Award-winning American actor James Earl Jones, who provided the voice for Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy, has died at the age of 93.
James Earl Jones was born January 17, 1931 in Arkabula, Mississippi. He died September 9, 2024 at his home in Dutchess County, New York.
James Earl Jones was an EGOT* award-winning actor of stage and screen, known for his magnificent vocal timber and a prodigious artist whose background during an era when being a Black actor was a difficult and challenging choice to make. He was a towering presence. His roles in stage and screen were always bombastically enthusiastic.
But it was the modest role of the voice of a character in an obscure film in the mid-seventies would launch his menacing voice for the most signature movie villain of a generation of George Lucas most loyal fans of this tentpole science fiction saga: Star Wars!
The role of Darth Vader was two and a half hours of work for Vader’s first appearance and Jones earned $7,000. No one could possibly know of the cosmic syzygy that would bring Vader to life.
Jones knew that the character of Darth Vader would far outlive him, so he gave Lucasfilm permission to use an AI-synthesized version of his voice in future productions.
The legendary visage of this character is so wedded to Jones’ voice, fans report when they see Vader in a comic or think of his appearance in a book they may be reading, the power of Jones’ dulcet, yet operatic voice, is the one they hear. One of the most iconic voices ever heard in every place you have ever been. No matter his role, you knew who HE was.
The Empire State building was the tallest building in New York, the Empire State, from 1931 to 1970 when the Twin Towers rose above the New York skyline. In tribute, New York City placed the iconic outline of one of the most well known villains in the narrative world, books, comics and films and shared that image in tribute to the masterful voice and dynamic stylings of that outstanding orator, James Earl Jones.
Voice Work
James Earl Jones was described as having the most recognizable voice in the world. His deep, bass tones made him popular with video game makers and cartoonists. The New York Times described him as a man” whose voice could manace or melt.”
He voiced Mufasa, the father of Simba, not only in the animated feature The Lion King (1994), but reprised the role in the CGI reboot in 2019, and again in the children’s cartoon Lion Guard: Return of the Roar (2015) and in The Lion King Read-Aloud. In Jack and the Beanstalk (2009) he voiced the giant. ////////his most famous voice role was as Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy, in The Rise of Skywalker (2019), five episodes of Star Wars: Rebels, Rogue One (2016), Revenge of the Sith (2005), Obi-wan Kenobi, and in Star Tours: The Adventures Continue. He voiced Santa Claus twice, in Recess Christmas: Miracle on Third Street.
Actor Alec Baldwin called James Earl Jones “one of the greatest actors in American history.” In addition to being a star of Broadway and Hollywood, Jones wore his country’s uniform. He was commissioned a lieutenant in the United States Army and served honorably.
James Earl Jones also provided the voice of Mufasa in Disney’s The Lion King (1994). He starred in The Man (1972), which was technically science fiction at the time it was made, and which was written by the great Rod Serling of Twilight Zone fame. He played the evil wizard Thulsa Doom in Conan the Barbarian (1982). In the remake of Allan Quartmain and the Lost City of Gold (1986), he played Ulmsopogaas, the brave African warrior. In the baseball fantasy, Field of Dreams (1989), he played Terence Mann. In Coming 2 America (2021) Jones played King Jaffe Joffer.
He won Emmy, Grammy and Tony Awards (including the Tony for Lifetime Achievement in 2017) and earned an honorary Oscar in 2011.” Jones won his first Tony for playing boxer Jack Jefferson in The Great White Hope. When he reprised the role in the movie adaptaion he was nominated for both an Oscar and a Golden Globe. In 2017 Jones received a Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Stage Roles
James Earl Jones made his Broadway debut in 1957 in Sunrise in Campobello. He performed numerous productions of Shakespeare in the Park: Othello, of course, Hamlet, King Lear, and Coriolanus. Jones received another Tony nomination for playing Norman Thayer in On Golden Pond – the same role for which Henry Fonda won an Oscar in the movie version. Other notable stage performances included Driving Miss Daisy, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and The Gin Game.
James Earl Jones was married twice, He had one son. Jones was married to singer/actress Julianne Marie Hendricks from 1968 to 1972. After their divorce, he remarried actress Cecelia Hart, who was sometimes credited as Ceci Jones. They were married from 1982 until her death from cancer in 2016. They had one child together, Flynn Earl Jones.
An amazing life comes to a close. You crushed it, sir.
May the Force be with you, always. We will miss you.
*EGOT: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards. James Earl Jones, as of this writing, is one of only 27 performers in the history of the performing arts ever to win all four of these awards.
Susan Macdonald is the author of the children's book "R is for Renaissance Faire", as well as 26 short stories, mostly fantasy in "Alternative Truths", "Swords and Sorceress #30", Swords &Sorceries Vols. 1, 2, & 5, "Cat Tails" "Under Western Stars", and "Knee-High Drummond and the Durango Kid". Her articles have appeared on SCIFI.radio's web site, in The Inquisitr, and in The Millington Star. She enjoys Renaissance Faires (see book above), science fiction conventions, Highland Games, and Native American pow-wows.
