James Earl Jones, the renowned African-American actor known for voicing the iconic villain Darth Vader in “Star Wars,” passed away at the age of 93 in his home in the United States on the morning of the 9th. His agent Barry McPherson confirmed the sad news.
Born in 1931 in Mississippi, USA, Jones had a career spanning nearly 70 years in Hollywood and Broadway, appearing in numerous works such as “Field of Dreams,” “Coming To America,” “Conan the Barbarian,” and “The Lion King.”
Jones, a recipient of prestigious awards including Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards, was not only a talented actor but also renowned for his voice acting roles, most notably as Darth Vader in the “Star Wars” series and Mufasa in “The Lion King.” His powerful yet deep and resonant voice was recognizable to generations of fans. In 2022, a Broadway theater was renamed in honor of James Earl Jones.
In the 1977 film “Star Wars,” the imposing character of Darth Vader was portrayed physically by British actor David Prowse, but it was Jones’ voice that added depth and menace to the character. His iconic line, “No, I am your father,” became a memorable moment in cinematic history.
Upon news of Jones’ passing, LeVar Burton, known for his role in “Star Trek,” expressed that there will never be another person like him who embodies such grace.
Colman Domingo, an American actor, paid tribute to Jones, acknowledging his contributions to the arts and thanking him for his legacy.
Mark Hamill, who played Darth Vader’s son Luke Skywalker in “Star Wars,” mourned Jones’ passing on social media with the message “RIP Dad” and a broken heart emoji, honoring their on-screen relationship.
Director George Lucas praised Jones for bringing depth, sincerity, and meaning to all the roles he portrayed.
Dave Prowse, who played Darth Vader physically in the original “Star Wars” trilogy, passed away in January 2020 at the age of 85 due to Parkinson’s disease complications and COVID-19. The loss of both Prowse and Jones marks an end of an era for the beloved “Star Wars” franchise.