James Earl Jones, the iconic voice behind Darth Vader, passed away at the age of 93 on Monday morning, with his family by his side, as confirmed by his agent Barry McPherson. Jones had an illustrious career, featuring in numerous films such as Field of Dreams, Coming to America, Conan the Barbarian, and The Lion King. He is most renowned for providing the menacing, gravelly voice to the Star Wars antagonist Darth Vader. Mark Hamill, who portrayed Luke Skywalker, honored Jones with a heartfelt tribute, posting “RIP Dad” along with a broken heart emoji in response to the news of his passing.
Over his career, Jones received three Tony Awards, two Emmys, a Grammy, and an honorary Oscar in 2011 recognizing his lifetime achievement. He was notably one of the first Black actors to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in 1971, following Sidney Poitier. The actor LeVar Burton was among the first to pay tribute to Jones, praising his unique grace. Colman Domingo, a fellow actor, expressed gratitude, stating, “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.”
Kevin Costner, who shared the screen with Jones in Field of Dreams, reflected on his legacy, emphasizing his powerful voice and kind demeanor. Oscar-winning actress Octavia Spencer noted that Jones’ “voice and talent will be remembered always,” adding that the term “legendary” does not adequately capture his impact on cinema. Crystal Minkoff, wife of The Lion King co-director Rob Minkoff, shared a photo of Jones as Mufasa, saying, “Rest in Power, Mr. Jones.”
Jones was also the distinctive voice behind CNN’s famous tagline, “This is CNN.” The network acknowledged his contributions, stating, “He was the voice of CNN and our brand for many decades, uniquely conveying through speech instant authority, grace, and decorum.”
Born in January 1931 in Mississippi, Jones faced a stutter in his early years, which he worked to overcome, ultimately shaping his iconic voice. He first voiced Darth Vader in the original Star Wars film released in 1977, and continued to reprise the role in subsequent films, including Rogue One and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. In a 2012 interview, he expressed his love for being a part of the Star Wars mythos and was happy to oblige fans with his famous line, “I am your father.”