The Legendary Actor James Earl Jones Passes Away at 93

Entertainment – James Earl Jones, the distinguished actor renowned for his powerful voice and iconic role as Darth Vader in Star Wars, passed away Monday morning at his home in Dutchess County, N.Y., at 93. His representative confirmed the news to Variety. 

Overcoming a severe childhood stutter, Jones became one of his era’s most influential Black actors. His career spanned over six decades, beginning on Broadway in 1958. In 2022, the Cort Theatre was renamed in his honor, marking a testament to his profound impact on stage and screen. One of his final performances was reprising his role as King Jaffe Joffer in *Coming 2 America* (2021), a sequel to the 1988 Eddie Murphy comedy *Coming to America*. Additionally, Jones provided the iconic voice of King Mufasa in Disney’s *The Lion King* and reprised that role in the 2019 remake. Other memorable roles included CIA deputy director James Greer in three *Jack Ryan* films, including *The Hunt for Red October* (1990).

Jones’ impressive filmography spans over 80 films, with notable performances in *Dr. Strangelove* (1964), *Conan the Barbarian* (1982), *Field of Dreams* (1989), and *Cry, the Beloved Country* (1995). He made history by portraying the first Black president in the 1972 film *The Man*.

On stage, Jones earned four Tony Award nominations and won twice—first for his portrayal of Jack Johnson in *The Great White Hope* (1969) and later for his role in August Wilson’s *Fences* (1987). His television accolades include eight Primetime Emmy nominations, winning two in 1991 for *Heat Wave* and *Gabriel’s Fire*, making him the first actor to win two Emmys in the same year.

Beyond acting, Jones received numerous honors, including a Kennedy Center Honor (2002), the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award (2009), an honorary Oscar (2011), and a Lifetime Achievement Tony Award (2017). His 1977 Grammy for spoken word made him one of the rare actors to achieve EGOT status.

Jones’ towering presence and resonant voice made him a natural fit for Shakespearean roles, and he starred in productions like Macbeth and Othello. He also lent his voice to several documentaries and famously delivered CNN’s iconic tagline: “This is CNN.”

Though his role as Darth Vader in *Star Wars* cemented him in cinematic history, Jones initially declined screen credit out of respect for actor David Prowse, who physically portrayed the character. By *Return of the Jedi* (1983), Jones had fully embraced the role and received proper credit. He voiced Vader again in *Revenge of the Sith* (2005) and *Rogue One* (2016). For the Disney+ series *Obi-Wan Kenobi* (2022), Jones authorized Lucasfilm to use AI technology to recreate Vader’s voice from archival recordings.

Reflecting on his illustrious career, Jones once told *The New York Times* in 2014, “The secret is never forgetting that you’re a journeyman actor. Nothing is your final thing; nothing is your greatest thing, and nothing is your worst thing. I still consider myself a novice.”

Born in 1931 in Arkabutla, Mississippi, Jones faced significant challenges early in life, including a debilitating stutter. After moving to Michigan with his maternal grandparents and an English teacher, I encouraged him to overcome his speech issues by reading poetry aloud. Jones initially pursued medicine at the University of Michigan but found his true calling in drama, leading to his first stage role in 1957.

Jones’ career flourished on Broadway, with standout roles in *The Great White Hope* and landmark productions like *Othello*. His first significant film role came in *Dr. Strangelove* (1964), following an acclaimed performance in *The Merchant of Venice*.

Despite achieving fame, Jones remained grounded, often gravitating towards roles emphasizing dignity and gravitas. In the late 1970s, his performances in Roots and Star Wars helped solidify his status as a household name while continuing to captivate audiences throughout his career. He returned to Broadway in productions like On Golden Pond (2005) and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (2008) and starred alongside Vanessa Redgrave in Driving Miss Daisy in 2010.

Jones’ first marriage was to actress-singer Julienne Marie. His second wife, actress Cecilia Hart, passed away in 2016 after 34 years of marriage. He is survived by his son, Flynn Earl Jones. 

James Earl Jones leaves a legacy of excellence and humility and has made an indelible mark on the entertainment world.

This version reflects the prestigious tone and detailed nature of the Midtown Times, celebrating the extraordinary life of James Earl Jones.