Celebrity

James Earl Jones, ‘one of the most iconic voices in cinema’, dies age 93

Matthew Hart
Sep 10, 2024
From his groundbreaking Broadway roles to his unforgettable film performances, James Earl Jones leaves behind a legacy of incredible talent and a voice that will forever echo in cinema history. Source: AP PHOTO.

The world of entertainment has lost one of its “most iconic voices” after James Earl Jones, the man renowned for bringing to life iconic characters such as Darth Vader from Star Wars and Mufasa from The Lion King, sadly passed away at the age of 93.

Jones’ agent, Barry McPherson, confirmed the beloved actor passed away on Monday, September 9 at his home. His cause of death was not revealed.

Born on January 17, 1931, Jones initially embarked on a career in medicine, majoring in pre-med at university. After serving in the United States Army during the Korean War, he eventually discovered his true calling on stage.

Jones made his Broadway debut in 1957 and quickly became renowned for his Shakespearean roles, including Othello, Hamlet, Coriolanus, and King Lear. His talent was recognised with a Tony Award in 1968 for his role in The Great White Hope, a performance he reprised in the 1970 film adaptation, which earned him Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations.

His remarkable career continued to flourish with his second Tony Award win in 1987 for his portrayal in August Wilson’s Fences. He received additional Tony nominations for his performances in On Golden Pond (2005) and The Best Man (2012). His Broadway credits also include Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (2008), Driving Miss Daisy (2010–2011), You Can’t Take It with You (2014), and The Gin Game (2015–2016). In 2017, he was honoured with a Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Jones’ film career began with Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove in 1964 before he achieved international acclaim for his iconic voice role as Darth Vader in the immensely popular Star Wars franchise, starting with the original 1977 film. Other notable films include Conan the Barbarian (1982), Coming to America (1988), Field of Dreams (1989), The Hunt for Red October (1990), The Sandlot (1993), and The Lion King (1994).

In recognition of his talent and achievements in the entertainment industry, he was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1985. His other accolades include the National Medal of Arts (1992), the Kennedy Center Honor (2002), the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award (2009), and the Honorary Academy Award (2011).

Fellow screen icon Mark Hamill, Jones’ co-star in Star Wars, was one of the first to pay tribute to the late actor. A wave of tributes from fans soon followed, reflecting on his remarkable career.

Jones’ is survived by his son Flynn Earl Jones

-with AP.

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