American actor James Earl Jones, renowned for his iconic voice as Darth Vader in the Star Wars franchise, has passed away at the age of 93.
Jones died early Monday morning surrounded by his family, as confirmed by his agent Barry McPherson.
Jones’s illustrious career spanned numerous films, including Field of Dreams, Coming to America, Conan the Barbarian, and The Lion King.
He was most celebrated for lending his distinctive, gravelly voice to the Star Wars supervillain, Darth Vader.
Mark Hamill, who portrayed Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars series, paid tribute by posting “RIP Dad” with a broken heart emoji alongside a news report of Jones’s passing.
Throughout his career, Jones won three Tony Awards, two Emmys, a Grammy, and received an honorary Oscar in 2011 for lifetime achievement.
In 1971, he became only the second Black man to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor, following Sidney Poitier.
Tributes have poured in from fellow actors and public figures. Star Trek actor LeVar Burton remarked, “There will never be another of his particular combinations of graces.”
Colman Domingo expressed gratitude, stating, “Thank you dear James Earl Jones for everything. A master of our craft. We stand on your shoulders. Rest now. You gave us your best.”
Kevin Costner, who worked with Jones in Field of Dreams, reflected on his legacy, noting, “That booming voice. That quiet strength. The kindness that he radiated.”
Oscar-winning actress Octavia Spencer praised Jones’s impact on cinema, saying his “voice and talent will be remembered always.”
Crystal Minkoff, wife of The Lion King co-director Rob Minkoff, shared a photo of Jones with a Mufasa statue and wrote, “Rest in Power, Mr. Jones. You made a young animator’s dream come true.”
CNN also honored Jones, highlighting his role as the voice behind their “This is CNN” tagline, saying, “That remarkable voice is just one of many things the world will miss about James.”
Born in Mississippi in January 1931, Jones struggled with a stammer during his childhood. He developed his famous voice as part of his effort to overcome the stammer.
Though he initially considered his role as Darth Vader to be a special effect job, Jones later acknowledged the significant impact of the role.
Jones also had a distinguished television career, including notable performances as the older Alex Haley in Roots: The Next Generation and in the drama Gabriel’s Fire.
His distinctive voice was featured in The Simpsons and he appeared in early episodes of Sesame Street. On stage, he was celebrated for his portrayals of Shakespearean characters, including Othello and King Lear.
Source-BBC
