James Earl Jones, Iconic Voice Behind Darth Vader, Mufasa, and CNN, Passes Away

James Earl Jones, the legendary actor behind some of the most iconic voices in film and television, has passed away at the age of 93. According to Deadline, Jones’ death was confirmed by his representatives at Independent Artist Group.

Born in 1931, Jones’ career spanned over six decades, during which he became synonymous with powerful, commanding voices. One of his earliest and most notable roles was as Dr. Strangelove in the 1964 classic of the same name, starring alongside Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, and Sterling Hayden.

Dr. Strangelove (7/8) Movie CLIP – Kong Rides the Bomb (1964) HD – YouTube

In 1970, Jones won an Academy Award for best actor for his portrayal of Jack Johnson in The Great White Hope, a role he had previously won a Tony Award for on stage. He went on to receive a Golden Globe nomination for his performance in the 1974 film Claudine.

But perhaps Jones is most famous for his role as Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy, a character he did not physically portray but brought to life with his distinctive voice. As he said in an appearance on The Dick Cavett Show, it’s a role that’s often misunderstood – people think he’s the "voice of God," but really, he’s just trying to make a living.

James Earl Jones’ Top Ten Things That Sound Cool | Letterman – YouTube

Jones’ voice has been heard in countless films, television shows, and commercials, but he’s also lent his talents to video games, including the Lion King series and Command and Conquer: Tiberian Sun. Despite struggling with a stutter, Jones has spoken publicly about embracing his unique voice and finding ways to work with it.

Ironically, despite being known for his powerful voice, Jones has said that he’s not entirely comfortable with it. "I’m lucky that it comes out enough to talk to you right now," he said in 1995. "I have no presumptions or no arrogance about my voice. You want to think that I might even be in love with my voice. I’m not, because it would be the most unfaithful lover I’ve ever had, because it fails me often."

At the time of his death, Jones was 93 years old. His legacy will live on through the countless characters he brought to life with his incredible voice.