James Earl Jones, the actor whose inimitable baritone brought life to Darth Vader and whose powerful presence graced both stage and screen for over six decades, died on Monday at his home in Dutchess County, New York. He was 93.
Jones's representatives announced his passing but did not provide a cause of death.
Born in Mississippi in 1931, Jones overcame a childhood stammer to become one of the most recognizable voices in entertainment. His career spanned Broadway, Hollywood blockbusters, and voice acting roles that became cultural touchstones.
Jones's breakthrough came in 1967 with his Tony Award-winning performance as boxer Jack Jefferson in "The Great White Hope." He reprised the role in the 1970 film adaptation, earning an Oscar nomination and solidifying his status as a leading man in Hollywood.
But it was his voice work as Darth Vader in the Star Wars franchise that etched Jones into pop culture history. George Lucas, Star Wars creator, called him "an incredible actor, a most unique voice both in art and spirit." Jones voiced the iconic villain in six films, from 1977's "A New Hope" to 2019's "The Rise of Skywalker."
Jones also leant his voice to Mufasa in Disney's "The Lion King" (1994), a role he revisited in the 2019 remake.
On stage, Jones was a formidable presence. He won a second Tony for his role in August Wilson's "Fences" in 1987 and continued to perform Shakespeare well into his 80s, including a 2013 production of "Much Ado About Nothing" opposite Vanessa Redgrave.
His film career included memorable roles in "Conan the Barbarian," "Coming to America," "Field of Dreams," and "The Hunt for Red October." Jones's ability to convey both menace and warmth made him a versatile character actor in demand for decades.
Tributes poured in from colleagues and admirers. Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker, simply wrote: "RIP dad." Kevin Costner, his "Field of Dreams" co-star, praised Jones's "booming voice" and "quiet strength."
Jones was married twice, to Julienne Marie and later to Cecilia Hart, who died in 2016. He is survived by his son Flynn, also an actor.
James Earl Jones's voice may have been his most famous attribute, but it was his talent, perseverance, and dignity that truly defined his remarkable career.
* The Guardian contributed to this article.
