STAR WARS And THE LION KING Icon James Earl Jones Has Passed Away Aged 93

Some sad news to report this evening as it’s been confirmed that the legendary James Earl Jones has passed away. The actor was best known for lending his voice to characters like Darth Vader and Mufasa.

By JoshWilding - Sep 09, 2024 08:09 PM EST

Filed Under: Star Wars

James Earl Jones has sadly passed away at his home in Dutchess County, New York. He was 93.

The actor was an icon thanks to his performances across film and television, though he just so happened to also have an iconic voice. While Jones suffered from a stutter as a child, he overcame that through his work in theatre and ultimately brought Darth Vader to life in the Star Wars franchise with a performance which remains unrivalled.

Of course, he could also be heard in The Lion King as Mufasa (both animated and live-action), another beloved character it’s hard to imagine anyone else playing. Conan the Barbarian was one of his most famous on-camera roles.

Jones received numerous accolades, including two Tony Awards, a Golden Globe, and an Emmy. He was also awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1992 and the Kennedy Center Honor in 2005.

"James Earl Jones is one of the most versatile and talented actors of our time, with an iconic body of work across film, stage and television," Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy said today. "The menacing baritone he brought to Darth Vader will forever be beloved by fans and regarded as one of the great villainous performances in cinema. His commanding presence on screen, and warm personality off screen, will be greatly missed."

"James was an incredible actor, a most unique voice both in art and spirit," adds George Lucas. "For nearly half a century he was Darth Vader, but the secret to it all is he was a beautiful human being. He gave depth, sincerity and meaning to all his roles, amongst the most important being a devoted husband to the late Ceci and dad to Flynn. James will be missed by so many of us...friends and fans alike."

Despite the actor’s passing, there’s a very good chance his version of Darth Vader will live on. In 2022, it was reported that Jones had signed over the rights to Disney and Lucasfilm to recreate his voice with artificial intelligence through the technology created by Ukrainian tech start-up Respeecher. That was heard in action in the Obi-Wan Kenobi TV series and was done to ensure his Vader can live on.

Talking in 2009 about the role, Jones recalled, "I remember on ['Empire'], when George had a chance to counsel me, he said, 'We don't know what we did right [on "A New Hope"], so let's just try what we did.' Naturally, I wanted to make Darth Vader more interesting, more subtle, more psychologically oriented. And he said, 'No. no. What we're finding out is you've got to keep his voice on a very narrow ban of inflection because he ain't human, really.' So, that was the answer."

He’d add, "When I first saw the dialogue that said, 'Luke, I am your father,' I said to myself, 'He's lying. I wonder how they are going to play that lie out?'"

Our thoughts go out to Jones’ family and friends at this time.

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108 Comments

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SuperCat - 9/9/2024, 8:45 PM

OriginalGusto1 - 9/9/2024, 9:02 PM

@SuperCat - Darth Vader...your 3rd favorite "superhero". My condolences.

SuperCat - 9/9/2024, 10:14 PM

@OriginalGusto1 - LMAO! I'm speechless!!

DaHULK2000 - 9/9/2024, 8:48 PM

R.I.P. My Brother

DrReedRichards - 9/9/2024, 8:49 PM

What a legend, and at 93, a life well lived.

Rest in peace, Sir. Thank you for everything.

TheShellyMan - 9/9/2024, 8:49 PM

RIP to the GOAT.

LukeCage2155 - 9/9/2024, 8:50 PM

HermanM - 9/9/2024, 8:50 PM

Rest In Peace to one of the all time greats.

OriginalGusto1 - 9/9/2024, 9:04 PM

@HermanM - Nice comp!

HermanM - 9/10/2024, 2:53 AM

@OriginalGusto1 - thanks

SauronthePower - 9/10/2024, 3:38 AM

@HermanM - gotta find the one where he plays one of the 3 kings in Zefferelli’s ‘Jesus of Nazareth’ alongside Donald Pleasance

Vader and Loomis limited edition teamup 🤷‍♂️

st1s - 9/10/2024, 9:16 AM

@HermanM - you could add the CNN Logo. Love 'em or hate 'em, you can't help but hear THIS is CNN in his voice

HermanM - 9/10/2024, 9:27 AM

@st1s - YES

asherman93 - 9/9/2024, 8:51 PM

He has taken his place in the Circle of Life.

Kadara - 9/9/2024, 8:53 PM

That incredible voice and iconic roles. RIP and thank you legend.

ModHaterSLADE - 9/9/2024, 8:53 PM

The man had one hell of a career, and easily one of the most iconic voices in the business.

Dotanuki - 9/9/2024, 8:54 PM

His voice was a huge part of my adolescence. He was also a great person by all accounts. Terrible loss. Thank you so much James Earl Jones.

WeaponXCII - 9/9/2024, 8:56 PM

TheVisionary25 - 9/9/2024, 8:58 PM

He was not just one of the most iconic voices in all of cinema but a true legend of stage & screen.

He played a myriad of roles in his illustrious career but of course , Darth Vader & Mufasa are the ones that connect with me the most…

Two diametrically different fathers haha but both were characters that cemented their place in cinema history and in my childhood aswell as countless others.

RIP sir and thank you for the memories.

IAmAHoot - 9/9/2024, 8:59 PM

A voice for the ages, and a smile that could melt the coldest soul. Beloved man.
I constantly (legitimately) say to myself very often, "It means we're going to Minnesota to find Moonlight Graham." And it's only because of how Mr. Jones spoke it.

TheVisionary25 - 9/9/2024, 9:01 PM

Also a special shout out to his as James Greer aswell from “The Hunt for Red October” to “Clear & Present Danger”…

He brought such a warmth aswell as authority to the role that was irreplaceable regardless of how big or small the characters role was in the films.

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OriginalGusto1 - 9/9/2024, 9:03 PM

Man, this sucks. One of the greatest Michiganders.

Forthas - 9/9/2024, 9:03 PM

An amazing talent and role model who will be sorely missed

blitzkreg - 9/9/2024, 9:04 PM

DON'T FORGET CONAN THE BARBARIAN. HE WAS ONE CREEPY VILLIAN IN THAT FILM.

OriginalGusto1 - 9/9/2024, 9:05 PM

Should have had at least 2 academy awards.

mastakilla39 - 9/9/2024, 9:06 PM

Well disney bought his AI voice so they are set until a full reboot of star wars in the far distant future.

r1g0r - 9/9/2024, 9:08 PM

A deep, powerful, soothing voice.

At 65 years old, I am watching all the great screen stars flicker out.

requiescat in pace, James.
You are remembered.

RockReigns - 9/9/2024, 9:08 PM

Live long and prosper.

GeneralZod - 9/9/2024, 9:10 PM

God blessed us with JEJ. Now He gets him back. RIP.

MisterBones - 9/9/2024, 9:14 PM

An ACTUAL LEGEND. May he rest well.

Keja - 9/9/2024, 9:15 PM

RIP to the greatest villain. RIP to the greatest voice. No one will ever top his legendary performance.

FlixMentallo21 - 9/9/2024, 9:15 PM

RIP to the one man who could deliver as powerful a reading of Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven” as Vincent Price.

CAPTAINPINKEYE - 9/9/2024, 9:18 PM

😢
RIP

comicfan100 - 9/9/2024, 9:20 PM

He had a legendary run. Rest easy.

KaptainKhaos - 9/9/2024, 9:24 PM

ALSO R.I.P JOHN CASSADAY

TWO GREATS IN ONE DAY

GeneralZod - 9/9/2024, 11:39 PM

@KaptainKhaos - at 52??? What in the [frick]? Oh man.

ObserverIO - 9/10/2024, 4:02 AM

@KaptainKhaos - Holy shit!
(also found out that Michael Zulli very recently passed too)

ObserverIO - 9/10/2024, 4:04 AM

In memory of both:

Clintthahamster - 9/10/2024, 10:00 AM

@ObserverIO - Perfect.

Clintthahamster - 9/10/2024, 10:08 AM

@ObserverIO - Aw man, Zulli was an all-timer for me. I came across his work in TMNT initially, and then later found him in Sandman. What a legend.

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