Legendary Actor James Earl Jones Has Passed Away At 93
via CBS Evening News / Youtube
Legendary actor James Earl Jones has died at the age of 93. The iconic star reportedly passed away this morning at his home in Dutchess County, New York. His representatives at Independent Artist Group confirmed the news to Deadline.
James Earl Jones was a towering figure in the world of acting, known for his deep, resonant voice and powerful performances. Though he may be most famous for voicing Mufasa in Disney’s The Lion King and for bringing Darth Vader to life in Star Wars, his influence stretched across both stage and screen.
Jones made his Broadway debut in 1958 at the Cort Theatre, which was renamed in his honor as the James Earl Jones Theatre in 2022. Over his storied career, he earned four Tony Award nominations and won twice. His first Tony win came in 1969 for his role as boxer Jack Johnson in The Great White Hope. He took home his second Tony Award in 1987 for originating the role of Troy Maxson in August Wilson’s acclaimed drama Fences.
Beyond the theater, Jones had an extensive film and television career. His film credits ranged from Eddie Murphy’s 1988 comedy Coming to America to John McTiernan’s thriller The Hunt for Red October. In 1991, he earned two Emmy Awards, which made him a favorite diverse actor on both the big and small screens. He also received an honorary Oscar in 2011 for his contributions to cinema.
Following the news of his passing, tributes from fans and fellow actors flooded social media. LeVar Burton of Star Trek fame wrote, “James Earl Jones… there will never be another of his particular combination of graces.” Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker, tweeted a touching message: “[Rest in peace] dad,” along with a broken heart emoji. Actress Octavia Spencer expressed her sorrow on Instagram, saying, “Legendary doesn’t even begin to describe his iconic roles and impact on cinema forever.”
Born in Mississippi in 1931, Jones is survived by his son, Flynn Earl Jones. As of now, the cause of his death has not been disclosed.
Watch some of his best work below:
