James Earl Jones, the beloved stage and screen actor who lent his iconic, deep voice to Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in The Lion King, has died at 93.
Regarded as one of the best actors of his generation, Jones’ career spanned Shakespeare to Hollywood hits. He is one of the few actors to have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony Award.
The actor’s death was reported by Deadline, via his representatives at Independent Artist Group.
James Earl Jones was born January 17, 1931 in Arkabutla, Mississippi and raised by his grandparents in Dublin, Michigan. While he would later become one of the most famous voices in the world, he says he suffered from a stutter in his youth.
“I was a stutterer. I couldn’t talk,” Jones recalled in a 1996 interview. “So my first year of school was my first mute year, and then those mute years continued until I got to high school.” A teacher encouraged him to overcome his stutter by reading poetry aloud.
Jones served in the US Army during the Korean War, and after decided to pursue a career in acting. He studied at the American Theatre Wing, working as a janitor to support himself. By the 1960s, Jones was establishing himself as one of his generation’s great Shakespearean actors, playing roles like Othello and King Lear. He also made his film debut in Stanley Kubrick’s classic 1964 comedy Dr. Strangelove, as bombadier Lt. Lothar Zogg.
In 1967, he played a boxer in The Great White Hope, winning the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play. He reprised the role in the 1970 film version, receiving his first Academy Award nomination.
Amidst all his acclaimed acting work, Jones soon landed his most well-known and iconic role — one where he didn’t even have to appear on set: voicing the villainous Darth Vader in Star Wars. While Vader was played in costume by David Prowse, Jones dubbed over the lines with his own deep bass voice, helping to create one of the most famous characters in movie history.
While Jones originally opted to go uncredited for the role, it has become perhaps his most famous performance. He continued to voice Vader for decades, in the two 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 the role, but signed an agreement for his voice to be used in future projects using artificial intelligence and archive recordings.
Jones also provided the voice of another beloved movie character, Mufasa in the 1994 Disney film The Lion King. Jones later reprised the role in the 2019 remake.
Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, Jones appeared in many Hollywood films, including Conan the Barbarian, Coming to America, Field of Dreams, and The Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games and The Sandlot. He also won his second Tony Award, starring in the original production of August Wilson’s Fences.
He received eight Emmy Award nominations for his television work, winning twice in 1991: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for Heat Wave and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Gabriel’s Fire.
Jones also continued to perform on Broadway: over the past 20 years he starred in revivals of On Golden Pond, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Driving Miss Daisy, The Best Man and You Can’t Take it With You.
Jones was the recipient of many awards and honors throughout his acclaimed career. He received an Honorary Academy Award in 2011, making him one of the only people to have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award, known as “EGOT.” Broadway’s Cort Theatre was renamed the James Earl Jones Theatre in his honor in 2022.
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The 17-member group went on stage and presented a song that impressed the jury
The excitement and passion surrounding Britain’s Got Talent are not just transient phenomena; rather, they are long-lasting evidence of the program’s capacity to enthrall viewers year after year. Every season, it unearths hidden treasures, exhibiting extraordinary skill that makes an impression on the judges and spectators alike. But in this captivating field, brilliance is not a guarantee of a place in the spotlight. What really distinguishes candidates are their painstaking choices of the ideal tune, their faultless performance on stage, and their natural ability to hold the interest of the judges and the audience. Presenting “Angelicus Celtis,” a group of seventeen teenage ladies who bravely entered the stage, oozing with a tangible sense of joy and resolve. Each performer in this group contributed a special blend of skill, commitment, and creativity, and together they woven a tapestry of songs that reverberated throughout the arena. This gifted group had a coach who guided and nurtured them; his steadfast dedication was reflected in that of his protégés. They started a musical adventure together, and when it was all over, they gave an incredible performance that would always be remembered by the audience and the judges alike. The transcendent beauty of Angelicus Celtis’ performance moved even the famously exacting Simon Cowell. He showered them with accolades, praising not just their outstanding song selection but also their faultless performance and compelling stage presence. It was an occasion that went beyond simple amusement, making an enduring impression on everyone who saw their genius.
The thunderous cheers that filled the arena were a resounding testament to Angelicus Celtis’ exceptional abilities. It’s no small accomplishment to synchronize the voices and motions of seventeen people, yet they accomplished it with unquestionable skill, grace, and elegance. Their performance has been preserved in the digital era on sites like YouTube and numerous social media networks, receiving a great deal of praise and propelling the ensemble into the spotlight. However, there is more to Angelicus Celtis than just a collection of gifted people; they are an example of the strength of desire, perseverance, and the unwavering pursuit of greatness. This is revealed beneath the surface of internet celebrity and viral videos.
Allow us, the audience, to pause for a moment and admire their incredible journey while also basking in their brilliance and being mesmerized by their wonderful harmonies. Because in the realm of Britain’s Got Talent, where aspirations come true and superstars are created, Angelicus Celtis radiates positivity and serves as an example to all of us. Let’s pay attention, watch, and enjoy their unique gift as well as the amazing path that lies ahead of them.
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