The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / Actor, CNN Voice & Darth Vader: James Earl Jones Dies At 93

**Posted by RadioActive** September 9, 2024 5:17 pm

He had that voice that was instantly recognizable and could never be duplicated. It's amazing to think James Earl Jones - the voice of Darth Vader and CNN - started out in life with a terrible stutter. But he overcame it to become not only a great voice over artist but an intense and amazing actor.

That "voice" was silenced on Monday, when Jones died at the age of 93. He went the way most of us would like to go - in his sleep.

He is, quite simply, irreplaceable for all he could do on and off screen.

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

**Posted by RadioActive** September 9, 2024 5:29 pm

Everyone remembers Jones from his movies, but my all time favourite moment of his was on a great TV show that only ran on ABC for one too-short season. It was called "Gabriel's Fire," and it was about a former cop who went to jail for shooting his partner in a raid gone wrong.

When a crusading lawyer helps him get out of prison after decades on the inside, he goes to a street vendor for a hot dog - something he hasn't had in years. It was always my favourite scene and all these years later, I've never forgotten the sheer joy of seeing a man eat some street meat.

The show eventually morphed into a sequel called "Pros and Cons" with Richard Crenna, but it never had the dark brooding acting or scripts that "Fire" used to light up the screen in its one short 1990 season. But what a great actor and what a great scene!

**Posted by mace** September 9, 2024 5:46 pm

Scheduled on Thursdays at 9pm against then #1 rated Cheers certainly helped in the series lasting only 22 episodes. As for the followup series Pros & Cons, it was sunk by the NBC duo of Cosby and A Different World.

**Posted by newsguy1** September 9, 2024 6:43 pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhXhGQATiY4

This old Paul Harvey Rest of the Story purports to be the origin story of James Earl Jones.

**Posted by TomTV** September 9, 2024 8:27 pm

RadioActive wrote:
That "voice" was silenced on Monday, when Jones died at the age of 93. He went the way most of us would like to go - in his sleep.

Where does it say that he passed away in his sleep? I read the article and searched online, but everything I've read has so far stated that the cause of death was not disclosed. I'm sure it was indeed due to his age and not some horrible disease, but I've yet to see any source mention he died in his sleep.

**Posted by RadioActive** September 9, 2024 9:19 pm

TomTV wrote:
RadioActive wrote:
That "voice" was silenced on Monday, when Jones died at the age of 93. He went the way most of us would like to go - in his sleep.
Where does it say that he passed away in his sleep? I read the article and searched online, but everything I've read has so far stated that the cause of death was not disclosed. I'm sure it was indeed due to his age and not some horrible disease, but I've yet to see any source mention he died in his sleep.

Interesting. On re-accessing the AP page, I find they've removed that sentence. When I first posted it several hours ago, there was a reference to it in the first graph or two. It was one of those things that stood out to me. I wonder why they edited it out.

**Posted by newsguy1** September 9, 2024 9:51 pm

He was 93, for crying out loud.

**Posted by Radiowiz** September 10, 2024 7:10 am

newsguy1 wrote:
He was 93, for crying out loud.

Timeless classic: