with power wisdom and a commanding presence that left an indelible mark on audiences worldwide today we celebrate the Life and Legacy of this iconic figure whose contributions to film and theater will forever echo in our hearts born in a small town in northern Michigan James Earl Jones faced numerous challenges early in life including a debilitating stutter yet it was this very struggle that led him to discover the power of His Voice through perseverance and dedication Jones transformed his speech impediment into a tool of unmatched expression captivating audiences with every word as we journey through his illustrious career we begin with his groundbreaking role as the voice of Darth Vader in George Lucas's Star Wars in the mid 1970s Lucas sought a voice that could embody the dark and menacing presence of the Sith Lord Jones with his boso profundo brought Darth Vader to life creating a character that would become a cultural phenomenon on despite initial disagreements on how to portray Vader Jones's subtle yet powerful delivery became iconic earning him a place in cinema history but Jones's talents were not confined to the galaxy far far away his portrayal of Mufasa and Disney's The Lion King showcased his ability to convey gentle wisdom and paternal strength endearing him to a new generation of fans his voice rich with emotion and Authority became the heart of the film teaching timeless lessons of courage and responsibility beyond the Silver Screen Jones's voice became the signature sound of CNN further cementing his status as a voice of a generation his nearly 200 film and television credits reflect a career marked by versatility and depth from celebrated stage performances to Unforgettable cinematic roles as we reflect on his legacy we remember James Earl Jones not just for his remarkable voice but for the spirit and richness he brought brought to every character his work has left an indelible mark on generations of audiences inspiring countless actors and filmmakers though he has passed his voice will continue to resonate a testament to a life dedicated to The Art of Storytelling as Bob Iger aptly stated from the gentle wisdom of Mufasa to the menacing threat of Darth Vader James Earl Jones gave voice to some of the greatest characters in cinema history today we honor James Earl Jones a true legend whose voice