His voice was among the most recognized in the world: James Earl “Todd” Jones not only lent his distinctive deep voice to Darth Vader (“Star Wars”), but also to the Lion King Mufasa from the Disney masterpiece “The Lion King.” Now, the Hollywood legend has passed away at the age of 93, as his management announced. Jones died in his home in Dutchess County (New York), and the cause of death is not yet known.
First Role in a Kubrick Film
James Earl Jones, born in 1931 in Arkabutla, Mississippi, initially felt called to medicine but later discovered his passion for acting. He made his Broadway debut in 1957 and landed his first film role in 1964 under the direction of none other than Stanley Kubrick (“Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb”). The American finally achieved breakthrough success in 1969 with his Broadway portrayal of boxer Jack Johnson in “The Great White Hope.” This role earned him a Tony Award, and he received a Golden Globe for Best Newcomer as well as an Oscar nomination for the film adaptation. In 1972, he became the first African American to play a U.S. president in a feature film (“The Man”). He went on to have roles in successful blockbusters such as “Conan the Barbarian” (1982), “Coming to America” (1988), and “The Hunt for Red October” (1990).