James Earl Jones, the legendary actor renowned for his commanding voice as Darth Vader in Star Wars, has passed away at the age of 93. He died peacefully at his home in Dutchess County, New York. His representatives have not disclosed the cause of death.

Jones' passing has elicited heartfelt tributes from across the entertainment industry. George Lucas, creator of Star Wars, praised Jones as “an incredible actor, a most unique voice both in art and spirit.” Mark Hamill, who portrayed Darth Vader’s son Luke Skywalker, shared a poignant tribute on social media, saying, “RIP dad.” Kevin Costner, Jones’ co-star in Field of Dreams, reflected on the actor’s legacy, noting, “That booming voice. That quiet strength. The kindness that he radiated. So much can be said about his legacy, so I’ll just say how thankful I am that part of it includes Field of Dreams.”

Octavia Spencer called Jones’ roles “legendary,” while Colman Domingo admired him as “a master of our craft.” Domingo added, “We stand on your shoulders. Rest now. You gave us your best.”

Though not originally cast as Darth Vader, Jones became synonymous with the role. The character was initially portrayed physically by British bodybuilder David Prowse, but George Lucas was dissatisfied with Prowse’s accent. Jones, who was relatively unknown at the time, provided Vader’s iconic voice, transforming the character into a cinematic legend. Despite his pivotal contribution, Jones wasn’t credited until Return of the Jedi in 1983. His voice was featured in six Star Wars films, including the original trilogy, Revenge of the Sith, Rogue One, and The Rise of Skywalker, as well as the 1978 Holiday Special and the Star Wars: Rebels TV series.

Jones also made a significant impact with his voice role as Mufasa in Disney’s 1994 animated classic The Lion King. His portrayal of the regal lion, whose tragic death profoundly affected many children, was revisited in the 2019 live-action remake by Jon Favreau.

Born in Mississippi in 1931 and raised in Michigan after his family relocated during the Great Migration, Jones overcame a childhood stammer with the help of a supportive teacher. After studying drama at the University of Michigan and serving in the military post-Korean War, he made his Broadway debut in 1958. He earned acclaim for his stage performances, including notable roles in Jean Genet’s The Blacks, Bertolt Brecht’s Baal, and his celebrated portrayals of Othello, both in 1964 and 1982.

Jones’ film career began with a role in Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove. His breakthrough came with the stage role of boxer Jack Jefferson in The Great White Hope, which earned him a Tony Award in 1969 and an Oscar nomination for the film adaptation. This success led to prominent roles in The Man, Claudine, Conan the Barbarian, Coming to America, Field of Dreams, and The Hunt for Red October.

A distinguished stage actor, Jones continued to perform in theatrical productions throughout his career. He won a Tony Award for his role in August Wilson’s Fences and starred in the touring revival of Driving Miss Daisy. His last major stage role was Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Mark Rylance, alongside Vanessa Redgrave in 2013.

Jones was married twice: to actress and singer Julienne Marie from 1968 to 1972 and to Cecilia Hart, who passed away in 2016. He is survived by his son, Flynn, who is also an actor.