Born in Mississippi in January 1931, Jones said he suffered from a stutter that left him unable to speak for much of his childhood.
He explained that he developed his famous voice while researching ways to overcome his stutter.
Jones is best known for voicing Darth Vader in the original Star Wars film (1977) and its sequels The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.
He reprised the role in subsequent films, including Rogue One, the first film in the Star Wars anthology series, and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the third film in the sequel trilogy, both of which were released in the late 2010s.
Another actor in the Darth Vader costume was always assigned to perform the iconic villain's movements, including the late David Prowse, while Jones lent his deep, instantly recognizable voice.
“I love being a part of all that mythology, all that cult,” Jones said in a previous interview, adding that he's been more than happy to oblige fans who've asked him to commandingly recite the line, “I am your father.”
Jones has said he didn't make much money playing Darth Vader – he was paid just $9,000 (£6,884) for the first film – and he regarded it as mere special effects work.
By his own admission, he never received credit for his performance; he felt it was all just another “special effect”.
When the film broke all box office records, he had second thoughts.
Jones was also well known as a television actor, playing an older Alex Haley on Roots: The Next Generation and starring in the US drama Gabriel's Fire, for which he won two Emmy Awards.
His gravelly voice was used on The Simpsons, and he also appeared in early episodes of Sesame Street.
Jones has also portrayed many iconic Shakespearean characters on stage, including Othello and King Lear.
