Bob Iger Pays Tribute to James Earl Jones– “Gave Voice to Some of the Greatest Characters in Cinema History”
The world was shocked and saddened earlier today to hear that the legendary James Earl Jones had passed away at the age of 93.
A towering figure in American popular culture, Jones rose to prominence following his performance as boxer Jack Jefferson in 1968’s The Great White Hope.
Photo: IMDB
While Jones’s career spanned movies, television, and theater, he is perhaps best remembered for providing the voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars franchise.
Voicing Darth Vader and Mufasa
The combination of Vader’s unmistakable appearance and James Earl Jones’ powerful voice made the Sith Lord one of the most iconic villains in cinema history. After voicing Vader in Star Wars: A New Hope, Jones returned to the role in The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars Rebels, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, The Rise of Skywalker, and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Photo: People
For a younger generation, Jones was the unmistakable voice of Mufasa in Disney’s The Lion King. After lending his gravitas to the noble king in the animated film, Jones would return to voice Mufasa in The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride, The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar, and 2019’s live-action remake of the original film.
Reflecting on his work in The Lion King, Jones had this to say:
“Doing a voice for animation is acting in its purest form. It’s a bit like the ancient Greek form where the actors would wear masks. In our case, the masks are the animators’ drawings and we just simply supply all the behaviors, emotions, and feelings behind that mask.”
Bob Iger Pays Tribute to Jones
In 2019, Jones was finally named a Disney Legend. It was a fitting honor for a man who had brought joy to so many people for decades.
Following the news of Jones’s passing earlier today, Disney CEO Bob Iger released a statement reflecting on the actor’s contributions to Disney and extending the company’s condolences.
Bob Iger. NBC News
“From the gentle wisdom of Mufasa to the menacing threat of Darth Vader, James Earl Jones gave voice to some of the greatest characters in cinema history,” Iger said
“A celebrated stage actor with nearly 200 film and television credits to his name, the stories he brought to life with a uniquely commanding presence and a true richness of spirit have left an indelible mark on generations of audiences. On behalf of all of us at Disney, we extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.”
Jones’s other Disney credits include appearances in Recess, True Identity, Jefferson in Paris, Fantasia/2000, and also as the narrator in Disneynature’s Earth.
James Earl Jones
With a career that lasted 58 years, Jones had an undeniable impact on popular culture and The Walt Disney Company.
