James Earl Jones, actor and voice of Darth Vader, has died aged 93

James Earl Jones, whose seven-decade career spanned stage and screen, has died aged 93.

Best known as the booming voice behind Star Wars villain Darth Vader, the actor – who also starred in Field of Dreams and voiced Mustafa in The Lion King – passed away at his home in Dutchess County, New York.

His representatives from Independent Artist Group confirmed the news to Deadline.

Along with his string of iconic roles, he was one of the world’s few entertainers to have won the EGOT – Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony – set of awards.

James also received two Primetime Emmy Awards, a Grammy Award and three Tony Awards and was presented with the Honorary Academy Award.

He reprised his Darth Vader role in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith in 2005 and in the franchise’s 2016 follow-up Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.   

He won a new generation of fans voicing Mufasa in the animated Lion King in 1994 and the hybrid live-action version of the cartoon released in 2019. 

Born on 17 January 1931, in Arkabutla, Mississippi, his other big-screen credits include a ruthless warlord in Conan the Barbarian, as well as roles in Eddie Murphy's comedy Coming to America, The Hunt for Red October and 1992’s Patriot Games. The actor will also be remembered for his trio of appearances on The Simpsons.

Nominated for a lead actor Oscar for his role in 1971’s The Great White Hope, he was given an honorary Academy Award in 2012. 

His two Emmy wins came in 1991 – for lead actor in a drama series for Gabriel’s Fire and supporting actor in a miniseries or a special for Heat Wave. He won his two Tonys for his stage work in a production of The Great White Hope in 1969 and for playing Troy Maxson in August Wilson’s Fences. James also received a Special Tony Award in 2017. 

His more recent appearances included roles in 2017’s The Gin Game on Broadway.

In 1968, James married actress and singer Julienne Marie, who he met while performing as Othello in 1964. They had no children and divorced in 1972 and 10 years later he married actress Cecilia Hart, with whom he had a son, Flynn. Cecilia died from ovarian cancer on 16 October 2016.

May he rest in peace. 

- Written by Bang! Showbiz and republished with permission