The “Circle of Life” takes on new meaning now that James Earl Jones, the legendary actor and voice of “The Lion King’s” Mufasa, has passed away at the age of 93.

The Voice We Almost Never Heard

Jones, a Mississippi native who later moved to Michigan, faced early childhood trauma that led to a stutter and several years of not speaking, based on a CNN profile.

“I was mute from grade one through freshman year in high school — mute because I just gave up on talking,” the actor explained in a 1986 interview with KCRA-3. “I can’t cut it. You’re mute that long, you become very curious about expressing yourself.”

James Earl Jones Found His Voice

His interest in self-expression, shaped by his early challenges, would lead to a voice that resonated across the globe. Jones’ voice became one of Hollywood’s most iconic and recognizable, a gift to the entertainment industry that reverberated for decades.

The deep baritone-voiced star would go on to hone his craft at the University of Michigan in the early 1950s. However, after failing a pre-med exam, he switched to drama and played four seasons of basketball. He then served in the Army from 1953 to 1955, via Fortune.

After Jones’ short stint in the armed forces, he moved to New York and stayed with his father, joining the American Theater Wing’s program for aspiring actors. The duo worked together waxing floors to make ends meet while pursuing their acting careers.

It didn’t take long for the younger Jones to shine, landing lead roles in Shakespearean plays. His big screen debut came in 1964 when he played a B-52 bombardier in Stanley Kubrick’s iconic “Dr. Strangelove,” per CNN.

In 1967, Jones leveled up with the role of boxer Jack Johnson in the stage production of “The Great White Hope,” a game-changing performance that won him a Tony Award. Three years later, he brought that same energy to the film adaptation, becoming only the second Black man — after Sidney Poitier — to be nominated for an Academy Award.

James Earl Jones Becomes A Household Name

By the mid-’70s, Jones was already a household name, consistently securing roles in both film and TV, most notably known for voicing Darth Vader in “Star Wars.”

Over the next five decades, the EGOT winner delivered unforgettable performances in everything from playing Alex Haley in “Roots: The Next Generations,” to leading as the fierce warlord Thulsa Doom in “Conan the Barbarian,” and an African king in “Coming to America.” He also left a mark in “Field of Dreams,” “The Hunt for Red October,” and as a South African preacher in “Cry, the Beloved Country.”

For many Millennials, their introduction to Jones was in the 1994 Disney film “The Lion King.” He would reprise his role as Mufasa, voicing the live-action remake of the movie in 2019 alongside Donald Glover and Beyoncé.

Ensuring His Voice Lived Forever

According to Forbes, Jones worked to ensure that Darth Vader’s iconic timbre would live on beyond him. After his original role in Star Wars, he voiced the character in every subsequent film. However, he retired from that spot in 2019.

In 2022, Jones officially signed over the rights to Lucasfilm, allowing the studio to recreate his iconic voice using artificial intelligence. As reported by Vanity Fair, Lucasfilm wanted to keep Darth Vader’s legendary voice consistent with the original sound from the early Star Wars films. To make it happen, they teamed up with Respeecher, a Ukrainian tech company, using AI to recreate the iconic voice.

By leveraging James Earl Jones’ past performances, they trained the speech model to capture his unique tone. Jones gave the green light to use his archives for the project.

An Icon Worth Honor

Jones’ long and decorated career earned him the respect of his peers and those who had long admired and followed his life’s work.

“Thank you dear James Earl Jones for everything. A master of our craft. We stand on your shoulders. Rest now. You gave us your best,” actor Colman Domingo said via X.

“I’m incredibly saddened to learn of #JamesEarlJones’ passing today. Legendary doesn’t even begin to describe his iconic roles and impact on cinema forever. His voice and talent will be remembered always. Sending love to his family, friends, and countless fans in all the galaxies, far, far away,” actress Octavia Spencer penned via Instagram.

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Jones’ dedication to the art of acting garnered him a reported $40 million net worth. However, his dedication to the craft was his greatest treasure.

He is one of the few entertainers to have won the EGOT title, earning two Emmy Awards, two Tony Awards, and a Grammy Award. In 2011, he was recognized with an Academy Honorary Award for his “legacy of consistent excellence and uncommon versatility.” By 2019, his contributions were further recognized when he was inducted as a Disney Legend at the D23 Expo.