The celebrated actor James Earl Jones, renowned for his portrayal of the iconic Star Wars antagonist Darth Vader and as Mufasa in The Lion King, has passed away at the age of 93.
Jones, who battled diabetes for many years, succumbed at his residence surrounded by his loved ones, as reported by his agent, Barry McPherson. The specific cause of death was not disclosed.
His career included appearances in films such as Conan the Barbarian, where he played Eddie Murphy’s father in Coming to America, as well as leading roles in The Hunt for Red October and Patriot Games.
However, it was his legendary voice as the menacing Darth Vader that solidified his fame.
Jones with Star Wars creator George Lucas in 2007. Pic: AP
Jones poses with Darth Vader at the premiere of ‘Star Wars Episode II’, 2002. Pic: Reuters
Mark Hamill, who portrayed Luke Skywalker, Vader’s son in Star Wars, expressed his condolences on social media with a tweet: “RIP dad.”
Jones achieved the distinguished EGOT status, winning Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards throughout his illustrious career.
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.”
The Empire State Building shared a photograph from earlier this year, showcasing the iconic structure illuminated with a formidable image of Lord Vader during its Star Wars dynamic light show event.
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A fan remarked: “Some of our childhoods (mine) just died today. We’ll miss you Darth, and Mufasa. RIP.”
Another fan described Jones as “one of the most potent, stirring, and emotional voices in cinema history,” while sharing a clip of him as Mufasa in The Lion King.
Jones was the sole member from The Lion King’s original voice cast to reprise his role in the 2019 movie remake.
In addition, a fan labeled the actor “a class act” and “one of my all-time favorites,” stating: “RIP James Earl Jones. You will be dearly missed.”
Fellow Star Wars actor Samuel L. Jackson had previously remarked: “If you were an actor or aspired to be one, and you traversed these streets searching for roles, one of the benchmarks we always aimed for was to become a James Earl Jones.”
Jones attending the premiere of the Lion King in 1994. Pic: AP
One of Jones’ earliest performances was a minor role in Stanley Kubrick’s renowned Cold War satire, Dr Strangelove.
His extensive collection of accolades encompassed Tonys for The Great White Hope in 1969 and Fences in 1987 on Broadway, as well as Emmys in 1991 for Gabriel’s Fire and Heat Wave on television.
He also earned a Grammy for best spoken word album, Great American Documents in 1977.
James Earl Jones alongside Luke Skywalker actor Mark Hamill in 1987. Pic: AP
Despite never receiving a competitive Academy Award, he was nominated for best actor for the film adaptation of The Great White Hope and was honored with an honorary Oscar in 2011.
Jones was “capable of transitioning in moments from youthful innocence to almost-biblical fury and somehow conveying all the nuances in between,” the Washington Post noted in a 1987 critique of Fences.
