James Earl Jones, the formidable actor whose voice became synonymous with Darth Vader, has passed away at 93. Known for his commanding presence in both stage and screen, Jones died at his home, surrounded by family, his agent Barry McPherson revealed. The cause of death remains unprovided.
American actor James Earl Jones, famous for overcoming a childhood stutter to develop an iconic voice, died on September 9 at the age of 93. Despite his struggles with diabetes, Jones left an indelible legacy, most notably as the voice of Darth Vader in the ‘Star Wars’ franchise. His talent transcended visual performance, and his voice alone earned him widespread acclaim, whether as Mufasa in ‘The Lion King’ or various Shakespearean characters.
Jones famously responded to inquiries about his association with Darth Vader, expressing his appreciation for being part of the ‘myth’ and ‘cult’ surrounding the character. ‘I love being part of that whole myth, of that whole cult,’ he said in a BBC interview, adding that he enjoyed fans’ requests to recite his iconic line, ‘I am your father, Luke.’ On social media, Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker, posted ‘#RIP dad’ alongside a broken heart emoji.
Despite his fame as Darth Vader, Jones earned only $9,000 for his initial work on the ‘Star Wars’ films and chose not to be credited in the first two movies. His career, however, spanned far beyond a single role. He secured Tonys for ‘The Great White Hope’ (1969) and ‘Fences’ (1987), Emmys for ‘Gabriel’s Fire’ and ‘Heat Wave’ in 1991, and a Grammy for ‘Great American Documents’ in 1977. Though he never won a competitive Academy Award, he received an honorary Oscar in 2011.
Jones’ film debut was in Stanley Kubrick’s 1964 classic ‘Dr. Strangelove,’ and his career witnessed numerous prominent roles such as in ‘Field of Dreams,’ ‘Cry, the Beloved Country,’ and ‘The Hunt for Red October.’ His authoritative voice was also a staple in television commercials and famously introduced CNN’s newscasts with ‘This is CNN.’
Born on January 17, 1931, in Arkabutla, Mississippi, Jones had a mixed ethnic background of Irish, African, and Cherokee. His father, Robert Earl Jones, left the family early, and James was raised by his maternal grandparents in Michigan. A severe stutter led to James being mostly silent until high school, where a teacher’s challenge helped him overcome it and sparked his interest in acting. Following drama studies at the University of Michigan, he moved to New York and achieved critical success, particularly with ‘The Great White Hope’ on Broadway.
A versatile actor, Jones’ Shakespearean performances included roles in ‘Hamlet,’ ‘Macbeth,’ ‘King Lear,’ and ‘Othello.’ He also portrayed notable figures such as Paul Robeson and Alex Haley. His career was marked by an ability to convey a wide range of emotions and characters, earning him critical acclaim and a devoted fan base. His family life included marriages to Julienne Marie Hendricks and Cecilia Hart, with whom he had one child, Flynn Earl Jones.
James Earl Jones leaves behind a legacy that transcends generations, touching audiences through his powerful performances and unforgettable voice. His contributions to stage, screen, and voice acting have cemented his place in the annals of entertainment history.
Source: Rappler