James Earl Jones, the acclaimed actor whose deep, distinctive baritone voice famously brought Darth Vader to life in the "Star Wars" franchise, passed away Monday morning at his home in Dutchess County, N.Y. He was 93 years old, as confirmed by his representative to Variety.
Jones, who overcame a severe childhood stutter, emerged as a trailblazing Black actor over a career that spanned more than 60 years. He made his Broadway debut in 1958 at the Cort Theatre—renamed the James Earl Jones Theatre in 2022—and continued to leave a mark with a range of roles, including his recent performance in the 2021 film "Coming 2 America." In this film, he revisited his iconic role as King Jaffe Joffer from the 1988 Eddie Murphy comedy "Coming to America." His illustrious career also included returning to beloved characters such as King Mufasa in Disney's "The Lion King" (1994), its 1998 sequel, and the 2019 remake, as well as CIA Deputy Director Vice Admiral James Greer in the Jack Ryan series, appearing in "The Hunt for Red October" (1990), "Patriot Games" (1992), and "Clear and Present Danger" (1994).
James Earl Jones, Legendary Actor and Iconic Voice of Darth Vader, Passes Away at 93
James Earl Jones, the esteemed actor whose deep, resonant voice famously embodied Darth Vader in the "Star Wars" saga, passed away Monday morning at his home in Dutchess County, N.Y. He was 93 years old, as confirmed by his representative to Variety.
Over his remarkable career, which spanned more than six decades, Jones appeared in over 80 films. His notable roles included a B-52 bombardier in Stanley Kubrick's 1964 Cold War satire "Dr. Strangelove"—his film debut—portraying the first Black U.S. president in the 1972 film "The Man," a formidable villain in 1982’s "Conan the Barbarian," a reclusive author in "Field of Dreams" (1989), a blind former baseball star in "The Sandlot" (1993), and a minister living under apartheid in "Cry, the Beloved Country" (1995).
Jones received four Tony Award nominations and won two: one in 1969 for his role as boxer Jack Johnson in "The Great White Hope" (a role he reprised on film in 1970, earning an Oscar nomination) and another in 1987 for his portrayal of Troy Maxson in August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play "Fences." He was also nominated for eight Primetime Emmy Awards, winning twice in 1991 for his performances in "Heat Wave" and "Gabriel's Fire," marking the first time an actor won two Emmys in the same year.
In recognition of his exceptional contributions to the arts, Jones received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2002, the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2009, an honorary Oscar in 2011, and a lifetime achievement Tony Award in 2017. His Grammy Award in 1977 for a spoken word album made him one of the few actors to achieve an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony).
Jones' commanding presence and rich voice made him a natural for Shakespearean roles, and he performed significant parts such as Macbeth and Othello for Joseph Papp's American Shakespeare Festival. He narrated numerous documentaries, from 1972’s "Malcolm X" to 2007’s "Earth," and famously voiced the tagline “This is CNN” for the cable news channel.
With over 70 television credits, Jones appeared in many films and miniseries, including "Roots," "The Atlanta Child Murders," and recurring roles on "L.A. Law," "Homicide: Life on the Street," and "Everwood." He also made guest appearances on "The Simpsons," "Picket Fences," "Law & Order," "Frasier," and "House."
Despite being paid $7,000 for voicing Darth Vader in 1977’s "Star Wars: A New Hope," Jones chose not to receive screen credit out of respect for the actor who portrayed Vader on screen, David Prowse. However, by 1983’s "Return of the Jedi," Jones had become synonymous with Vader, receiving credit for his iconic role. He reprised the voice for "Episode III — Revenge of the Sith" (2005) and "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" (2016), and authorized the use of archival recordings and AI technology for the 2022 Disney+ series "Obi-Wan Kenobi."
In a 2014 interview with the New York Times, Jones attributed his enduring career to humility and a sense of ongoing growth. “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,” he said. “I still consider myself a novice.”
Born in 1931 on a farm in Arkabutla, Miss., Jones moved to Michigan with his maternal grandparents at age 5, where he developed a severe stutter. His English teacher in high school encouraged him to overcome this challenge by reading his poetry aloud, which marked the beginning of his journey in acting.
Initially studying medicine at the University of Michigan, Jones eventually shifted his focus to drama. His first stage role was a small part in the 1957 Off-Broadway production "Wedding in Japan," and he supported himself through various theater jobs. By 1960, he joined Joseph Papp’s New York Shakespeare Festival, where he made a significant impact with his performance in "The Blacks" and went on to deliver acclaimed portrayals in Shakespearean plays, including a celebrated 1964 performance as Othello.
James Earl Jones' breakthrough in cinema came through Joseph Papp’s production of *The Merchant of Venice*, where he portrayed the Prince of Morocco opposite George C. Scott’s Shylock. Stanley Kubrick, who attended the play to evaluate Scott for a role in *Dr. Strangelove*, was so impressed by Jones that he cast him in the film as well. In 1966, Jones earned critical acclaim for his title role in *Macbeth* at the New York Shakespeare Festival. That same year, he made history with a recurring role on *As the World Turns*, becoming the first Black actor to have a continuing role on a daytime soap opera.
Despite these accomplishments, Jones remained relatively under the radar until 1968, when his performance as Jack Johnson in Howard Sackler’s *The Great White Hope* brought him significant acclaim and a Tony Award. The play, about the first Black world heavyweight boxing champion, highlighted Jones during a challenging era for Black actors, though he later remarked that the accolades did little to advance his career significantly.
It was in 1977, however, that Jones’ career truly transformed. His chilling voice as Darth Vader in *Star Wars* captivated audiences and established him as a formidable presence in film. That same year, he appeared in ABC’s groundbreaking miniseries *Roots*, portraying author Alex Haley, which further cemented his status as a household name. While he never became a conventional star, these successes brought Jones a level of recognition and gravitas that elevated his contributions to any project he was part of.
Jones continued to shine on stage throughout his career, maintaining his box office appeal well into his 80s. In 2005, he returned to Broadway for *On Golden Pond* alongside Leslie Uggams, earning another Tony nomination. In 2008, he took on the role of Big Daddy in a critically acclaimed all-Black cast production of Tennessee Williams' *Cat on a Hot Tin Roof*, featuring Terrence Howard, Anika Noni Rose, and Phylicia Rashad.
He continued his Broadway success with a 2010 revival of *Driving Miss Daisy* opposite Vanessa Redgrave. When the production moved to London in 2011, Jones missed the Honorary Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles, but Sir Ben Kingsley personally presented him with his statuette after a matinee performance.
Jones was first married to actress-singer Julienne Marie. His second marriage to actress Cecilia Hart, which lasted 34 years, ended with her passing in 2016. He is survived by his son, Flynn Earl Jones.