James Earl Jones, the famous actor known for his deep, powerful voice as Darth Vader in *Star Wars* and Mufasa in *The Lion King*, has died at 93.
Jones was considered one of the greatest actors of his time, with a career that covered everything from Shakespeare plays to major Hollywood movies. He was one of the few actors to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award, showing his incredible talent.
His death was reported by *Deadline*, through his representatives at Independent Artist Group.
James Earl Jones was born on January 17, 1931, in Arkabutla, Mississippi, and grew up with his grandparents in Dublin, Michigan. Despite becoming one of the most famous voices in the world, he struggled with a stutter as a child.
“I couldn’t talk,” Jones shared in a 1996 interview. “My first year of school, I didn’t speak, and this continued until high school.” A teacher helped him overcome his stutter by encouraging him to read poetry out loud.
After serving in the US Army during the Korean War, Jones decided to follow his passion for acting. He studied at the American Theatre Wing, supporting himself by working as a janitor. By the 1960s, he was recognized as one of the great Shakespearean actors of his time, playing famous roles like Othello and King Lear. He also made his film debut in the 1964 Stanley Kubrick movie *Dr. Strangelove*, playing Lt. Lothar Zogg.
In 1967, James Earl Jones played a boxer in *The Great White Hope*, a role that earned him the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play. He later played the same role in the 1970 movie version and received his first Oscar nomination for it.
While he had many great acting roles, Jones became most famous for one where he didn’t even appear on screen: the voice of Darth Vader in *Star Wars*. Though another actor, David Prowse, wore the costume, Jones provided the deep, powerful voice that made Darth Vader one of the most unforgettable characters in movie history.
James Earl Jones initially chose not to be credited for his role as Darth Vader, but it has become one of his most famous performances. He continued to voice Vader for many years, including in the sequels *The Empire Strikes Back* and *Return of the Jedi*, the prequel *Revenge of the Sith*, and the spin-off *Rogue One*. In 2022, Jones retired from voicing Vader but agreed to let his voice be used in future projects through artificial intelligence and old recordings.
Jones also voiced another beloved character, Mufasa, in Disney’s 1994 film *The Lion King*. He returned to voice Mufasa again in the 2019 remake.
In the 1980s and 1990s, James Earl Jones appeared in many popular movies like *Conan the Barbarian*, *Coming to America*, *Field of Dreams*, *The Hunt for Red October*, *Patriot Games*, and *The Sandlot*. He also won his second Tony Award for his role in the original production of August Wilson’s play *Fences*.
Jones received eight Emmy Award nominations for his TV work and won twice in 1991: once for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for *Heat Wave*, and once for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for *Gabriel’s Fire*.
He also kept performing on Broadway, starring in revivals of plays such as *On Golden Pond*, *Cat on a Hot Tin Roof*, *Driving Miss Daisy*, *The Best Man*, and *You Can’t Take It With You* over the past 20 years.
James Earl Jones received many awards and honors during his impressive career. In 2011, he was given an Honorary Academy Award, joining a special group of people who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award, known as “EGOT.” In 2022, Broadway’s Cort Theatre was renamed the James Earl Jones Theatre in his honor.
Rest in peace to the legendary James Earl Jones, one of the greatest actors of our time. Please share this story to remember him.
Elvis’ last ever recording has remained quiet until now: When I heard the song, it gave me chills
Whether you harbor a fondness for the genre or not, there’s a unanimous recognition that Elvis Presley, the iconic figure of rock ‘n’ roll, stands out as one of the exceptionally gifted artists to grace our planet.
This assertion is scarcely open to debate. Even in the face of his premature departure, the King left behind a legacy of captivating stage performances that enchanted audiences for many years.
While numerous video recordings capture Elvis at the zenith of his career, there’s one particular footage that I find holds unique significance for many. It signifies the concluding recording of an Elvis performance, and truth be told, it evokes a profound reaction within me. Certainly, he may be a far cry from the physical dynamo he once embodied, but the performance stands as a historical gem in its own right.
This recording remains somewhat obscured despite its importance. In this footage, Elvis is delivering one of his timeless classics, a song held dear by a multitude of his admirers. Some argue that his rendition is infused with such fervor that this final performance could arguably be considered among his finest! What’s your perspective on it?
A natural showman from birth, Elvis Presley dedicated himself to his craft until the very end. Celebrated for pouring his heart into every performance, he left behind a treasure trove of enchanting moments spanning his lifetime.
Despite not embodying the same persona as his prime, don’t underestimate the impact of this particular performance. His voice retains an undeniably potent allure! Some argue that this could be one of the legend’s most outstanding shows ever. While I might not fully endorse that perspective, I can certainly understand the sentiment.
The song Elvis is delivering is “Unchained Melody”, performed before an audience in Rapid City, South Dakota. The first time I experienced it, my skin erupted in goosebumps! Unfortunately, a mere six weeks following this recording, Elvis departed from this world. At the youthful age of 42, he bequeathed a lasting legacy of music and myth that will endure for all time.
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