In Memory of James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones, the actor behind the iconic voice of Darth Vader, has sadly passed away at the age of 93. Jones was a legendary actor both on and off the screen winning three Tony Awards, including a lifetime honor in 2017, two Emmys and a Grammy. On top of all of that he was recognized for lifetime achievement by the Academy Awards in 2011.

Jones was not always the confident and talented actor we know him as today. Growing up in Mississippi Jones struggled with a stutter for which he was relentlessly bullied for. He turned to theater and spoken word poetry to help him learn to speak and his career blossomed from there. After serving in the Korean war, Jones went on to Broadway to begin his industry defining career. 

While on Broadway Jones starred in numerous shows including On the Golden Pond, The Best Man, The Great White Hope, and Fences, the latter two both winning him a Tony. Throughout the 70s Jones acted in film, theater, and television. 

Then, in 1977, Jones was cast to voice the new, but soon to be iconic villain, Darth Vader. Jones was not actually inside the suit, that was British actor David Prowse. George Lucas didn’t like David Prowse’s voice for the role so instead cast Jones. At the time nobody knew Star Wars: A New Hope would be a hit and Jones was only paid $7,000 for his work. 

James Earl Jones was a defining voice in Star Wars as a series and everyone is devastated to hear of his passing. The franchise owes much to him and all his work.