James Ear Jones Passes Away at 93.

James Earl Jones, the legendary actor who broke through racial barriers and overcame a severe stutter to become a distinguished figure in film, television, and theater, has passed away at the age of 93. Known for his resonant, authoritative voice, which brought life to iconic characters like Darth Vader, King Mufasa, and the voice of CNN, Jones leaves behind a legacy that transcends generations.

Jones died Monday morning at his home in New York’s Hudson Valley, according to his agent, Barry McPherson. The cause of death was not immediately known.

Thank you for your wonderful work, James Earl Jones. Rest well 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/IeHR1uj1VA

— Dionne Grant (@DionneGrant) September 9, 2024

A trailblazer in his field, Jones became one of the first African American actors in a continuing role on a daytime drama with his role in “As the World Turns” in 1965. He enjoyed a prolific career well into his 80s, earning numerous accolades including two Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe, two Tony Awards, a Grammy, the National Medal of Arts, and the Kennedy Center Honors. He was also awarded an honorary Oscar and a special Tony Award for lifetime achievement. In recognition of his enduring contributions, a Broadway theater was renamed in his honor in 2022.

Even in his later years, Jones was known for his elegance, sharp wit, and unwavering dedication to his craft. When preparing for the 2015 Broadway run of “The Gin Game,” Jones arrived at rehearsals with the entire play memorized and detailed notes on the production. He often spoke of his deep commitment to storytelling.

Jones created some of cinema’s most memorable roles, including the reclusive writer in “Field of Dreams,” the legendary boxer Jack Johnson in “The Great White Hope,” author Alex Haley in “Roots: The Next Generations,” and a South African minister in “Cry, the Beloved Country.”

Jones was also a celebrated voice actor, lending his powerful voice to the sinister Darth Vader in “Star Wars,” the noble King Mufasa in Disney’s “The Lion King,” and famously announcing “This is CNN.” He won a Grammy in 1977 for his narration of “Great American Documents.”

Samuel L. Jackson once said of him, “If you were an actor or aspired to be an actor, if you pounded the pavement in these streets looking for jobs, one of the standards we always had was to be a James Earl Jones.”

Throughout his career, Jones appeared in numerous other films including “Coming To America,” “Dr. Strangelove,” “The Greatest” alongside Muhammad Ali, “Conan the Barbarian,” “Three Fugitives,” and as an admiral in Tom Clancy adaptations such as “The Hunt for Red October,” “Patriot Games,” and “Clear and Present Danger.” In the romantic comedy “Claudine,” Jones shared the screen with Diahann Carroll.

Jones made his Broadway debut in 1958 with “Sunrise at Campobello” and won Tony Awards for his roles in “The Great White Hope” (1969) and “Fences” (1987). He also received nominations for “On Golden Pond” (2005) and “Gore Vidal’s The Best Man” (2012). Known for his masterful command of both Shakespeare and contemporary playwrights like Athol Fugard, his more recent stage performances included “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” “Driving Miss Daisy,” “The Iceman Cometh,” and “You Can’t Take It With You.”

Jones’ profound impact on the arts and his ability to transcend the barriers of race and disability have solidified him as one of the most remarkable talents in American entertainment history.