James Earl Jones, Beloved Star of Stage and Screen, Has Died at 93

James Earl Jones is being remembered as a once-in-a-generation talent. The actor — beloved by audiences of Star Wars and Field of Dreams among his many stage and screen successes — has died at the age of 93.

A representative for Jones at Independent Artist Group confirmed the news to Deadline. Jones died in his sleep at his home in Dutchess County, NY.

Jones was born in Mississippi on Jan. 17, 1931. His dad left early on and Jones was raised by his mom until the age of 6. It was then that his grandparents adopted him and raised him on a farm in Michigan. Struggling emotionally, he was mute for several years before a teacher helped him develop a love of poetry that changed his life.

James Earl Jones Captivated Generations of Fans of Film

James Earl Jones amassed over 200 credits in television and film. He first showcased his immense skill in the Stanley Kubrick classic, 1964’s Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.

Beginning in the 1970s, Jones would take on one of his greatest roles — Darth Vader in Star Wars. Jones played the space villain in the original trilogy of Star Wars films and went on to reprise the character in films throughout the subsequent trilogies. He also voiced Darth Vader in Obi-Wan Kenobi and Star Wars: Rebels.

Jones lent his talents to a number of roles that were unforgettable throughout this six-decade career — voicing Mufasa in The Lion King, was the commanding Mr. Mertle in The Sandlot, as well as his iconic appearances in Coming to America and The Hunt for Red October.

The EGOT Winner Also Was a Master of the Stage

James Earl Jones first got his start on Broadway in 1958’s “Sunrise At Campobello.” He won Tony Awards for “The Great White Hope” in 1969 and “Fences” in 1987.

Jones’ most recent appearance on Broadway came in “The Gin Game,” in 2017. In September 2022, Jones was honored by the theater community when New York City’s Cort Theatre, a 110-year-old fixture, was renamed the James Earl Jones Theatre.

Jones is survived by his son, Flynn Earl Jones.