Hollywood mourns the loss of iconic actor James Earl Jones, who has passed away at the age of 93. His agent confirmed that he died early on Monday morning, surrounded by family.
Best known for his legendary portrayal of Darth Vader in the Star Wars franchise, Jones also featured in a slew of beloved films such as Field of Dreams, Coming to America, and Conan the Barbarian. His voice became synonymous with the supervillain, becoming a pivotal part of cinematic history.
Tributes poured in from fans and colleagues alike, including heartfelt comments from notable figures in the industry. Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker, expressed his grief with a simple message, highlighting the profound impact Jones had on many.
Jones’s remarkable career included iconic roles beyond Darth Vader, such as Mufasa in Disney’s The Lion King and the memorable tagline “This is CNN.” His achievements were recognized through numerous awards, including Emmys, Tony Awards, a Grammy, and an honorary Oscar.
He first voiced Darth Vader in the groundbreaking 1977 film, Star Wars, and continued to lend his unique voice to the character in sequels like The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. He also returned for later projects, including Rogue One and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
While he is forever tied to the character of Darth Vader, it is important to note that the physical portrayal was performed by another actor, with Jones providing the iconic voice. In previous interviews, Jones expressed pride in being part of the mythos that surrounds Star Wars, delighting fans with recitals of his famous line, “I am your father.”
Despite the immense popularity of the role, he famously revealed that he was compensated just $9,000 for his work on the original film and did not seek credit for his contributions in the initial releases.
