How James Earl Jones recorded Darth Vader's voice in just 2 1/2 hours

From 1987: James Earl Jones on his biggest roles

James Earl Jones talks with Marian Etoile Watson about his voice, the Darth Vader role, and his latest Tony nomination in this segment from WNYW's McCreary Report. Originally aired May 31, 1987

LOS ANGELES - Actor James Earl Jones, best known for voicing Darth Vader in "Star Wars" and Mufasa in "The Lion King," has died at the age of 93 at his home in Dutchess County, New York, as confirmed by his agent, Barry McPherson. While the cause of death remains unclear, Jones' legendary career includes Emmy, Tony, and Honorary Oscar wins.

His impact on the "Star Wars" saga, in particular, is immense, yet one of the most surprising aspects of his role as Darth Vader was how efficiently he delivered such an iconic performance — recording all of his lines for the original film in just two and a half hours.

It is the remarkable speed and precision with which Jones shaped one of cinema's most memorable characters that makes his passing an even greater loss to many.

How did James Earl Jones record Darth Vader's voice in just two and a half hours?

James Earl Jones' portrayal of Darth Vader became one of the most famous voice acting roles in film history, yet many fans may not know that Jones recorded his lines for the original "Star Wars" in only two and a half hours.

In an interview with Conan O’Brien in 1995, Jones recounted the efficiency of the session, stating that his role, though pivotal, did not take much time in the studio.

James Earl Jones, the iconic voice of Darth Vader, stands beside the legendary character at a special event. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)

Jones explained that while David Prowse physically portrayed Darth Vader, the production team felt that Prowse’s voice did not match the imposing presence of the villain. George Lucas, searching for a more menacing and deep tone, initially considered Orson Welles but decided that Welles’ voice might be too recognizable. Ultimately, he chose James Earl Jones, whose deep voice was perfect for the iconic role.

What did James Earl Jones think about his role as Darth Vader?

Despite the speed with which he recorded his lines, Jones was unaware of the impact the role would have. In the interview, Jones admitted that no one involved in the project knew how influential the character of Darth Vader would become. His performance would go on to define the character for decades to come.