James Earl Jones, acclaimed actor and voice of Darth Vader, dead at 93

James Earl Jones, the beloved stage and screen actor who lent his iconic, deep voice to Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in The Lion King, has died at 93.
Regarded as one of the best actors of his generation, Jones’ career spanned Shakespeare to Hollywood hits. He is one of the few actors to have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony Award.
The actor’s death was reported by Deadline, via his representatives at Independent Artist Group.
James Earl Jones was born January 17, 1931 in Arkabutla, Mississippi and raised by his grandparents in Dublin, Michigan. While he would later become one of the most famous voices in the world, he says he suffered from a stutter in his youth.

“I was a stutterer. I couldn’t talk,” Jones recalled in a 1996 interview. “So my first year of school was my first mute year, and then those mute years continued until I got to high school.” A teacher encouraged him to overcome his stutter by reading poetry aloud.
Jones served in the US Army during the Korean War, and after decided to pursue a career in acting. He studied at the American Theatre Wing, working as a janitor to support himself. By the 1960s, Jones was establishing himself as one of his generation’s great Shakespearean actors, playing roles like Othello and King Lear. He also made his film debut in Stanley Kubrick’s classic 1964 comedy Dr. Strangelove, as bombadier Lt. Lothar Zogg.

In 1967, he played a boxer in The Great White Hope, winning the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play. He reprised the role in the 1970 film version, receiving his first Academy Award nomination.
Amidst all his acclaimed acting work, Jones soon landed his most well-known and iconic role — one where he didn’t even have to appear on set: voicing the villainous Darth Vader in Star Wars. While Vader was played in costume by David Prowse, Jones dubbed over the lines with his own deep bass voice, helping to create one of the most famous characters in movie history.
While Jones originally opted to go uncredited for the role, it has become perhaps his most famous performance. He continued to voice Vader for decades, in the two sequels The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, the prequel Revenge of the Sith and the spin-off Rogue One. In 2022, Jones retired from the role, but signed an agreement for his voice to be used in future projects using artificial intelligence and archive recordings.

Jones also provided the voice of another beloved movie character, Mufasa in the 1994 Disney film The Lion King. Jones later reprised the role in the 2019 remake.
Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, Jones appeared in many Hollywood films, including Conan the Barbarian, Coming to America, Field of Dreams, and The Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games and The Sandlot. He also won his second Tony Award, starring in the original production of August Wilson’s Fences.
He received eight Emmy Award nominations for his television work, winning twice in 1991: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for Heat Wave and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Gabriel’s Fire.

Jones also continued to perform on Broadway: over the past 20 years he starred in revivals of On Golden Pond, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Driving Miss Daisy, The Best Man and You Can’t Take it With You.
Jones was the recipient of many awards and honors throughout his acclaimed career. He received an Honorary Academy Award in 2011, making him one of the only people to have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award, known as “EGOT.” Broadway’s Cort Theatre was renamed the James Earl Jones Theatre in his honor in 2022.
Rest in peace to the iconic James Earl Jones, one of the greatest actors of our time — please share this

I Found 3 Trash Bags in My Brother and SIL’s Basement – What Was Inside Shocked Me

Seven months pregnant, I agreed to house-sit for my brother and his wife while they vacationed. One afternoon, I stumbled across three mysterious trash bags in the basement. What I found inside made me run for my life and haunts me to this day.

“Run, faster, faster, Celina,” a voice screamed in my head as I stumbled through the dense woods behind my brother’s mansion. Seven months pregnant, I gasped for air, one hand clutching my swollen belly, the other pushing away branches that scratched at my face…

A woman running in the woods | Source: Midjourney

A woman running in the woods | Source: Midjourney

The next bus stop was just beyond these trees. How could I have been so blind? So trusting?

I glanced down at my trembling hands, sticky with drying blood. Wiping them on my dress, I whispered, “We’re safe, my baby. We’re safe. Someone will get us home.”

It all started two weeks ago…

I was curled up on the couch, scrolling through my phone when it buzzed with an incoming call. My brother Victor’s name flashed on the screen.

A smartphone with the screen flashing with an incoming call | Source: Midjourney

A smartphone with the screen flashing with an incoming call | Source: Midjourney

“Hey, big bro! What’s up?” I answered, trying to sound cheerful despite the tension that had been building between us lately.

“Celina! How’s my favorite sister?” Victor’s voice boomed through the speaker. “Listen, I’ve got a huge favor to ask. Anne and I are heading out of town for a week. A friend’s wedding plus a little vacation. Any chance you or Paul could house-sit for us?”

Before I could respond, I heard rustling and then my sister-in-law Anne’s voice came on the line.

“Oh, Celina, you’ll love staying here! Don’t worry about a thing, sweetie. The house practically runs itself.”

A woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney

A woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney

I hesitated, thinking about the cold shoulder Anne had been giving me lately.

Our relationship had become increasingly strained over the past year, ever since Paul’s business took off and our financial situation improved dramatically.

Meanwhile, Victor had faced a string of failed ventures, and I could see the toll it was taking on him and Anne.

Portrait of an upset couple | Source: Midjourney

Portrait of an upset couple | Source: Midjourney

The last straw seemed to be my pregnancy announcement. While the rest of the family had been overjoyed, Anne’s reaction was lukewarm at best.

She didn’t even bother to show up for the gender reveal party, citing being “too busy” when I called to ask why she’d missed it.

I knew it was a lie. Anne and Victor had been trying for years to conceive, with no success due to some health issues she faced. My easy pregnancy seemed to be salt in her wounds.

A gender reveal party | Source: Midjourney

A gender reveal party | Source: Midjourney

There was also the incident last month when Anne hosted a party to celebrate Victor finally landing a big contract. Paul and I weren’t invited, and when I politely confronted her about it later, she brushed it off with a flimsy excuse about “limited space.”

The hurt and confusion I felt then still lingered.

But now, here she was, asking me to house-sit. Was this her way of extending an olive branch? Maybe she was finally ready to move past her jealousy and resentment.

A woman lost in deep thought | Source: Midjourney

A woman lost in deep thought | Source: Midjourney

Despite my reservations, I found myself wanting to believe that this could be a turning point in our relationship.

“Sure, I’d be happy to,” I said, hope creeping into my voice. “When do you need me?”

“Morning, eight, yeah?”

“Alright, I’ll be there.”

As I hung up, my husband Paul walked in, his brow furrowing as he took in my expression.

“What’s wrong, honey?”

A concerned man smiling | Source: Midjourney

A concerned man smiling | Source: Midjourney

I explained the situation, watching as concern clouded his features.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” he asked gently. “Things have been tense with Anne lately.”

I sighed, rubbing my belly absently. “I know, but maybe this is her way of trying to patch things up? Besides, it might be nice to get away for a bit before the baby comes.”

Paul didn’t look convinced, his brow furrowing with worry.

A worried man sitting on the couch | Source: Midjourney

A worried man sitting on the couch | Source: Midjourney

“I wish I could join you, but I’ve got those crucial client meetings all week,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “Are you absolutely sure about this, darling?”

I nodded, trying to project more confidence than I felt. “It’ll be fine, honey. I can handle it.”

Paul didn’t look convinced, but he nodded. “Alright, if you’re sure. Just promise me you’ll be careful, okay?”

I leaned in, kissing him softly. “I promise. I’ll be fine.”

A pregnant woman sitting on the couch | Source: Midjourney

A pregnant woman sitting on the couch | Source: Midjourney

The following morning, I stood outside Victor and Anne’s mansion, waving goodbye to Paul as he drove away after dropping me.

My brother and sister-in-law emerged, suitcases in hand.

“Celina!” Victor swept me into a gentle hug, keeping a distance from my bulging belly. “Thanks again for doing this. We really appreciate it.”

Silhouette of a woman standing outside a mansion | Source: Midjourney

Silhouette of a woman standing outside a mansion | Source: Midjourney

Anne’s smile seemed forced as she air-kissed my cheek.

“Yes, thank you,” she said, her voice overly sweet. “Everything you need is inside. We’ve got to run to the airport. Have a great week, darling!”

And just like that, they were gone, leaving me alone in the massive house.

A worried woman in a mansion | Source: Midjourney

A worried woman in a mansion | Source: Midjourney

I wandered from room to room, feeling oddly out of place.

My phone buzzed with a text from Paul: “Miss you already. Call if you need anything. Love you both. 😘

I smiled, replying quickly before settling onto the couch. As night fell, the house seemed to grow larger and emptier.

The taxidermied animals on the walls seemed to stare back at me, intensifying the feeling that I was being watched.

A pregnant woman sitting amid an eerie display of taxidermied animals | Source: Midjourney

A pregnant woman sitting amid an eerie display of taxidermied animals | Source: Midjourney

Three days passed in a blur of Netflix binges and long naps.

On the fourth morning, I decided to be a little productive. After my daily call with Paul, I cleaned the kitchen and headed to the basement to check on the furnace.

As I reached the bottom of the stairs, my eyes fell on three large garbage bags tucked in a corner.

“Weird,” I muttered. “Anne must’ve forgotten to take these out.”

Three fully-loaded trash bags in a basement | Source: Midjourney

Three fully-loaded trash bags in a basement | Source: Midjourney

I snapped a quick picture, sending it to her with a joking message: “Forgot something? Don’t worry, I’ve got trash duty covered!😉”

Seconds later, my phone exploded with notifications. A text from Anne read: “DON’T TOUCH THEM! SERIOUSLY, GET OUT OF OUR BASEMENT! NOW.”

Before I could process her reaction, she called.

I answered, confused. “Anne? What’s wrong?”

“Celina, listen to me,” she hissed. “Get out of the basement. Now. Don’t look in those bags. Just go upstairs and pretend you never saw them.”

A woman gaping in shock as she holds her phone | Source: Midjourney

A woman gaping in shock as she holds her phone | Source: Midjourney

“But—”

“Just Go. Please.”

“Okay, okay,” I said, backing away. “I’m leaving now.”

I hung up, my heart pounding. What could possibly be in those bags that would make Anne react like that?

Despite every instinct screaming at me to run, curiosity won out.

An alarmed pregnant woman standing against the backdrop of trash bags in a basement | Source: Midjourney

An alarmed pregnant woman standing against the backdrop of trash bags in a basement | Source: Midjourney

I approached the nearest bag, my hands shaking as I untied the knot.

As I pulled it open, the bag tore and the contents spilled out onto the floor. The moment my eyes registered what lay before me, my blood turned to ice in my veins.

Ritual tools. Decayed chicken bones and feathers. And voodoo dolls. Dozens of crude, handmade dolls, each bearing a photo of MY FACE. Many were stained with a dark, reddish-brown substance and reeked of rot. The stench of decay filled the air, making my stomach churn.

“Oh my God,” I whispered, stumbling backward. “Oh my God, oh my God. This can’t be—”

A voodoo doll with a woman's picture on it | Source: Midjourney

A voodoo doll with a woman’s picture on it | Source: Midjourney

I fumbled for my phone, dialing Paul with trembling fingers.

“Baby,” I choked out when he answered. “I need you to come get me. Now.”

“Celina, breathe,” Paul’s voice crackled through the speaker. “What happened?”

A terrified woman gaping in shock | Source: Midjourney

A terrified woman gaping in shock | Source: Midjourney

I tried to explain between gasps, my words tumbling out in a panicked jumble.

“Bags in the basement… voodoo dolls with my face… blood… Paul, I think Anne’s been trying to curse our baby!”

“Jesus Christ,” Paul muttered. “Okay, listen to me. Get out of that house right now. Don’t wait for me, just go to the bus stop on the main road. I’m on my way.”

I didn’t need to be told twice. I raced up the stairs, pausing only to grab my purse before bolting out the front door. The woods behind the house offered a shortcut to the road, and I plunged in without hesitation.

A frightened woman running in the woods | Source: Midjourney

A frightened woman running in the woods | Source: Midjourney

Branches whipped at my face as I ran, my pregnant belly making it hard to maneuver. I could hear my ragged breathing, punctuated by the snapping of twigs beneath my feet.

Finally, I burst out onto the road, the bus stop just a few yards away. I collapsed onto the bench, gulping in air, my hands and clothes smeared with dirt and blood from my frantic flight through the woods.

Paul’s car screeched to a halt in front of me minutes later. He leapt out, rushing to my side. “Celina! Are you okay? The baby?”

A startled man gaping in shock | Source: Midjourney

A startled man gaping in shock | Source: Midjourney

I nodded weakly, allowing him to help me into the car. As we sped away, I recounted everything I’d seen in a shaky voice.

Paul’s knuckles were white on the steering wheel. “I knew we shouldn’t have trusted them,” he muttered. “Especially not Anne. The way she’s been acting lately…”

“I can’t believe she’d do this,” I whispered, tears streaming down my face. “My own sister-in-law… how could she hate me this much?”

Paul reached over, squeezing my hand. “We’ll figure this out, I promise. For now, let’s just get you home and safe.”

A shocked woman holding her face | Source: Midjourney

A shocked woman holding her face | Source: Midjourney

The next few days passed in a haze of fear and disbelief.

Anne called repeatedly, but Paul insisted I shouldn’t speak to her until Victor returned. When they finally got back from their trip, I steeled myself for the confrontation.

We met at a neutral location, a quiet café downtown. Victor looked confused and concerned as I recounted what I’d found, while Anne’s face cycled through shock, anger, and finally, defeat.

A shocked young man | Source: Midjourney

A shocked young man | Source: Midjourney

“Is this true?” Victor demanded, turning to his wife. “Have you been… what, practicing witchcraft against my sister?”

Anne’s shoulders slumped. “I… I was jealous,” she whispered. “Your sister got everything so easily… the perfect husband, the thriving business, the baby. I just wanted what she had.”

Victor recoiled in horror. “This is insane, Anne. You need help.”

An alarmed woman looking at a man | Source: Midjourney

An alarmed woman looking at a man | Source: Midjourney

“I’m so sorry,” Anne sobbed, reaching for my hand. I pulled away, shaking my head.

“Sorry isn’t enough. You tried to hurt my baby. I can never forgive that.”

In the weeks that followed, our family splintered. Victor filed for divorce, unable to reconcile with Anne’s actions. My parents were devastated, torn between their children and the shocking betrayal.

As for me, I struggled to shake off the fear and paranoia that had taken root. Every unexplained noise, every twinge in my belly sent me into a panic.

Paul was my rock, holding me through tearful nights and accompanying me to every doctor’s appointment to ensure our baby was healthy.

A sad woman sitting on the couch | Source: Midjourney

A sad woman sitting on the couch | Source: Midjourney

Slowly, life began to normalize. But as I sat in our nursery, folding tiny onesies and dreaming of the future, I couldn’t help but feel a lingering sense of unease.

My phone buzzed with a text from a friend: “How are you holding up?”

I typed out a response, trying to put my jumbled thoughts into words: “Still processing everything. It’s hard to believe someone so close could betray us like that. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: don’t blindly trust someone just because you know them. Terror can strike from unexpected places, even from those closest to you. Stay safe out there.🙏🏻

I set down my phone, resting a hand on my belly. Our daughter kicked, strong and healthy despite everything. “We’re okay, little one,” I whispered. “We always will be.”

A woman holding her baby bump | Source: Midjourney

A woman holding her baby bump | Source: Midjourney

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

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