James Earl Jones, a legend of the screen and stage best known for his voice acting roles in franchises like Star Wars and The Lion King, has passed away.
The star died at the age of 93 and his representatives confirmed the news to Deadline. He died peacefully on Monday morning at his home in Dutchess County, New York.
His co-star from the Star Wars films, Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker, simply took to X with the news and wrote: "#RIP dad," with a broken-hearted emoji. Other fans have also paid tribute on social media, with the hashtag "Rest in Power" quickly trending for Jones.
Jones was often described as one of "America's most distinguished and versatile" actors thanks to his incredibly long and varied list of credits spanning the screen and the stage.
Born in 1931 in Mississippi, he initially started out as a pre-med student and served with the United States Army before the Korean War, before making his way to the stage.
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He made his Broadway debut in 1957 and acted in several Shakespeare plays, winning his first Tony Award in 1968 for his performance in The Great White Hope, and reprising his role in the 1970 film adaptation, earning a Golden Globe and Oscar nod for the same.
Jones earned a second Tony Award for his turn in Fences and received several more nominations, with other notable credits including Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, On Golden Pond, and Driving Miss Daisy.
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His film career began in 1964 with the iconic Dr. Strangelove, and his place was cemented in the mainstream when he began voicing the storied antagonist Darth Vader in the Star Wars franchise, starting with 1977's Star Wars.
The role earned him plaudits and made him one of Hollywood's most recognizable voices, a notion that was solidified when he voiced lion patriarch Mufasa in 1994's The Lion King.
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Some of his other most memorable film roles include Coming to America (1988), Field of Dreams (1989), The Hunt for Red October (1990), the 2019 version of The Lion King, and Coming 2 America (2021).
He was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1985, received the National Medal of Arts in 1992, the Kennedy Center Honor in 2002, and an Honorary Academy Award in 2011. He also has two Primetime Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award, and a Grammy Award.
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While Jones hasn't had many documented challenges with his health, he did open up in 2016 about his battle with type-2 diabetes, which he kept a secret for nearly 20 years.
Jones was married twice during his lifetime, first to actress and singer Julienne Marie in 1969, who he met while performing in Othello on Broadway in 1964. They divorced in 1972. He then married actress Cecilia Hart in 1982, and they welcomed son Flynn that same year. Cecilia passed away in 2016. Jones is now survived by his son.