James Earl Jones Dies: Revered ‘Field Of Dreams’ Star, Darth Vader & ‘Lion King’ Voice Was 93

James Earl Jones, the revered actor who voiced Star Wars villain Darth Vader, starred in Field of Dreams and many other films and Broadway shows and is an EGOT winner, died this morning at his home in Dutchess County, NY. He was 93.

His reps at Independent Artist Group confirmed the news to Deadline.

Beginning with the Stanley Kubrick classic Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964), Jones went on to appear in some of the most successful films of all time. He probably is best known for his voice role as Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy. He also reprised the villainous role in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005) and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016).

Jones also Mufasa both in The Lion King animated pic (1994) and hybrid/live-action film (2019). He also lent his sonorous voice to the famous “This is CNN” promo campaign for the cable news network.

Born on January 17, 1931, in Arkabutla, MS, his many big-screen credits also films such Conan the Barbarian (1982), Coming to America (1988), The Hunt for Red October (1990), The Sandlot (1990), Patriot Games (1992), and Sneakers (1992). He also has appeared on The Simpsons three times.

Also a commanding presence on the Broadway stage, Jones earned four competitive Tony Award nominations for Best Actor in a Play, winning twice for his performances as Jack Jefferson in The Great White Hope in 1969 and as Troy Maxson in August Wilson’s Fences in 1987. He received a Special Tony Award at 2017 ceremony.

He most recently appeared on Broadway in The Gin Game (2017) and also starred in You Can’t Take It with You (2014), Gore Vidal’s The Best Man (2012)

Jones also was a 2002 Kennedy Center Honoree and received Lifetime Achievement Awards from SAG-AFTRA in 2009 and by the National Board of Review in 1995.

from dealine.com

https://deadline.com/2024/09/james-earl-jones-dead-1236082801/