James Earl Jones, the iconic actor whose deep, resonant voice brought to life the infamous Darth Vader in Star Wars, passed away at the age of 93.
Jones died on Monday morning, September 9, at his home in Dutchess County, New York, surrounded by loved ones, according to Deadline.
While no official cause of death has been revealed, the world is left mourning one of the most celebrated actors of the last century.
Jones’s career, spanning over six decades, was marked by his extraordinary range and presence, both on stage and screen. Renowned for his powerful baritone, he was regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation. Over the years, he became one of the rare few to achieve EGOT status, winning Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards. His impressive list of honours includes two Primetime Emmys, a Daytime Emmy, a Grammy for spoken-word, an honorary Academy Award, and three Tony Awards.
With close to 200 screen credits to his name, Jones’s career was nothing short of monumental. From his early work in Dr. Strangelove (1964) to more contemporary roles in Patriot Games (1992) and The Sandlot (1990), his versatility was unmatched. His portrayal of boxer Jack Jefferson in The Great White Hope earned him widespread critical acclaim, as did performances in films such as Claudine (1974), The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings (1976), and The Hunt for Red October (1990).
However, it was his work in the Star Wars franchise that made his voice immortal. As Darth Vader, Jones voiced one of the most feared villains in cinematic history, appearing in the original trilogy—A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi. His contributions extended beyond the main films to projects like The Star Wars Holiday Special, Revenge of the Sith, and Rogue One, as well as the animated Star Wars Rebels and The Rise of Skywalker.
Jones’s remarkable career was also deeply rooted in the theatre. His commanding performances in plays like Fences and The Great White Hope earned him praise, with the latter role leading to both a Tony Award and an Academy Award nomination for the film adaptation. Other notable stage credits include Macbeth, Othello, The Iceman Cometh, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
His unforgettable portrayal of King Jaffe Joffer in Coming to America (1988) became a cult favourite, a role he revisited in 2021’s sequel, Coming 2 America.
Jones also left an indelible mark on millions as the voice of Mufasa in Disney’s beloved The Lion King (1994) and its 2019 remake.
Jones is survived by his son, Flynn Earl Jones, who now carries forward the legacy of one of Hollywood’s most influential and beloved figures.
