Legendary star James Earl Jones, known for voicing “Star Wars” villain Darth Vader in the franchise and his parts in movies like “Field of Dreams,” has died. He was 93.
On Monday, the actor’s representative with the Independent Artist Group confirmed to Deadline magazine that Jones had passed away at his home in Dutchess County, NY. A cause of death has yet to be announced at the time of publication.
Born in 1931 on a farm in in Arkabutla, Mississippi, Jones is widely regarded for his work on stage and screen, becoming one of the rare EGOT winners after taking home two Primetime Emmys, a Grammy Award, an Honorary Oscar, and three Tony Awards during his career, the outlet noted.
James Earl Jones, the prolific film, TV and theater actor whose resonant, unmistakable baritone was most widely known as the voice of “Star Wars” villain Darth Vader, died Monday. He was 93.https://t.co/k2OTXabcSa pic.twitter.com/a7Bqp914mW
— Variety (@Variety) September 9, 2024
The star of the big and small screen’s career spans more than sixty years following his Broadway debut in 1958 at the Cort Theatre, a place that would later be renamed the James Earl Jones Theater in 2022, Variety noted. His TV credits alone are more than 70 including movies and miniseries like “Roots” and “The Atlanta Child Murders” along with guest roles on shows like “Picket Fences,” “Law & Order,” “The Simpsons,” “Frasier” and “House.”
Generations of movie goers probably first heard the iconic baritone sound of Jones voice as that of evil Darth Vader in the 1977 smash hit, a role he would revisit for years to come. Another generation of kids would first hear his voice as the King Mufasa in the classic animated Disney movie “Lion King” in 1994.
Others will likely recall seeing Jones for the first time as King Jaffe Joffer in Eddie Murphy’s 1988 hit “Coming to America,” a role he recently reprised for the highly-anticipated sequel “Coming 2 America” in 2021.
His role as a reclusive author in 1989’s “Field of Dreams,” alongside Kevin Costner is just one of the many great roles he’s had. Others include his part in three Jack Ryan movies as CIA deputy director Vice Admiral James Greer in 1990’s “The Hunt for Red October,” 1992’s “Patriot Games” and 1994’s “Clear and Present Danger,” Variety noted.
In addition to his Honorary Academy Award in 2011, he was honored in 2002 with a Kennedy Center Honor and an Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement award in 2009.
During a New York Times interview in 2014, Jones talked about his lengthy career and said the “secret is never forgetting that you’re a journeyman actor and that nothing is your final thing, nothing is your greatest thing, nothing is your worst thing. I still consider myself a novice.”
Jones is survived by his son, Flynn Earl Jones whom he shares with his second wife of 34 years, Cecelia Hart. Hart died in 2016, Variety noted. He was first married to actress-singer Julienne Marie.
Related: 91-Year-Old James Earl Jones Using AI To Keep The Voice Of Darth Vader Alive
