It’s a sad day for pop culture fans, as one of the most prolific actors/voice actors have left our world.

American actor James Earl Jones has passed away. He was 93. He died on 9 September surrounded by his family, according to his agent Barry McPherson.

James Earl Jones is iconic in pop culture, being the voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars series and Mufasa in The Lion King. His voice still brings chills to many people’s spines as it’s deep, booming, and memorable, with loads of gravitas in his performance alone.

He also starred in a good number of films, playing iconic roles in Coming To America and Conan The Barbarian. He also won three Tony awards, two Emmys, and a Grammy, as well as an honorary Oscar in 2011 for lifetime achievement. Back in 1971, he was the second Black man nominated for an Academy Award for best actor, the first being Sidney Poitier.

Of course, he is also a prolific intro voice in CNN back when people actually watched it. And also the first celebrity guest on Sesame Street back in 1978.

Fun Fact about the one and only James Earl Jones:

James was the first celebrity guest to appear on Sesame Street in 1978.

His character was a movie star in search of the perfect egg cream. He recited the most carefully clear and distinctly spoken alphabet the world has ever… pic.twitter.com/ePBdTHB1mb

— Sassington, M.C. (@MissSassbox) September 9, 2024

He’s also quite a champion of comedy, doing memorable skits for David Letterman’s show and being on The Simpsons.

As we all grieve the immense loss of actor James Earl Jones (Star Wars, The Lion King), I wanted to celebrate one his funnier milestones, reading Letterman’s best Top Ten List, reciting commercial jingles with his spectacular, powerful, booming voice. #RIPJamesEarlJones pic.twitter.com/7OCHlV7hrv

— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) September 9, 2024

Of all of his performances, this one is my favorite ??

Rest in peace James Earl Jones ?? pic.twitter.com/xt2mNQwgQN

— Meteorologist Katie Nickolaou (@weather_katie) September 9, 2024

RIP James Earl Jones pic.twitter.com/dwS374SWVa

— Out of Context Simpsons Couch Gags (@OOCCouchGags) September 9, 2024

Rest in peace, good sir Jones, and thank you for enriching cinema culture with your many talents and voice works.

James Earl Jones honored on the Empire State Building. Such a sad day ? pic.twitter.com/AVoeKeDMjQ

— Star Wars Holocron (@sw_holocron) September 9, 2024