At 93, actor James Earl Jones died on Monday. He achieved what few others have. He was an EGOT, one of the select few in the arts who was able to win at least one of the four major awards: the Emmy, the Grammy, the Oscar and the Tony (for theater and musical comedy). Jones gained notoriety for lending his voice to transcendental characters such as the villain Darth Vader in the saga Star Wars or Mufasa, Simba’s father in The Lion King.
The actor died at his home in Dutchess County, New York.
He is considered one of the best theater and film actors in the world.As for EGOT, she won not one, but two Primetime Emmy Awards, a Grammy Award, and three Tony Awards. The Oscar was received as an honorary award from the Hollywood Academy, not for any particular performance.
Jones established himself as one of the pioneering African-American actors of his generation, with a career spanning more than 60 years, from his Broadway debut in 1958 at the Cort Theatre – renamed the James Earl Jones Theatre in 2022 – to his most recent performance in A Prince in New York 2in 2021.
James Earl Jones with director and producer George Lucas. AP Photo
Owner of a deep and recognizable voice, he worked in Dr. Strangelove (1964) by Stanley Kubrick, and was part of the casts of some of the most successful films of all time. He is probably best known for his voice role of Darth Vader in the original trilogy of Star Warsand reprised the villain role in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005), although it did not appear in the credits, and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016).
Inside the Darth Vader suit was David Prowse in the first trilogy of Star Warsand Jones dubbed Vader’s dialogue in post-production, because director George Lucas felt Prowse’s thick Western accent was unsuitable for the role.
He was a stutterer
Curiously, he overcame racial prejudice and a severe childhood stutter to become a celebrated icon of theatre and film.
James Earl Jones, as the King of Zamunda in “Coming to America,” and thanking the Hollywood Academy for the honorary Oscar.
Jones also “played” Mufasa, Simba’s father, in the hit animated film The Lion King (1994) and reprised the role in the hybrid animated/live-action film of the same name released five years ago in 2019.
Born on January 17, 1931 in Arkabutla, Mississippi, among his countless film appearances (there were more than 80) he is remembered as the villain of Conan the Barbarian (1982), one of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s first films; the king of Zamunda in A prince in New York (1988), with Eddie Murphy; he acted in the Oscar-nominated The field of dreams(1989), con Kevin Costner; The hunt for Red October (1990), con Sean Connery; Patriots game (1992), with Harrison Ford. He also appeared in The Simpsons on three occasions.
James Earl Jones poses with his honorary Oscar in February 2012. AP Photo
Although as we said, the Oscar he had at home had not been obtained by being nominated for any role, he was nominated for the Oscar for best leading actor for The Great White Hope (The Great White Hope -1971-). It was won by George C. Scott for Pattonand the other candidates that year were Jack Nicholson, Melvin Douglas and Ryan O’Neal. He would receive the honorary Oscar forty years later, at the 2012 ceremony.
As for the Emmy, which rewards television performances, he was nominated eight times and won two awards in the same year. In 1991 he was awarded as best lead actor in a dramatic series, for Gabriel’s Fireand best supporting actor in a miniseries or special for Heat Wave.
He also acted in the miniseries Rootsin The Atlanta Child Murders, L.A. Lawand was a “guest artist” in Law & Order, Frasier y House.
With his two Emmy Awards, in 1991, for leading actor and supporting actor, a rarity. Photo Reuters
On the Broadway stage, he was a four-time Tony Award nominee, winning twice for his performances as Jack Jefferson in The Great White Hopein 1969, and as Troy Maxson in Fencesby August Wilson in 1987. She also received a special Tony Award at the 2017 ceremony.