9/9/24 - Actor James Earl Jones Passes Away

The unmistakable voice and larger than life personality, James Earl Jones passes away at the age of 93.

Jones voice was often associated with the villain Darth Vader from the Star Wars series. Jones appeared in dozens of films, television shows and on Broadway in a career that spanned six decades. Jones is one of less than two dozen actors to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and a Tony award in their careers.

Jones was born in Mississippi, but his family moved to Michigan where he graduated from Brethren High School before going on to earn his  Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Michigan. Jones served in the US Army eventually earning the rank of 1st Lieutenant.

He performed in summer theater in Manistee, Michigan.

His iconic vocal performance as Darth Vader in the Star Wars series was not credited for the first two movies, Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back. Jones would explain that most people would assume the voice was a special effect, and he didn't feel it warranted an acting credit. He would later change his mind after the voice became so prominent in the films and in American culture.

Jones passed away Monday at the age of 93.