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Remembering James Earl Jones: The Voice of Icons

by Kevyn Gohu
September 10, 2024

An actor and also Broadway regular, James Earl Jones is mostly remembered for lending his voice to the wise Mufasa and the intimidating Darth Vader.

“No, I am your father” — the famous line from Darth Vader has been immortalized among diehard and casual Star Wars fans alike with the delivery done none other by James Earl Jones in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. And for many members of the Star Wars community, James Earl Jones has “returned to the Force.” The icon passed away at 93 years old on September 9, 2024, in Hudson Valley, New York. The cause of death remains undisclosed.

A Decorated and Beloved EGOT Winner

Besides being an iconic voice, James Earl Jones was a well-decorated actor and Broadway star. Some of us may remember him for his role in the 1989 Field of Dreams with Kevin Costner where he played a reclusive author. On Broadway, he performed in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (2008), Driving Miss Daisy (2010–2011), You Can’t Take It with You (2014), and The Gin Game (2015–2016), which he eventually received a Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2017. He also played King Lear and Othello.

Many of his co-stars mourned for his loss, with Octavia Spencer sharing how calling James “legendary” was an understatement for the impact he made on the industry.

Mark Hamill, famous for playing Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars franchise, penned a short note to commemorate the star. “One of the world’s finest actors whose contributions to Star Wars were immeasurable. He’ll be greatly missed. #RIP dad 💔”

Crystal Minkoff, the wife of The Lion King co-director Rob Minkoff, pays tribute to the actor on her Instagram with a picture where the late icon receives a Mufasa statue to commemorate his role in lending his voice to the wise Lion King. “Rest in Power, Mr. Jones. You made a young animator’s dream come true when you accepted the role of Mufasa. Thank you for all you have done for Rob. Your memory will live on. ❤️”

In the entertainment industry, he was a legend, known for being an EGOT awardee. EGOT stands for Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony which he had earned all four throughout his lifetime.

Who is James Earl Jones?

James Earl Jones did have a family! He married actress Cecilia Hart (also known as Ceci Jones) who unfortunately passed away in 2016. Currently, the two are survived by Flynn Earl Jones — who prefers to live a more private life. However, he mentioned them in his speech when he received the Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre Award, expressing his gratitude to both his wife and son.

“And finally, I want to thank my wife, Ceci, for being such a wonderful companion in my life and in my work,” he said. “And for being the great co-producer of our son, Flynn, and for being so dazzling on the red carpet.”

What many also aren’t privy to is before his iconic roles, James Earl Jones had a stammer. He didn’t always have the iconic voice we know now. In fact, it was his “curiosity” that led him to fight against the speech impediment. He would practice, akin to “working out a muscle.”

“When you’re mute that long, you become very curious about expressing yourself,” Jones said. “You’re in need of a way to express yourself,” Jones revealed in an interview with KRCA in 1986.

So to the many kids who fear expressing themselves because people say they “sound funny,” try. It’s okay; it will take practice but we’ll get there. It’s as James Earl Jones’ line as Mufasa goes:

“You are more than what you’ve become.”