James Earl Jones, the iconic voice of Darth Vader, died at 93

James Earl Jones, the acclaimed actor known for his iconic voice as Darth Vader in the "Star Wars" franchise and his roles in films like Field of Dreams, has passed away at the age of 93. His representatives at Independent Artist Group confirmed to Deadline that the actor died at his home in Dutchess County, New York, on September 9, 2024.

Jones, an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) winner, enjoyed a remarkable 60-year career in film, television, and stage. He voiced Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy (1977, 1980, 1983), as well as in later projects, including Rogue One and The Rise of Skywalker. His resonant voice also brought Mufasa to life in The Lion King (1994, 2019). Beyond these iconic roles, Jones lent his voice to the well-known “This is CNN” promo.

Jones’s contributions to Broadway were equally impactful. He won two Tony Awards for Best Actor in a Play, for his performances in The Great White Hope (1969) and Fences (1987). His career on stage was honored in 2017 when New York's Cort Theatre was renamed The James Earl Jones Theatre, with Broadway director Kenny Leon remarking, "You can’t think of an artist that has served America more."

Among his numerous accolades, Jones was awarded an honorary Oscar in 2012, a Lifetime Achievement Award from SAG-AFTRA in 2009, and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2002.