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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Braless TV News Anchors Ignite Intense Public Debate
In a bid to boost viewership, Albanian TV station Zjarr made headlines with an unconventional approach: hiring young journalist Enki Bracaj, who delivered news segments without wearing a bra. Albania, a traditionally conservative Balkan nation where about 60% of the population identifies as Muslim, reacted strongly to the station’s choice, sparking heated debates and garnering widespread attention on social media.
Despite the initial backlash, Zjarr’s strategy proved remarkably successful. “In Albania, where political influence often manipulates the news, viewers were ready for a medium that delivered information ‘naked’—both literally and symbolically,” explained Zjarr TV owner Ismet Drishti in a 2016 interview with AFP.
Drishti emphasized that the presentation aimed not at sensationalism but at promoting transparency in news reporting. “We aren’t selling sex; we’re presenting the news as it is. This approach is both symbolic and effective for publicity.”
Enki Bracaj, then 21, quickly became a local celebrity after joining Zjarr in 2016. She explained that the idea to present braless was her own, inspired by her decision to wear an open blouse to her job interview.
“In this competitive industry, I just found a way to stand out,” Enki said, noting that her family was supportive of her choice. “To succeed, I knew I had to be bold and offer something different.”
When Enki eventually left Zjarr, rumors circulated that salary disputes were to blame, but the station felt she overstepped when she took a modeling opportunity with Playboy.
Her successor, 24-year-old Greta Hoxhaj, followed a similar style in her on-air presentation. “I worked in local television for five years with little recognition,” Hoxhaj said. “In just three months at Zjarr, I became a star.” She noted that her appearance on air was far more provocative than her everyday style.
Videos of these Albanian news anchors have since gone viral, igniting debate. While some viewers support their choice of dress, others argue that media outlets should prioritize professionalism and respect.
“Too many women on TV have necklines that are way too low,” one viewer commented. Another added, “It’s disheartening to see such tactics used just to gain screen time.”
Despite the criticism, Hoxhaj remains unfazed. “What matters is that I’m succeeding in my work and enjoying my newfound fame. I have a beautiful life filled with love,” she shared.
What do you think about this approach to news broadcasting?
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