« N“Oh, I am your father” (“No, I am your father”). This now cult line owes much to James Earl Jones, the voice from beyond the grave of Darth Vader in the saga Star Wars. The legendary American theater actor, who also distinguished himself in dubbing thanks to his baritone voice, notably by playing Mufasa in The Lion Kingdied at the age of 93, his agent announced on Monday, September 9.
To play Darth Vader, George Lucas chose the British giant David Prowse, who stands nearly 7 feet tall. But “George wanted a darker voice. So he hired a guy who was born in Mississippi, raised in Michigan, and stutters. And that voice is me,” James Earl Jones told the American Film Institute in 2009.
“One of the most brilliant actors, whose contribution to Star Wars was invaluable. He will be greatly missed,” reacted actor Mark Hamill, who plays Luke Skywalker in George Lucas’ saga. A tribute punctuated by a “RIP, dad” (“Rest in peace, dad”).
From Shakespeare to “The Lion King”
It was first on the stage that James Earl Jones, who overcame his stutter by reciting poems, helped by an English teacher, found success in the late 1950s. On Broadway, the African-American actor notably played in the play The Negroes by Jean Jenet, alongside the poet Maya Angelou and then plays Othello.
In more than 60 years of career, he won two Tony Awards (the awards of […] Read more
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