James Earl Jones, the iconic actor whose unmistakable bass voice resonated to film, theater and television audiences across the world for more than six decades, died Monday at the age of 93, according to his agent Barry McPherson.
Jones won two Tony Awards, two Primetime Emmys, a Golden Globe and a Grammy and received an honorary Academy Award during a memorable career that started in the 1950s.
Sports fans will recall Jones for his performances as disillusioned writer Terence Mann in the 1989 film "Field of Dreams" and for his portrayal of the character Jack Jefferson in "The Great White Hope," a story based on the life of boxer Jack Johnson and Johnson's first wife. Jones originated the Jefferson character on stage in 1967 before appearing in the 1970 film.
Other sports-related films Jones starred in include "The Sandlot" (1993) and "The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings" in 1976. "The Sandlot" was about young baseball players in the early 1960s, and Bingo Long centered on ex-Negro Leagues players during racial segregation.
In pop culture, Jones will long be remembered as the voice of Mufasa in "The Lion King" and as Darth Vader in the Star Wars films. His Star Wars character boldly declared to Luke Skywalker in "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back": "No. I am your father." And when a subordinate expressed defiance in "Star Wars: A New Hope," Jones' character choked the man with the Force and chided him coolly: "I find your lack of faith disturbing."
Jones also voiced the unique tagline "This is CNN" for the news network.
Jones was born in 1931 in Mississippi but was raised primarily in Michigan. He graduated from the University of Michigan and was a former first lieutenant and Ranger in the U.S. Army.
"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," Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a statement. "A celebrated stage actor with nearly 200 film and television credits to his name, 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."