Curious World Staff
James Earl Jones, the iconic actor most known for his portrayal of Darth Vader in Star Wars, as well as his roles in Field of Dreams and other Broadway productions, died at the age of 93. Jones, an EGOT winner (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony), received an honorary Academy Award, although his career was filled with awards, including two Primetime Emmys, a Daytime Emmy, a Grammy for spoken word, and three Tony Awards.
Jones, whose career spanned over 60 years and included nearly 200 screen credits, made his mark in films like Dr. Strangelove, Conan the Barbarian, Coming to America, and The Hunt for Red October. His iconic voice also brought life to Mufasa in The Lion King. On television, he had roles in Roots: The Next Generation, Law & Order, The Big Bang Theory, and even lent his voice to The Simpsons.
He became most well-known for his portrayal as Terence Mann in Field of Dreams, a film about baseball, nostalgia, and family that received multiple Oscar nominations. Broadway audiences praised his theatrical performances, including memorable parts in The Great White Hope and Fences, for which he received two Tony Awards. His Broadway career spanned decades, and in 2022, the Cort Theatre in New York was renamed the James Earl Jones Theatre after him.
Born in Mississippi in 1931, Jones overcame early struggles with a speech impediment to become one of the most distinguished voices in American entertainment. He was a Kennedy Center Honoree in 2002 and received numerous lifetime achievement awards throughout his career. Jones’ work and influence in film, television, and theater have left a lasting legacy.
