James Earl Jones was an American actor and voice actor, best known as the voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars film series. Since the franchise was acquired by Disney, he had reprised his voice role of Vader in Star Wars Rebels, Rogue One, The Rise of Skywalker, and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Among his other contributions for Disney, he was also well-known for voicing Mufasa in The Lion King (1994). He went on to reprise the role in The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar, and the 2019 CGI remake directed by Jon Favreau. He was also one of the international hosts in Fantasia 2000. He appeared in True Identity and hosted both American Legends and The Story Behind the Story: The Lion King on the 2002 2-disc DVD of Beauty and the Beast. He also voiced Santa Claus in the Recess episode "Yes, Mikey, Santa Does Shave". He reprised his role as Darth Vader in the Star Tours: The Adventures Continue attraction at Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood Studios, and voiced Mara in Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye at Disneyland. Additionally, he played Duggan in Three Fugitives, the narrator in Judge Dredd, the narrator in Freddie as F.R.O.7., Madison Hemings in Jefferson in Paris, Reverend Stephen Kumalo in Cry, the Beloved Country, and the narrator in Scary Movie 4.
Jones was named a Disney Legend. In 2019, he finished his speech with "and may the force be with you."[1]
Outside of Disney, he was best known as the voice of the Cable News Network tagline: "This is CNN."
James Earl Jones passed away on September 9, 2024, at the age of 93.[2]
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Trivia[]
- He was considered for the voice of Santa Claus in The Nightmare Before Christmas, but he turned it down.[3]
- Around his retirement in 2022 and before his death, James Earl Jones signed a deal with Disney to use his voice through AI software in future incarnations of Darth Vader.[4] This software was first used in the 2022 Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi.[5]
References[]
- ↑ https://d23.com/every-magical-moment-from-the-2019-disney-legends-awards-ceremony/
- ↑ James Earl Jones Dies: Revered ‘Field Of Dreams’ Star & Darth Vader Voice Was 93
- ↑ https://www.thedailybeast.com/henry-selick-on-directing-the-nightmare-before-christmas
- ↑ "Darth Vader's voice James Earl Jones dies aged 93 - ABC News". YouTube (Septembert 10, 2024).
- ↑ "Darth Vader's Voice Emanated From War-Torn Ukraine". Vanity Fair (October 2022). Retrieved on September 10, 2024.