James Earl Jones Dies At 93, But His Voice Might Live On As AI
Legendary actor James Earl Jones, best known as the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars, died on Monday morning at his home in Dutchess County, New York, at the age of 93.
A representative for Jones confirmed his death to the press however his cause of death was not immediately revealed.
A Pioneering Career in Entertainment
Jones, whos career spanned more than six decades, overcame a childhood stutter to become one of the most revered actors of his generation.
He made his Broadway debut in 1958 and went on to win two Tony Awards for his performances in The Great White Hope and Fences.
With over 80 film credits, Jones appeared in iconic movies such as Dr. Strangelove, Field of Dreams, and The Lion King, where he voiced Mufasa.
His work in television also earned him two Emmy Awards in 1991.
Jones’ Embrace of AI Technology
At 91, Jones embraced the use of AI to preserve his voice as he signed over the rights to his voice, allowing the technology to recreate Darth Vader for future Star Wars projects.
Ukrainian startup Respeecher worked with Lucasfilm to replicate his iconic voice for the 2022 Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi. This use of AI ensures that Jones’ voice will continue to resonate with fans for generations to come.
Star Wars creator George Lucas has led the tributes to “incredible actor” James Earl Jones, the voice behind Darth Vader, following his death at the age of 93.
In a statement, Lucas described Jones as “a most unique voice both in art and spirit”.
“For nearly half a century he was Darth Vader, but the secret to it all is he was a beautiful human being. He gave depth, sincerity and meaning to all his roles, amongst the most important being a devoted husband to the late Ceci and dad to Flynn.” the director said.
“James will be missed by so many of us… friends and fans alike.”
Disney chief executive Bob Iger said: “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.”
He added: “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.”
Feature Image Credit: Playbill
