SAN LUIS POTOSI, Mexico.- James Earl Jonesthe prolific film, television and theater actor whose unmistakable voice was immortalized with the villain of Star WarsDarth Vader died Monday at his home in Dutchess County, New York, at the age of 93.
His death was confirmed by the magazine Varietyaccording to a statement from the actor’s representative. No details were given about the cause of death.
Jones established himself as one of the pioneering African-American actors of his generation, achieving a versatile career spanning more than 60 years, from his Broadway debut in 1958 at the Cort Theatre – renamed the James Earl Jones Theatre in 2022 – to his most recent performance in Coming 2 America2021.
Some of his performances have gone down in history, such as his role as King Jaffe Joffer in the 1988 Eddie Murphy comedy Coming to America, Darth Vaderthe voice of King Mustafa in the Disney animated film The Lion Kingin 1994, and Vice Admiral James Greer, deputy director of the CIA, in three Jack Ryan films: The hunt for Red October (1990), Patriot Games (1992) and Clear and Present Danger (1994).
He appeared in more than 80 films, and his feature film debut was in the Cold War satire Dr. Strangelove (1964), by Stanley Kubrick.
The actor was nominated for four Tony Awards and won two, in 1969 for playing boxer Jack Johnson in The Great White Hope (which he reprised on film in 1970, receiving his only Oscar nomination), and in 1987 for playing the role of Troy Maxson in August Wilson’s play FencesPulitzer Prize winner.
He was also nominated for eight Primetime Emmy Awards, winning two in 1991, as a supporting actor in the miniseries Heat Waveand as a lead actor in the drama series Gabriel’s Fireabout a wrongfully imprisoned ex-cop who becomes a private detective. It was the first time an actor won two Emmys in the same year.
On television he appeared in miniseries such as Roots and The Atlanta Child Murderstook on recurring roles in LA Law, Homicide: Life on the Street and Everwoodand guest roles on series such as The Simpsons, Picket Fences, Law and order, House.
Jones received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2002, a Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2009, an honorary Oscar in 2011, and a Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2017. He also received a Grammy Award in 1977 for an album of spoken word.
