James Earl Jones, the celebrated actor whose profound voice and formidable screen presence has, passed away at the age of 93 in his home in Dutchess County, New York. His representatives at Independent Artist Group confirmed the news. Jones’ distinguished career spanned over six decades, featuring nearly 200 screen credits and a myriad of stage performances, establishing him as a towering figure in the entertainment industry.
Jones’ journey in acting began with television guest roles in the early 1960s and quickly escalated with his breakthrough performance in Stanley Kubrick’s 1964 classic, “Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.” However, he is perhaps best known for his iconic voice role as Darth Vader in the “Star Wars” series created by George Lucas. Jones lent his commanding voice to the animated role of Mufasa in Disney’s “The Lion King,” both in the 1994 film and its 2019 remake.

 

Born on January 17, 1931, in Arkabutla, Mississippi, Jones faced a challenging childhood that included a severe stutter. He overcame this obstacle with the help of his high school English teacher, who encouraged him to use his voice in public speaking, setting him on the path to an acting career. Jones attended the University of Michigan, where he initially studied medicine before switching to drama, a decision that led him to the stages of Broadway and eventually to screens around the world.
Jones’ filmography is rich with varied roles, and his stage work was equally varied, earning him multiple Tony Awards, including for his roles in “The Great White Hope” and August Wilson’s “Fences.”
Jones won a Grammy Award for his spoken-word album in 1977, an honorary Oscar in 2011, and multiple Emmy Awards. In 2017, the Broadway community honored him with a Special Tony Award, and in 2022, the Shubert Organization renamed the Cort Theatre in New York City as The James Earl Jones Theatre in his honor.

 

Jones was also a Kennedy Center Honoree and received lifetime achievement awards from both SAG-AFTRA and the National Board of Review, testaments to his enduring impact on both the stage and screen. Despite his monumental career, Jones often spoke of his work with a humble perspective, always considering himself a journeyman actor continually perfecting his craft.
Survived by his son, Flynn Earl Jones, James Earl Jones leaves behind a legacy that stretches across film, television, and theater.

 

This interview with James Earl Jones is from December of 2014.

 

 

 

 

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