James Earl Jones, who was universally regarded as one of the greatest actors of all time, passed away on Monday, September 9. He was 93.
Jones’ representative Barry McPherson confirmed the acclaimed actor’s passing in a brief statement.
“He passed this morning surrounded by his loved ones,” McPherson’s statement read.. “He was a great man.”
No cause of death was given.
In a career that spanned more than six decades, Jones was an EGOT winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards, displaying mastery on the Broadway stage, on TV, and on the big screen.
Born in Arkabutla, Mississippi on January 17, 1931, he was drawn to poetry and acting which helped him overcome shyness and a childhood stutter.
After being a pre-med major at the University of Michigan, he enlisted in the United States Army and served during the Korean War before launching his acting career.
Making his Broadway debut in 1957, Jones went on to play in several Shakespeare plays including Othello, Hamlet, Coriolanus, and King Lear and he won his first Tony Award in 1968 for his role in The Great White Hope playing Jack Johnson, the first African American to win the World Heavyweight Championship. He would reprise the role in the 1970 film adaptation which garnered him his first Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations. Jones also gave riveting performances on numerous Broadway plays such as August Wilson’s Fences in 1987.
With his unmistakable bass voice, Jones achieved global fame as the voice of “Darth Vader” in the George Lucas saga Star Wars: A New Hope.
Making his Broadway debut at the Cort Theatre in 1957—later renamed the James Earl Jones Theatre in 2022—Jones went on to play in several Shakespeare plays, including Othello, Hamlet, Coriolanus and King Lear. He won his first Tony Award in 1968 for his role in The Great White Hope. He would reprise the role in the 1970 film adaptation, which garnered him his first Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations.
With his unmistakable bass voice, Jones achieved global fame as the voice of “Darth Vader” in the George Lucas saga Star Wars: A New Hope. During an interview with Broadway.com, Jones spoke about how the role of Darth Vader stayed with him throughout his career.
“I’ve done a King Lear, too! Do the kids know that? No, they have the Darth Vader poster to sign. But it’s OK,” Jones said in a 2010 Broadway.com interview. “When you appear before an audience, you learn to accept whatever they give you. Hopefully, they give you their ears, as Antony said.”
James would go on to reprise his iconic role in the sequels The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983).
One of Jones’ most defining roles was playing Rupert “Roop” B. Marshall in Claudine alongside Diahann Carroll. His performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
His other film credits include The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings (1976), Coming to America (1988)The Meteor Man (1993), The Lion King (1994), Welcome Hold Roscoe Jenkins (2008), and he reprised his role as Mufasa in the remake of The Lion King (2019), and Coming 2 America (2021), his final role.
Among the many accolades Jones received during his illustrious career was being inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame, the National Medal of Arts in 1992, the Kennedy Center Honor in 2002, the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2009, the Honorary Academy Award in 2011, and the historic Cort Theatre was renamed to honor him in 2022.
Tributes poured from so many on social media to honor James’s life and work including Coleman Domingo.
“Thank you dear James Earl Jones for everything. A master of our craft. We stand on your shoulders,” Domingo’s post read. “Rest now. You gave us your best.”
We at EBONY offer prayers and deepest condolences to the family and friends of James Earl Jones.
