James Earl Jones dies, aged 93: Tributes pour in for the legend of stage and screen
10 September 2024, 10:59
The voice of Darth Vader is remembered by friends and fans.
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James Earl Jones has died at the age of 93, prompting an outpouring of tributes.
The acting legend died yesterday morning (September 9) at his home in Dutchess County, New York.
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James Earl Jones was an acclaimed stage actor who became an iconic screen presence and TV star.
He made his Broadway debut back in 1957 in Sunrise at Campobello and won the Tony Award for Best Actor in 1968 for The Great White Hope and again in 1987 for Fences.
Jones' first big screen role came in Stanley Kubrick's 1964 satirical masterpiece Dr Strangelove.
As well as his on-screen roles, Jones gained prominence for voicing the imposing characters of Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy, and Mufasa in Disney animation The Lion King, a role he reprised in the 2019 computer-animated remake.
Among his countless other movies included an eclectic range of parts in Coming to America, Field of Dreams, The Hunt for Red October and Sommersby.
Jones's TV roles included appearances or lead roles in NYPD, Paris, Roots: The Next Generation and many more. He won Primetime Emmys for his acting in Heat Wave and Gabriel's Fire.
This man was the living embodiment of artistry, integrity, creativity, and dignity. James Earl Jones is the sole reason I became an actor. He stirred a vocation in me that gave voice to my unsung heart songs. By example, he led me on the exploration of my own personal humanity… pic.twitter.com/gze67IuVOI
— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) September 9, 2024
A Grammy win for a spoken word album in 1977 and an honorary Oscar in 2011 made Jones an EGOT, and he also won a Kennedy Center Honor in 2002 and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement award in 2009.
Star Wars director George Lucas and Luke Skywalker actor Mark Hamill were among those leading the tributes to Jones.
"James was an incredible actor, a most unique voice both in art and spirit," said Lucas.
RIP James Earl Jones, the legendary actor who memorably appeared in the iconic baseball movies "Field of Dreams" and "The Sandlot"
— MLB (@MLB) September 9, 2024
Jones gave a moving recitation of our National Anthem at the 1993 MLB All-Star Game in Baltimore pic.twitter.com/1rFfxe5IFY
"For nearly half a century he was Darth Vader, but the secret to it all is he was a beautiful human being.
"He gave depth, sincerity and meaning to all his roles, amongst the most important being a devoted husband to the late Ceci and dad to Flynn. James will be missed by so many of us... friends and fans alike."
Hamill posted the news of Jones's passing on Twitter/X, adding "RIP Dad" in reference to their on-screen relationship.
"Look at the stars..." ✨
— NASA (@NASA) September 9, 2024
Today, we look up at the stars and remember the great James Earl Jones. As Mufasa, he reminded us that those stars will always be there to guide us. pic.twitter.com/whVBrH7Tk1
Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy said: "James Earl Jones is one of the most versatile and talented actors of our time, with an iconic body of work across film, stage and television.
"The menacing baritone he brought to Darth Vader will forever be beloved by fans and regarded as one of the great villainous performances in cinema.
"His commanding presence on screen, and warm personality off-screen, will be greatly missed."
