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You may agree that you can’t think of James Earl Jones without hearing his voice. That powerful, booming basso profundo that brought dignity, menace, or gravitas to every role he played was unforgettable. Whether as Darth Vader in Star Wars or Mufasa in The Lion King, his voice was iconic and instantly recognizable.

Now, with great sadness, I reflect on the loss of this legendary actor who passed away at the age of 93, surrounded by his family, according to his agent. Although no cause of death was shared, his absence leaves a profound void.

From the wisdom of Mufasa to the chilling threat of Darth Vader, Jones gave life to some of the most memorable characters in cinema. Bob Iger, the CEO of The Walt Disney Company, expressed it perfectly, saying that Jones left an “indelible mark” on generations of audiences.

His career, spanning over six decades, took him from a small-town theater in Michigan to the highest levels of Hollywood stardom, winning multiple awards along the way.

When I think about Darth Vader, it’s hard to imagine anyone else could have brought that character to life in the same way.

Back in the mid-1970s, Star Wars creator George Lucas had cast David Prowse as the physical embodiment of Vader but decided he needed someone else to voice the character. Jones later said that Lucas wanted a “darker” voice, and that’s how he lucked out, landing the role that would change his life.

No one could have predicted the blockbuster success of Star Wars or its enduring legacy. Jones recorded all his lines for the original movie in just a few hours and was paid $7,000 for the work—a sum he thought was decent at the time.

But despite the relatively quick and modest beginnings, Darth Vader became one of the most iconic villains in cinema history, largely thanks to Jones’ distinctive voice.

I vividly remember the climactic duel between Vader and Luke Skywalker in The Empire Strikes Back, punctuated by Jones’ unforgettable line: “No, I am your father!” It sent chills down my spine.

As it turns out, voicing Mufasa in The Lion King was a different challenge for Jones. Initially, he tried to make the character regal, but the directors told him they wanted something more authentic to him.

Jones said they asked him what he was like as a father, to which he responded, “Well, I’m really a dopey dad.” And that was the magic they were after—Mufasa became a warm, gentle, yet authoritative figure. His portrayal of Mufasa resonated with millions, and to this day, when I think of The Lion King, I can’t help but hear his soothing, wise voice.

Jones’ life wasn’t always easy. Born in 1931 in Mississippi, his father left the family before he was born to pursue acting.

Jones moved to Michigan at a young age, and the trauma of the move caused him to develop a severe stutter that made him nearly mute throughout his childhood. It wasn’t until a high school poetry teacher encouraged him to recite aloud that he began to find his voice.

That moment changed everything for Jones, sparking a love of language and performance that would carry him to the heights of Broadway, Hollywood, and beyond.

I often think of how powerful speech can be. For Jones, it was everything. He once said his passion for acting wasn’t just about performing—it was about language and speech.

It was about being able to say things through the characters he portrayed that he could never have imagined saying in his own life. That’s what drew him to acting and what kept him engaged through a long and prolific career.

As I reflect on his work, it’s incredible to think of all the roles he brought to life. From Shakespearean productions to iconic films like The Great White Hope and Field of Dreams, Jones could do it all.

His portrayal of King Jaffe Joffer in Coming to America and its sequel in 2021 was yet another example of his versatility and enduring appeal. He worked consistently into his later years, never slowing down.

Jones also became a cultural touchstone beyond movies. His deep voice narrated everything from The Simpsons to the King James Bible, and he even voiced the famous CNN tagline: “This is CNN.” In fact, many people didn’t recognize him by sight but by sound.

He once joked that when he was silent, it was like “going ninja.” But the moment he spoke, everyone recognized the voice of Darth Vader or Mufasa.

Looking back on his career, I am reminded of how much of an impact he had, not just on me but on the world.

He won three Tonys, two Emmys, a Grammy, and countless other accolades. But more than that, he inspired people with his resilience, overcoming his stutter to become one of the greatest actors of our time. His voice, his presence, and his spirit will be deeply missed.