The actor was known for playing Mufasa in The Lion King and Darth Vader in Star Wars
Legendary actor James Earl Jones has passed away at the age of 93.
He reportedly died this morning at his home in Dutchess County, New York.
His representatives at Independent Artist Group confirmed the news to Deadline.
Jones was a prolific actor whose legacy preceded itself.
While he was best known for voicing Mufasa in Disney‘s The Lion King, and perhaps even better known for creating and conquering as Darth Vader in Star Wars, Jones was a powerhouse across both stage and screen.
Jones was 93-years-old at the time of his death. (Walter McBride/WireImage)
He had his Broadway debut in 1958 at the Cort Theatre, which was later renamed as the James Earl Jones Theatre in 2022. He was also nominated for four Tony Awards throughout his career and proceeded to win two.
His first win came in 1969 for playing boxer Jack Johnson in The Great White Hope. And his second win was in 1987 for originating the role of Troy Maxson in August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Fences.
Jones’ illustrious career evidently extended beyond theater to both film and television with his filmography surpassing the double digits.
From Eddie Murphy’s 1988 comedy Coming to America, to John McTiernan’s The Hunt for Red October, Jones was a favorite of the silver screen winning two Emmy awards in 1991 and an honorary Oscar in 2011.
Jones was a legend of film, television, and theater. (Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
Amidst the tragic news, heartwarming tributes have been pouring in.
Star Trek actor LeVar Burton wrote on Twitter: “James Earl Jones… there will never be another of his particular combination of graces.”
Fellow Star Wars actor Mark Hamill who played Luke Skywalker and Jones’ son in the franchise also wrote: “[Rest in peace] dad,” with a broken heart emoji.
Actress Octavia Spencer also posted a tribute to her Instagram writing: “I’m incredibly saddened to learn of James Earl Jones passing today. Legendary doesn’t even begin to describe his iconic roles and impact on cinema forever. His voice and talent will be remembered always. Sending love to his family, friends and countless fans in all the galaxies, far, far away.”
A fan on Twitter wrote, “Rest in peace, James Earl Jones. One of the most powerful, evocative, emotional voices in cinema history.”
Jones was born in Mississippi in 1931, and is survived by his only son, Flynn Earl Jones.
His cause of death has yet to be shared.
