TV
10 Sep 24

James Earl Jones in 2012. Copyright Phil Davis

Tributes have poured in from all over the world following the death of the legendary film, TV and theatre actor.

James Earl Jones, the prolific film, TV and theatre actor whose unmistakable baritone was most widely known as the voice of Star Wars villain Darth Vader and The Lion King's leonine patriarch Mufasa, died Monday morning at his home in Dutchess County, N.Y. He was 93 years old.

Jones was surrounded by his family when he died, his representative said. No cause of death was shared.

“From the gentle wisdom of Mufasa to the menacing threat of Darth Vader, James Earl Jones gave voice to some of the greatest characters in cinema history,” said Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, in a press statement. “A celebrated stage actor with nearly 200 film and television credits to his name, the stories he brought to life with a uniquely commanding presence and a true richness of spirit have left an indelible mark on generations of audiences.”

James Earl Jones was born on 17 January 1931 in Mississippi, of African-American, American Indian and Irish ancestry. Jones grew up in a big household, of 13 people, mainly raised by his mother after his father abandoned the family. Later, Jones decided to live with his grandmother in Memphis to "ease the burden". The entire experience traumatised Jones, so much so that he developed a stammer that lasted into his teens. It got so bad that, for some time, he was unable to speak, and communicated only in writing. It wasn't until he turned towards acting that the aspiring thespian began to overcome the stammer.

He went on to study drama at the University of Michigan and, after completing his military service, sought work as an actor in New York.

From there, Jones established himself as one of the most distinguished actors of his generation, amassing a vast and all-round career spanning over 60 years, from his Broadway debut 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. He made his film debut in 1964 as a bombardier in Slim Pickens' flight crew in the Stanley Kubrick classic Dr. Strangelove, and worked a steady career in film and television by the mid-1970s.

In 1967, Jones was cast as troubled boxer Jack Johnson in a theatrical production of The Great White Hope, a career-changing role that earned him a Tony award. He reprised the role of Johnson three years later in the film adaptation, becoming the second African American man, after Sidney Poitier, to be nominated for an Academy Award.

Perhaps more than anything, the thing Jones will be remembered for is that voice - his booming contrabass once described as the sound that "Moses heard when addressed by God."

He was the voice of Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy, summoning by speech alone the full power of the mystical 'Force'. The man behind the mask, Dave Prowse, had a strong West Country accent which lacked the intended menace of such a villain. Jones received $7,000 for the role, but he declined screen credit for that film and its sequel, 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back, out of deference to Prowse. By 1983’s Return of the Jedi, however, Jones had become fully synonymous with Vader and received credit for his work.

Later on, Jones was introduced to an entirely new generation of movie-watchers in the '90s when he performed to role of Mufasa, adoring father and once king of the Pride Lands, in the Disney animated blockbuster The Lion King. Jones reprised the very same role for the 2019 live action remake of The Lion King, which stars Beyoncé, Donald Glover and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

More recently, he could be heard growling "This is CNN" on the US news channel's tagline.

Over his long and prolific career Jones won three Tonys, two Emmys, a Grammy, a Golden Globe and numerous other awards.

Tributes have poured in by the thousands following Jones' death.

In a statement, Star Wars creator and director George Lucas described Jones as "a most unique voice both in art and spirit".

"For nearly half a century he was Darth Vader, but the secret to it all is he was a beautiful human being," the director said. "He gave depth, sincerity and meaning to all his roles, amongst the most important being a devoted husband to the late Ceci and dad to Flynn.

"James will be missed by so many of us... friends and fans alike."

His on-screen son Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars trilogy, issued a statement on Instagram, writing: “One of the world’s finest actors whose contributions to ‘Star Wars’ were immeasurable. He’ll be greatly missed. #RIP dad.”

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Actor Matthew Broderick, who voiced Simba in The Lion King told People Magazine: "I’m so lucky to have had a chance to work with James Earl Jones. To have had him play my father, my king! And to get to know him a little bit."

Kevin Costner, who co-starred with Jones in '89 sports drama Field of Dreams, posted on Instagram: “That booming voice. That quiet strength. The kindness that he radiated. So much can be said about his legacy, so I’ll just say how thankful I am that part of it includes Field of Dreams."

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The Empire State Building posted an image from earlier this year of the New York landmark lit up with a striking image of Darth Vader, saying: "Rest in Peace Lord Vader."