The news of James Earl Jones’ passing has reverberated through Hollywood and fan communities alike, leaving many in deep mourning.
The legendary voice behind iconic characters like Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in The Lion King died on Monday, Sept. 9, at the age of 93 in his home in Dutchess County, NY.
An EGOT winner and a towering figure in entertainment, Jones’ impact on film, television, and theater was profound.
Tributes flooded in from celebrities and fans, honoring his extraordinary career and influence.
Mark Hamill, renowned for his role as Luke Skywalker in the Star wars saga, paid tribute to Jones, who famously voiced Darth Vader—Luke’s father in the series. Hamill’s message carried a mix of heartbreak and humor, reflecting their iconic connection as father and son on-screen, as he tweeted, ‘#RIP dad’
The news of James Earl Jones’ passing has reverberated through Hollywood and fan communities alike, leaving many in deep mourning; (pictured 2017)
Mark Hamill, renowned for his role as Luke Skywalker in the Star wars saga, paid tribute to Jones, who famously voiced Darth Vader—Luke’s father in the series; (pictured Sunday)
Actor LeVar Burton posted, ‘James Earl Jones… there will never be another of his particular combination of graces.’
‘From the gentle wisdom of Mufasa to the menacing threat of Darth Vader, James Earl Jones gave voice to some of the greatest characters in cinema history,’ said Bob Iger, chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company, in a statement.
‘A celebrated stage actor with nearly 200 film and television credits to his name, the stories he brought to life with a uniquely commanding presence and a true richness of spirit have left an indelible mark on generations of audiences.’
Jones made his screen debut as a bombardier in Stanley Kubrick’s 1964 black-comedy masterpiece Dr. Strangelove.
While he continued to develop his film career over the following decades, the Tony-winning actor maintained a regular presence on stage as well.
He never appears on screen when playing his most famous role, Darth Vader, as it was the former bodybuilder David Prowse who wore the iconic black suit.
Jones was handpicked by Star Wars creator George Lucas to provide Darth Vader’s chilling voice.
Jones once recalled, ‘Lucas considered Orson Welles for the role but thought he might be too recognizable, so he hired me instead to simply read the words off the page. I wrapped it up in just a couple of hours.’
Hamill’s message carried a mix of heartbreak and humor, reflecting their iconic connection as father and son on-screen, as he tweeted, ‘#RIP dad’
Jones never appears on screen when playing his most famous role, Darth Vader, as it was the former bodybuilder David Prowse who wore the iconic black suit
Jones was handpicked by Star Wars creator George Lucas to provide Darth Vader’s chilling voice
Actor LeVar Burton posted, ‘James Earl Jones… there will never be another of his particular combination of graces’
Despite his pivotal role, Jones earned just $7,000 for his work on the first Star Wars film.
However, he later shared that a series of commercials that followed more than compensated him, saying, ‘They took good care of me.’
Initially, Jones didn’t even want to be credited for his work, believing his voiceover contributions were merely part of the movie’s special effects.
Eventually, he agreed, and his unmistakable voice went on to define Darth Vader across multiple films, television series, and video games.
