James Earl Jones has died aged 93
The legendary actor was known for his roles as Darth Vader as well as Musafa in The Lion King.
The cinema legend also starred in Field of Dreams, Dr Strangelove, and The Hunt for Red October, as well as a host of Broadway shows.
Jones was one of the few actors to earn the coveted EGOT status. He won two Primetime Emmy Awards, a Daytime Emmy, a Grammy Award, and three Tony Awards, and was given an Honorary Academy Award for his career.
Representatives for the actor broke the news to Deadline.
His cause of death is yet to be confirmed.
Originally from Mississippi, Jones had a severe stutter during his childhood and was nearly mute for eight years of his life.
“In Sunday school, I’d try to read my lessons and the children behind me were falling on the floor with laughter… by the time I got to school, my stuttering was so bad that I gave up trying to speak properly,” he previously told the Daily Mail.
However, he says an English teacher at high school helped him overcome the stutter, by reading poetry in front of the class.
“I don’t say I was ‘cured,’” he told NPR. “I just work with it.”
Tributes have been pouring in following the death of legendary actor James Earl Jones.
Thank you for your wonderful work, James Earl Jones. Rest well 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/IeHR1uj1VA
— Dionne Grant (@DionneGrant) September 9, 2024
Rest in peace, James Earl Jones. One of the most powerful, evocative, emotional voices in cinema history. This is the first scene that came to mind, it’s one of my favorites of all time. pic.twitter.com/AcMSv0dttw
— joe bro (@jbromovies) September 9, 2024
“We are all connected in the great circle of life” – RIP James Earl Jones pic.twitter.com/UpCrulIDfX
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) September 9, 2024
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