In Memoriam: James Earl Jones (1931-2024)
Fans may remember actor James Earl Jones from any number of the near-200 credits he shares in film and television as one of the most celebrated and EGOT-Winning thespians of the last century. In my upbringing, I knew him as either King Jaffe Joffer (Coming To America), TKD Team USA coach Frank Couzo (Best Of The Best), Mustafa (The Lion King), Thulsa Doom (Conan The Barbarian), and the longstanding voice of Darth Vader (Star Wars) in each of his respective film titles for these characters.
His most recent screen credits were his return to the role of Vader in the Star Wars saga Disney+ series “Obi-Wan Kenobi” and in Amazon’s Eddie Murphy-led sequel, Coming 2 America. I saw both of those, and I carry those performances with me to this day, especially in light of the sad news coming out of the trades of his passing while at home in Dutchess County, NY on Monday.
The actor’s death was confirmed by his reps according to Deadline. He was 93, and for us and all those who’ve been touched by Jones’s reverent and commanding performances over the years, he will sadly be missed.
Lead photo credit: Stuart Crawford via Wikimedia Commons
