Remembering James Earl Jones: Celebrating the Iconic Voice Behind Darth Vader and Mufasa

You can’t think of James Earl Jones without hearing his voice.

That booming basso profundo, conveying instant dignity or menace, was Jones’ signature instrument. It brought power to all his stage and movie roles, most indelibly as Darth Vader in “Star Wars,” Mufasa in “The Lion King” and as the voice of CNN.

That remarkable voice is just one of many things the world will miss about the beloved actor, who died Monday, according to his agent. He was 93.

Jones was surrounded by his family when he died, his representative said. No cause of death was shared.

“From the gentle wisdom of Mufasa to the menacing threat of Darth Vader, James Earl Jones gave voice to some of the greatest characters in cinema history,” said Bob Iger, chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company, in a statement. “A celebrated stage actor with nearly 200 film and television credits to his name, the stories he brought to life with a uniquely commanding presence and a true richness of spirit have left an indelible mark on generations of audiences.”

Jones had a distinguished career that spanned some 60 years and took him from a small-town theater in northern Michigan to the highest reaches of Hollywood.

(CNN)

Photo – CNN