James Earl Jones, the famous actor known for his deep, powerful voice as Darth Vader in *Star Wars* and Mufasa in *The Lion King*, has died at 93.
Jones was considered one of the greatest actors of his time, with a career that covered everything from Shakespeare plays to major Hollywood movies. He was one of the few actors to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award, showing his incredible talent.
His death was reported by *Deadline*, through his representatives at Independent Artist Group.
James Earl Jones was born on January 17, 1931, in Arkabutla, Mississippi, and grew up with his grandparents in Dublin, Michigan. Despite becoming one of the most famous voices in the world, he struggled with a stutter as a child.
“I couldn’t talk,” Jones shared in a 1996 interview. “My first year of school, I didn’t speak, and this continued until high school.” A teacher helped him overcome his stutter by encouraging him to read poetry out loud.
After serving in the US Army during the Korean War, Jones decided to follow his passion for acting. He studied at the American Theatre Wing, supporting himself by working as a janitor. By the 1960s, he was recognized as one of the great Shakespearean actors of his time, playing famous roles like Othello and King Lear. He also made his film debut in the 1964 Stanley Kubrick movie *Dr. Strangelove*, playing Lt. Lothar Zogg.
In 1967, James Earl Jones played a boxer in *The Great White Hope*, a role that earned him the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play. He later played the same role in the 1970 movie version and received his first Oscar nomination for it.
While he had many great acting roles, Jones became most famous for one where he didn’t even appear on screen: the voice of Darth Vader in *Star Wars*. Though another actor, David Prowse, wore the costume, Jones provided the deep, powerful voice that made Darth Vader one of the most unforgettable characters in movie history.
James Earl Jones initially chose not to be credited for his role as Darth Vader, but it has become one of his most famous performances. He continued to voice Vader for many years, including in the 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 voicing Vader but agreed to let his voice be used in future projects through artificial intelligence and old recordings.
Jones also voiced another beloved character, Mufasa, in Disney’s 1994 film *The Lion King*. He returned to voice Mufasa again in the 2019 remake.
In the 1980s and 1990s, James Earl Jones appeared in many popular movies like *Conan the Barbarian*, *Coming to America*, *Field of Dreams*, *The Hunt for Red October*, *Patriot Games*, and *The Sandlot*. He also won his second Tony Award for his role in the original production of August Wilson’s play *Fences*.
Jones received eight Emmy Award nominations for his TV work and won twice in 1991: once for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for *Heat Wave*, and once for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for *Gabriel’s Fire*.
He also kept performing on Broadway, starring in revivals of plays such as *On Golden Pond*, *Cat on a Hot Tin Roof*, *Driving Miss Daisy*, *The Best Man*, and *You Can’t Take It With You* over the past 20 years.
James Earl Jones received many awards and honors during his impressive career. In 2011, he was given an Honorary Academy Award, joining a special group of people who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award, known as “EGOT.” In 2022, Broadway’s Cort Theatre was renamed the James Earl Jones Theatre in his honor.
Rest in peace to the legendary James Earl Jones, one of the greatest actors of our time. Please share this story to remember him.
Mick Jagger and Bianca’s Divorce in 1978: A look back after 46 years
Co-founding the band alongside Brian Jones, Charlie Watts, and Keith Richards, Jagger has seen many changes over the years. With Watts passing away in 2021 and Jones no longer with the band, the current lineup includes Jagger, Richards, and bassist Ronnie Wood, 76. They continue to tour and recently released “Hackney Diamonds”, their first album of new material in 18 years, featuring collaborations with stars like Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, and Lady Gaga.
Over the past six decades, Jagger’s fame has kept his personal life in the limelight, especially with his eight children. His eldest daughter, Karis, was born in 1969, and his youngest, Deveraux, was born in December 2016.
Mick married Bianca Pérez-Mora Macías in 1971 in a star-studded ceremony in Saint-Tropez. They welcomed their daughter, Jade, who is now 52 and known for her work in interior and jewelry design. Bianca became a socialite and was often in the news, notably for a legendary story about arriving at her birthday party on a white horse at Studio 54. She later clarified that it was a surprise orchestrated by Steve Rubell, co-founder of the club, inspired by a photo of her on a horse in Nicaragua.
While both Jagger and Bianca had affairs during their marriage, it ultimately led to their separation. Bianca filed for divorce after Mick briefly dated model Jerry Hall. Their divorce was finalized in 1978, with Bianca receiving a settlement of $1.2 million, as reported by New York Magazine. Reflecting on the split, she expressed to The Guardian that it felt like a failure, stating: “I was brought up Catholic, to believe that marriage is for life. And we failed”.
After her marriage ended, Bianca shifted her focus from partying to activism, championing the rights of vulnerable individuals through Amnesty International. Her efforts earned her the Right Livelihood Award, often referred to as the “alternative Nobel Prize”, in 2004 for using her fame to advocate for those in need.
Today, Mick Jagger is in a committed relationship with American choreographer Melanie Hamrick, 36. They have been together for a decade and share a son. Are you aware of Bianca Jagger’s remarkable humanitarian efforts? Share your thoughts in the comments! Feel free to pass this article along to anyone interested in where these rock legends are now!
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