James Earl Jones, Voice Of King Mufasa And Darth Vader, Dies At 93

James Earl Jones, a celebrated icon known for voicing the characters in movies like The Lion King and Darth Vader, has died. He breathed his last on Monday morning at his home, confirmed by his agent Barry McPherson. He was 93. The cause was not immediately clear.

Who was James Earl Jones?

Jones was born by the light of an oil lamp in a shack in Arkabutla, Mississippi, on Jan. 17, 1931. His father, Robert Earl Jones, had deserted his wife before the baby's arrival to pursue life as a boxer and, later, an actor. When Jones was 6, his mother took him to her parents' farm near Manistee, Michigan. His grandparents adopted the boy and raised him.

The pioneering Jones worked deep into his 80s, won two Emmys, a Golden Globe, two Tony Awards, a Grammy, the National Medal of Arts, the Kennedy Center Honors, and was given an honorary Oscar and a special Tony for lifetime achievement. In 2022, a Broadway theatre was renamed in his honour. The star was described as "one of America's most distinguished and versatile" owing to his work.

Jones gave memorable performances in movies such as Field of Dreams, screen hit The Great White Hope, Roots: The Next Generation and Cry, the Beloved Country. He was also a sought-after voice actor, expressing the villainy of Darth Vader (“No, I am your father,” commonly misremembered as “Luke, I am your father”), the benign dignity of King Mufasa in Disney's animated The Lion King, Coming 2 America, The Hunt for Red October and many more.

Some of his other films include Dr Strangelove, The Greatest (with Muhammad Ali), Conan the Barbarian, Three Fugitives and playing an admiral in three Tom Clancy blockbuster adaptations, The Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger. In a rare romantic comedy, Claudine, Jones had an onscreen love affair with Diahann Carroll.

Jones made his Broadway debut in 1958’s Sunrise At Campobello and would win his two Tony Awards for “The Great White Hope” (1969) and “Fences” (1987). He also was nominated for “On Golden Pond” (2005) and “Gore Vidal’s The Best Man” (2012). He was celebrated for his command of Shakespeare and Athol Fugard alike. More recent Broadway appearances include “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” “Driving Miss Daisy,” “The Iceman Cometh,” and “You Can’t Take It With You.”

He also appeared in As the World Turns in 1965, becoming one of the first African American actors in a continuing role in a daytime drama. He performed with the New York Shakespeare Festival Theater in Othello, Macbeth and King Lear and in off-Broadway plays.

Celebs pay tribute to James Earl Jones

Industry friends and fans paid tribute to James Earl Jones on social media. “One of the world’s finest actors whose contributions to ‘Star Wars’ were immeasurable. He’ll be greatly missed.” — actor Mark Hamill, who played Vader's son Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars movies, in a statement to The Associated Press.

“James Earl Jones… there will never be another of his particular combination of graces.” — actor LeVar Burton, on X.

“Thank you dear James Earl Jones for everything. A master of our craft. We stand on your shoulders. Rest now. You gave us your best.” — actor Colman Domingo, on X.

“RIP James Earl Jones, the legendary actor who memorably appeared in the iconic baseball movies ‘Field of Dreams’ and ‘The Sandlot.’ Jones gave a moving recitation of our National Anthem at the 1993 MLB All-Star Game in Baltimore.” — Major League Baseball, on X.

James Earl Jones is survived by his son Flynn Earl Jones, whom he had with his second wife Cecilia Hart.

(With Inputs from AP)