James Earl Jones, one of Hollywood's most instantly recognizable voices for his roles in the 'Star Wars' movies and "The Lion King" ... is dead.
The actor's reps say he passed away at his home in upstate New York, surrounded by family members.
James was widely respected for his decades-long career in stage, TV and film productions -- most notably, perhaps, he delivered the booming and menacing voice of Darth Vader in multiple movies in the 'Star Wars' franchise.
He was also the paternal voice of Mufasa in Disney's original 'Lion King" -- but long before that, he got his first big movie in Stanley Kubrick's "Dr.