James Earl Jones, legendary voice of Darth Vader and Mufasa, has died

James Earl Jones, the renowned actor and EGOT winner who lent his legendary voice to Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in The Lion King, died Monday morning at the age of 93, his agent confirmed to IGN.

Jones made his feature film debut in Stanley Kubrick's 1964 classic Dr. Strangelove and has since directed more than 80 other films. The most famous include Conan the Barbarian (1982), Matewan (1987), Coming to America (1988), Field of Dreams (1989), The Hunt for Red October (1990) and The Sandlot (1993).

Born in Arkabutla, Mississippi, in 1931, Jones studied acting at the University of Michigan before serving in the Korean War. After his service, he moved to New York and rose to prominence in the early 1960s through his work in the theater, taking on Shakespearean roles such as Othello and King Lear.

But when Jones started accepting film roles, it was his voice that really made him a star, as his distinctive baritone lent dignity to heroes and villains alike. He famously overcame a severe stutter to become one of Hollywood's most memorable voices. In 2014, he told NPR it was “bad enough” that for much of his childhood he simply “didn't want to speak.”

Still, he was the first to voice Darth Vader in the original 1977 Star Wars film, and he reprised that voice in The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983). It's hard to imagine Vader being nearly as menacing without Jones' famous portrayal.

Jones also lent his voice to Disney’s animated mega-hit “The Lion King” in 1994 in the role of Mufasa.

During his illustrious career, Jones has received three Tony Awards, two Emmy Awards, a Grammy Award, and an honorary Oscar in 2011. He was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in 1970's The Great White Hope. His numerous other honors include induction into the American Theater Hall of Fame, a National Medal of Arts, and a Life Achievement Award from the Screen Actors Guild.

Jones leaves behind a son, Flynn, whom he had with his late wife, actress Cecilia Hart.

Photo credit: Daniel Zuchnik/WireImage

Alex Stedman is IGN's senior news editor covering entertainment. When she's not writing or editing, you can find her reading fantasy novels or playing Dungeons & Dragons.