James Earl Jones, the acclaimed actor renowned for his powerful voice and iconic roles, passed away peacefully on September 9, 2024, at his home, surrounded by family, according to his agent, Barry McPherson.
Born in January 1931 in Mississippi, Jones made his mark in Hollywood with notable performances in films like Coming to America, The Greatest, Field of Dreams, and Conan the Barbarian. He gained legendary status for voicing Darth Vader in the Star Wars franchise and Mufasa in Disney’s The Lion King.
His illustrious career was decorated with numerous awards, including an honorary Oscar, Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award. Jones was also recognized for his television work, winning one of his two Emmys for his role in Gabriel’s Fire and for his portrayal of the elder Alex Haley in Roots: The Next Generation. Additionally, he appeared in early episodes of Sesame Street and lent his voice to The Simpsons.
Jones had not publicly discussed his long-term battle with type 2 diabetes for nearly two decades before his passing. He is survived by his only son, Flynn Earl Jones.
