The late James Earl Jones, known for his iconic voice as Darth Vader in “Star Wars” and Mufasa in “The Lion King,” was a devout Catholic who considered narrating the New Testament one of the most meaningful achievements of his life. Jones, revered for his deep, resonant voice and compelling performances, once described narrating the Bible as the “greatest honor” he had ever experienced.

James Earl Jones passed away on September 9^th at his home in Dutchess County, New York, surrounded by his family. He was 93 years old. His death marked the end of an illustrious career that spanned over seven decades, in which he earned widespread recognition, including three Tony Awards, two Emmys, and a Grammy. In 2011, he was also honored with a lifetime achievement award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Jones was most famous for voicing the formidable Darth Vader in George Lucas’ 1977 “Star Wars” trilogy, reprising the role in “The Empire Strikes Back” (1980) and “Return of the Jedi” (1983). His portrayal of Vader solidified him as one of the most iconic voices in cinematic history. Outside of “Star Wars,” his unforgettable role as the wise and noble Mufasa in Disney’s “The Lion King” (1994) brought him further acclaim, touching generations of audiences with his gentle strength.

Beyond his film work, Jones had a significant presence in television. He starred in the series “Gabriel’s Fire” (1990-1991) and “Under One Roof” (1995) and made guest appearances on popular shows like “Frasier,” “Will & Grace,” and “The Big Bang Theory.” In 1991, he became the second African American actor to receive an Academy Honorary Award, recognizing his contributions to the entertainment industry.

Born on January 17, 1931, in Arkabutla, Mississippi, Jones struggled with a debilitating stutter in his childhood, which caused him to remain mostly silent for several years. He credited the encouragement of a teacher and his engagement with poetry for helping him overcome this obstacle, eventually leading him to pursue acting as a career. Reflecting on his childhood challenges, Jones told PBS in 2014, “Silence isn’t bad. It’s good to listen. And I learned to listen.”

Although he wasn’t often vocal about his faith in public, Jones spoke candidly about his spiritual journey in his autobiography, “Voices and Silences.” He shared that his curiosity about Catholicism began in high school, where Catholic classmates surrounded him. Later, while serving in the military during the 1950s, Jones felt drawn to the Catholic Church and eventually converted.

In addition to voicing Pharaoh in “The Greatest Adventure: Stories from the Bible” in 1985, Jones recorded an audio edition of the King James version of the New Testament, a project he called his “greatest honor.” He attributed this significant accomplishment to a childhood mentor who guided him to both God and the power of the spoken word.

Following his death, tributes poured in from across the industry. Kevin Costner, who starred alongside Jones in “Field of Dreams” (1989), wrote, “That booming voice. That quiet strength. The kindness that he radiated. So much can be said about his legacy.” Actor Colman Domingo added, “Thank you, dear James Earl Jones, for everything. A master of our craft. We stand on your shoulders.”