James Earl Jones, who overcame both racial discrimination and a severe stutter to become a renowned figure in theater and film—best known for lending his powerful voice to iconic characters such as CNN’s announcer, Mufasa in The Lion King, and Darth Vader—has passed away at 93.
His agent, Barry McPherson, confirmed that Jones died at his home in the Hudson Valley, New York, on Monday morning. The cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
Jones was a trailblazer, becoming one of the first African American actors to hold a regular role in a daytime drama (As the World Turns) in 1965. His career spanned decades, winning him two Emmys, a Golden Globe, two Tony Awards, a Grammy, the National Medal of Arts, Kennedy Center Honors, and both an honorary Oscar and a special Tony for lifetime achievement. In 2022, a Broadway theater was named in his honor.
Known for his elegance and tireless work ethic, Jones memorized entire scripts ahead of rehearsals, as he did for the 2015 Broadway revival of The Gin Game. He once explained his dedication by saying, “The need to storytell has always been with us,” recalling ancient campfire tales of survival.
Among his most memorable film roles were as the reclusive writer in Field of Dreams, Jack Johnson in The Great White Hope, Alex Haley in Roots: The Next Generation, and a South African minister in Cry, the Beloved Country. His distinctive voice also made him a sought-after voice actor, playing Darth Vader in Star Wars and King Mufasa in The Lion King. He even announced the iconic “This is CNN” during station breaks.
Samuel L. Jackson once said, “If you were an actor, one of the standards was to be a James Earl Jones.” Jones also appeared in films like Dr. Strangelove, Conan the Barbarian, and several Tom Clancy adaptations, including The Hunt for Red October. He showed his romantic side in Claudine, opposite Diahann Carroll.
LeVar Burton paid tribute to Jones on social media, saying, “There will never be another like him.”
Jones’ Broadway career began in 1958, and he won Tony Awards for The Great White Hope (1969) and Fences (1987). He was also celebrated for his Shakespearean performances and appeared in recent productions like Driving Miss Daisy and You Can’t Take It With You.
Born in 1931 in Arkabutla, Mississippi, Jones was raised by his grandparents after his father, Robert Earl Jones, left the family. Jones developed a stutter at a young age and communicated through notes until a teacher helped him overcome it by encouraging him to read poetry aloud.
At the University of Michigan, Jones switched from pre-med to drama after failing an exam and later served in the Army. He eventually reunited with his father in New York, where they supported themselves by waxing floors while pursuing acting.
Jones gained stardom with his role in The Great White Hope, which earned him a Pulitzer Prize and an Oscar nomination. He was married twice, first to Julienne Marie and later to Cecilia Hart, with whom he had a son, Flynn Earl.
In 2022, the Cort Theatre on Broadway was renamed in his honor, with tributes from Samuel L. Jackson, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, and others. Director Kenny Leon praised Jones for his impact on America, noting that his artistry made a lasting difference.
Reflecting on his life, Jones once said that while he didn’t see himself as a political activist, he believed that through his art, he could change how people feel.
