James Earl Jones, Renowned Actor and Voice of Darth Vader, Passes Away at 93

By Bill Trott and Lisa Richwine

LOS ANGELES – James Earl Jones, the distinguished American actor known for his powerful presence on stage and screen, passed away on Monday at the age of 93. He was famed for his role as the iconic villain Darth Vader and had triumphed over a childhood stutter to attain a voice that resonated around the world.

Jones, who had long battled diabetes, died at his home surrounded by family, as confirmed by his agent, Barry McPherson. The cause of death has not been disclosed.

With his commanding voice, Jones held a unique ability to convey authority and wisdom, as seen in roles like Mufasa in "The Lion King" and in many performances of Shakespeare’s works. At the same time, he could evoke fear as Darth Vader in the "Star Wars" saga. When asked if he resented being so closely associated with Vader, Jones lightheartedly stated that he cherished being part of the "myth" and was happy to recite the line "I am your father" for fans, including Mark Hamill, who paid tribute to him online.

Despite his iconic role, Jones remarked that he earned a modest sum for voicing Vader—just $9,000 for the first film—and felt it was merely a special effects role, choosing not to demand credits in the first two films.

His illustrious career garnered numerous accolades, including Tony Awards for "The Great White Hope" in 1969 and "Fences" in 1987, along with two Emmys in 1991 for "Gabriel’s Fire" and "Heat Wave." He also received a Grammy for best spoken word album in 1977.

Although he never clinched a competitive Academy Award, Jones was nominated for best actor for "The Great White Hope" and received an honorary Oscar in 2011. His film debut was in Stanley Kubrick’s 1964 classic "Dr. Strangelove" and he went on to star in notable films such as "Field of Dreams," "Cry, the Beloved Country," "Conan the Barbarian," and "Coming to America."

Beyond film, Jones’s commanding voice was familiar in television commercials and served as the authoritative introduction for CNN’s newscasts for many years.

A Complex Background

James Earl Jones was born on January 17, 1931, in Arkabutla, Mississippi. He had a diverse ethnic background, including Irish, African, and Cherokee heritage. His father, Robert Earl Jones, a prizefighter-turned-actor, left the family early in James’s life, leading to his upbringing by maternal grandparents who prohibited contact with him. The two did not reunite until James moved to New York in the 1950s, where they eventually performed together.

When he was around five, his family moved to a farm in Michigan, and it was during this transition that he ceased speaking due to his stutter. For nearly a decade, he remained largely mute until an English teacher encouraged him to recite a poem to the class. This experience helped him regain his voice and sparked his interest in acting.

After studying drama at the University of Michigan, Jones’s theater performances began drawing critical acclaim. His breakthrough role was in "The Great White Hope," a play that tackled racism through the lens of boxing, earning him considerable praise.

A celebrated figure in theater, he portrayed various Shakespearean characters, including Hamlet and Othello, and also delivered a notable performance as Paul Robeson on Broadway in 1977, as well as in the miniseries "Roots: The Next Generation."

Jones was known for his versatility, seamlessly transitioning between boyish charm and intense emotion, as highlighted in critical reviews.

Throughout his life, Jones was a pioneer for Black actors, breaking barriers in both film and theater. He achieved fame during the height of the Civil Rights Movement but chose a quieter path, letting his work speak to his beliefs rather than directly engaging in activism.

In a reflective 2013 interview, he expressed an understanding that some may have perceived his non-participation as cowardice, yet he preferred using his performances to convey messages aligned with civil rights ideals.

Spokesperson Dominic Hawkins from the NAACP in Washington stated that Jones’s significant roles, even during the era of Jim Crow laws in the South, were impactful for the Black community, emphasizing that his contributions to civil rights lay in his compelling representation on stage and screen.