Disney Legend James Earl Jones, the voice behind the iconic characters Darth Vader and Mufasa, died Monday, Sept. 9, surrounded by family at his home in Dutchess County, New York, a spokesperson for the actor confirmed. He was 93.

“From the gentle wisdom of Mufasa to the brooding menace of Darth Vader, James Earl Jones gave voice to some of the greatest characters in cinematic history,” said Bob Iger, Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company. “A celebrated actor with nearly 200 film and television credits to his name, the stories he brought to life with a unique, commanding presence and true wealth of spirit have left an indelible impression on generations of audiences. On behalf of all of us at Disney, we extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.”

Jones’ rich, convincing basso profundo tones helped shape perhaps the most indelible movie villain of all time: Darth Vader. Star Wars: A New Hope (1977). He reprised his role in subsequent films in the franchise, including Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983), Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019), as well as in the Disney XD animated series Star Wars Rebels (2014–2018) and Disney+ Original Series Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022).

Voicing the former Jedi Knight turned cybernetically enhanced Sith Lord — who was also the father of heroes Leia Organa (Disney Legend Carrie Fisher) and Luke Skywalker (Disney Legend Mark Hamill) — provided Jones with ample career opportunities. “It led to a lot of commercials and voice-over work,” he once said. “The voice-over work led to more opportunities for narration and on-camera commercials, which had their own milieu and craft that was so different from movies and theater.”

In stark contrast to his voice as Darth Vader, Jones also voiced Mufasa, the king of Pride Rock, in the Walt Disney Animation Studios film. The Lion King (1994). “Doing a voice for animation is acting in its purest form,” Jones said. “It’s kind of like the ancient Greek form where the actors would wear masks. In our case, the masks are the animators’ drawings and we’re just providing all the behaviors, emotions and feelings behind that mask.” Jones’ Mufasa would be heard again in The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride (1998) and The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar (2015), as well as the photorealistic reinterpretation of The Lion King (2019), directed by Disney legend Jon Favreau.

“I initially approached my character with the utmost dignity, befitting the king of the jungle. But the more I did that, the more we realized that we were missing something. We were missing the dad,” Jones once said. “Fathers aren’t always great, especially with their sons. When you’re adjusting to fatherhood, you’re often stupid and foolish. You’re just daddy… In The Lion KingMufasa urges his son Simba to take his place in the great circle of life – and for me, the heart of that circle is my family.”

Jones was born in Arkabutla, Mississippi, and grew up on his grandparents’ farm in Jackson, Michigan. He developed a stutter at an early age. One of his high school teachers helped him master it by having him recite poetry in front of the class. It was there that he eventually found his calling in performing. In 1958, after a stint in the Army following his graduation from the University of Michigan, Jones went to Broadway. Two years later, he began a long association with New York City’s famed Shakespeare in the Park.

In the years that followed, Jones added film and television to his continuing stage work. His other Disney and 20^and Century credits include Three fugitives (1989), Gabriel’s Fire (1990–91), The Simpsons (1990, 1994 and 1998), Pros and cons (1991–92), True Identity (1991), The sandbox (1993), Jefferson in Paris (1995), Interruption (1998), Fantasy/2000 (2000), and Earth (2009). His voice has been heard in Disney parks around the world, including recurring vocal performances as Darth Vader in Star Tours – The adventures continue and as the featured narrator for the Candlelight Ceremony and Processional at Disneyland Park.

Respected by both the public and his colleagues, the decorated actor won two Emmys^® Awards, two Tony Awards^®and a Grammy^® Award throughout his illustrious career. In 2011, he received the Academy Honorary Award “for his legacy of consistent excellence and uncommon versatility,” and in 2019, he was inducted as a Disney Legend at D23 Expo.