James Earl Jones, voice of Darth Vader, dies aged 93

American actor James Earl Jones, widely recognized for voicing the iconic Star Wars antagonist Darth Vader, has passed away at the age of 93.

He passed away early Monday morning, with his family by his side, according to his agent Barry McPherson.

Jones appeared in a multitude of movies such as Field of Dreams, Coming to America, Conan the Barbarian, and The Lion King. He gained widespread recognition for providing the iconic, deep voice of Darth Vader, the infamous villain from Star Wars.

Mark Hamill, known for his role as Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader's son in Star Wars, expressed his sadness by posting "RIP Dad" along with a broken heart emoji after sharing a news article about the death.

Throughout his career, Jones received three Tony Awards, along with two Emmys and a Grammy. In addition, he was honored with a special Oscar in 2011 for his lifetime contributions to the industry.

In 1971, he made history by becoming just the second Black man to receive a nomination for an Academy Award for best actor, following Sidney Poitier.

LeVar Burton, the actor from Star Trek, was one of the first to honor Jones, stating, "there will never be anyone else with his unique qualities."

US actor Colman Domingo also expressed his appreciation by saying, "Thank you, beloved James Earl Jones, for everything you've contributed. You are a true master of our art form. We are here because of your influence. Take your rest now; you have given us your all."

Kevin Costner, who shared the screen with Jones in Field of Dreams, expressed, “His powerful voice, gentle strength, and the warmth he exuded are truly remarkable. There's so much to discuss regarding his legacy, but I simply want to express my gratitude that it includes Field of Dreams.”

Oscar-winning actress Octavia Spencer expressed that Jones' "voice and talent will be forever remembered," adding that "the term legendary barely scratches the surface when it comes to describing his remarkable roles and lasting influence on film."

Crystal Minkoff, the spouse of Rob Minkoff, who co-directed The Lion King, shared a picture of Jones with a Mufasa statue, accompanied by a heartfelt message: “Rest in Peace, Mr. Jones. You fulfilled a young animator's dream by taking on the role of Mufasa.”

"We appreciate everything you've done for Rob. Your legacy will be remembered."

Jones was the voice behind CNN's tagline, "This is CNN."

"He served as CNN's voice and representative for many years, effortlessly communicating an air of command, elegance, and professionalism through his words," the network shared with the Hollywood Reporter.

"His incredible voice is only one of the many qualities that the world will long for when it comes to James."

Born in Mississippi in January 1931, Jones mentioned that he struggled to speak for much of his early years due to a speech impediment.

He shared that he cultivated his renowned voice while learning to manage his stuttering.

Jones gained fame for providing the voice of Darth Vader in the original Star Wars movie released in 1977, as well as in the sequels, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.

He returned to play the character in later movies, including the first entry in the Star Wars anthology series, Rogue One, as well as the third part of the sequel trilogy, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Both of these films came out in the latter part of the 2010s.

Different actors took on the role of Darth Vader by wearing the iconic costume and portraying the character's movements. One notable performer was the late David Prowse, while James Earl Jones supplied the character's iconic and deep voice.

"I really enjoy being involved in that entire legend, that whole phenomenon," Jones mentioned in an earlier interview. He also expressed his happiness in accommodating fans who requested him to reenact his famous line, "I am your father."

Jones mentioned that he didn't earn a lot from playing Darth Vader, receiving only $9,000 (£6,884) for the initial film. He viewed the role more as work related to special effects than anything else.

He insisted on not receiving any acknowledgment for his work, believing it was just another instance of a "special effect."

When the movies shattered all box office records, he was convinced to reconsider.

Jones was also famous for his work on television, portraying the older version of Alex Haley in "Roots: The Next Generation." He earned one of his two Emmy Awards for his starring role in the American drama "Gabriel's Fire."

His raspy voice was featured in The Simpsons, and he made appearances in the early seasons of Sesame Street.

Jones also portrayed several legendary Shakespearean characters in his performances, such as Othello and King Lear.