Immortal voice of Darth Vader, James Earl Jones (93) dies
James Earl Jones, the legendary actor who lent his voice to iconic Star Wars villain Darth Vader, reportedly passed away on Monday (local time). He was 93. According to his agent Barry McPherson, Jones died at his home in Dutchess County, New York, surrounded by his family. The cause of death has not been disclosed. Tributes have poured in from across the entertainment industry for the revered actor.
'Incredible actor, unique voice': George Lucas
George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, paid tribute to Jones, describing him as "an incredible actor, a most unique voice both in art and spirit." Mark Hamill—who portrayed Luke Skywalker in the franchise—simply wrote "RIP dad" on social media. Star Trek actor LeVar Burton said, "There will never be another of his particular combination of graces." Meanwhile, Kevin Costner—who starred alongside Jones in Field of Dreams—remembered the actor's "booming voice," "quiet strength," and "the kindness that he radiated."
Jones's journey to becoming Darth Vader
Jones was not the original choice for the role of Darth Vader. British bodybuilder David Prowse was initially cast for his imposing physique, but director Lucas was dissatisfied with Prowse's pronounced West Country accent. Jones was then tasked with revoicing Vader's dialogue, creating an instantly iconic villain. Despite his significant contribution, Jones was not credited until the third Star Wars movie, The Return of the Jedi, in 1983.
Jones's extensive work in the 'Star Wars' franchise
In total, Jones's voice was featured in six Star Wars films: the original trilogy, The Revenge of the Sith (2005), Rogue One (2016), and The Rise of Skywalker (2019). He also lent his voice to the infamous 1978 Holiday Special and the Star Wars: Rebels TV series, which aired from 2014 to 2018. Apart from Star Wars, Jones voiced Mufasa in Disney's 1994 animation The Lion King and its 2019 remake.
Jones's illustrious stage and screen career
Jones won a Tony award for Best Actor in 1969 for his role as boxer Jack Jefferson in Howard Sackler's play The Great White Hope. He also received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor for the 1970 film adaptation of the play. Throughout his career, Jones appeared in numerous major productions and Shakespeare plays on Broadway, demonstrating his versatility and talent as a performer. His legacy will be remembered for generations to come.
