James Earl Jones Recorded Darth Vader in a Couple of Hours | Late Night with Conan O’Brien

(Original Airdate: 12/14/95) James Earl Jones talks about being Irish and celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, the products he promotes with his famous voice, and the recording of Darth Vader.
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Running from 1993-2009, Late Night with Conan O’Brien is one of the most beloved late night shows in television history. Known for its absurdist humor, hilarious celebrity interviews and featuring the best stand-up comedians and musical acts of the ‘90s and early 2000s. Hosted by Conan O’Brien alongside sidekick Andy Richter and house band Max Weinberg and the Max Weinberg 7, Late Night with Conan O’Brien featured unforgettable segments like “If They Mated”, “In the Year 2000”, “Desk Drive”, and made a breakout star of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog.

[@LPJack02]

RIP James Earl Jones (January 17, 1931 - September 9, 2024), aged 93 You will be remembered as a legend.

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

Yes and the characters darth vader of Star Wars and mafusa of the lion king will be sad to hear about the man who voiced and played that character many years ago to no longer be here anymore

[@jameshardie9914]

He was a true legend for sure. He portrayed mufasa to be a childhood hero of mine

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

@@jameshardie9914yeah and I remember that film lion king when I first watched it

[@jameshardie9914]

@@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329 me too, I think I was about 5 when I first watched it

[@MrTerryb1956]

@@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329Earl is The Lion King RIP Sir

[@janemba204]

I love that James ALWAYS acknowledges David Prowse whenever he’s asked about Darth Vader

[@luigivincenz3843]

and David Prowse always deflected to JEJ as Darth Vader in interviews. He was a gentleman.

[@Lethgar_Smith]

He based his performance on what Prowse was doing behind the mask. You can see it when you watch the outttakes that dont have Jones's voice added yet and you can see James Earl Jones is using the same inflections and intensity that Prowse is obviously aiming for. The sad part to that story is that Lucas never told Prowse that his voice would be looped by another actor. He found out at the premier.

[@jeremianderson4861]

That’s respect!👊🏽

[@MrMarsFargo]

​@@Lethgar_Smith You wanna know it's even crueler? David Prowse later revealed he KNEW the voice would be re-recorded later... but he thought HE was gonna get to do it. That's why his voice on-set vocals sound terrible. He wasn't phoning it in, he was just focussing on the _physical performance_ because he was gonna wait to focus on the voice later (when they were actually recording it for real). This was similar for Anthony Daniels approach, who was also told he could "phone in" his on-set vocals (since he'd get to re-record them later) and just worry about the physical performance during filming. David Prowse was _ALSO_ told this, thinking he'd get to redo the voice later, and then Lucas redid them with another actor instead without telling him. That's what makes the way Lucas treated him EXTRA shitty.

[@Mokkari77]

Producer Gary Kurtz should have told him because he was the one to communicate things to the cast and crew because Lucas is quiet person. Lucas assumed Prowse knew it would be a different actor. The only reason Daniels did 3PO's voice was they tried it with American actors doing a "used car salesman" persona Lucas originally envisioned but it didn't fit with Daniels' performance. Vader with David Prowse's English farmer accent sounded ridiculous(it's on KZbin). If he really was serious he should have known to speak in a more posh upper class accent. It's no wonder the crew thought the movie was going to be a turkey.

[@sxt4447]

This is a random fact I just learned but James Earl Jones not only has a stutter, but for eight years of his childhood he was totally mute. Now he has one of the most recognizable and beloved voices in film & tv history. What an incredible journey!

[@gaila.9852]

Has or had?

[@crashfan9997]

I didn't remember this until I was told about it but I also needed speech therapy around 5-6 years old too

[@NicShadowjensen]

Yea

[@Gen_Kael]

Imagine the world being robbed of such a voice

[@prophetuncut]

He stutters in the hit movie " Claudine" in the 70's. RIP Diahann Carroll.

[@keltrepes2534]

I truly believe that The Empire Strikes Back was his magnum opus. He may not have appeared physically in the film, but that was when he made Darth Vader truly iconic.

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

You almost think that James *is* on set with Mark instead of David Prowse.

[@VinVonVoom]

Darth Vader was iconic since the first film. He put out a great performance in every movie.

[@johnh8705]

Lion King

[@herrbrahms]

The voice is vast, resonant, unbounded. It has all the power of a dark lord ruling a galaxy. It's magnificent.

[@nagger8216]

It was just Vader at his best, honestly. In A New Hope they didn't refine his character yet, and by Jedi he was far less intimidating.

[@grimdicer152]

When a legend like this makes it all the way to 93 I'm not really sad when they pass, but more full of admiration and appreciation for such a fantastic run. What an incredible man and an awesome legacy.

[@andrealee6191]

Yes, indeed! God Bless him, James Earl Jones, rest in the Lord's Grace and 💗🙏🏼

[@projectnerdvana2820]

Yup same.

[@TheMitcher]

rest in peace. that legendary voice now reverberates through heaven

[@HutchIsOnYT]

If only

[@judydayot626]

One of the greatest and iconic voices of all time. Same with Alan Rickman and Jeremy Irons. James Earl Jones is so regal and majestic.❤️

[@eamonob84]

Morgan Freeman as well, I’d say.

[@tadeudimas6489]

And Vincent Price of course

[@beastvader]

And Michael Caine

[@kingofthering3343]

Peter Cullen too

[@sdmugabe]

He's got that Mufasa voice, maybe that's why he sounds so kingly

[@robertleslie2467]

James Earl Jones. An American treasure. And a down to earth just a guy like us that will make you think and laugh out loud. How can you not love this man?

[@philippkresin7733]

and like 1/256th Irish treasure!

[@BlackDiamond2718]

Especially when he is in space most of the time. :)

[@-C.S.R]

He rarely does the interviews, so that must've been huge for Conan to get him on the show!

[@michaelsbyandersen9996]

Still Conan did all the talking 🥴

[@azracore3974]

His voice is so rich and smooth. There could be no other Darth Vader.

[@junkyporpoise4254]

Bro’s voice is like chocolate.

[@azracore3974]

@@junkyporpoise4254 Like chocolate covered in oil! So smooth!

[@Daniel-hm8xq]

The guy who does the Latino American dubbing is excellent and quite the rival to that title.. but JEJ is certainly the GOAT

[@Raven77559]

James' voice was soothing and his persona was gentle strength.

[@reginabillotti]

@OrderOfTheGash There are lots of people who could have fit in the suit. And if you ever heard the voice of Prowse, you would understand why Lucas wanted to overdub him.

[@predetor911]

Rest in Peace James Earl Jones. Your work will always be remembered 😭

[@tbecker97204]

James actually has a very *wicked* sense of humor. Thank you, Conan, for sharing this with us.

[@tommyt1971]

Greatest voice in movie history.

[@metallicarabbit]

totally agree, his voice gives me goose bumps

[@dancollins8296]

Hard to argue that.

[@brandonkeaton5571]

yep. Him and Christopher Lee

[@whctjsdlfqhrlfprl]

agree

[@tommyt1971]

@@brandonkeaton5571 Ving Rhames is another one.

[@RetroReef]

We’re officially our dads now. Once they would sit around and watch repeats of Carson and now here we are.

[@Brinta3]

I’m not from America, so genuine question: Were shows like Carson ever repeated on television, months or years later? Seems to me that such shows are mainly about current events and thus only shown once.

[@circumventreality3770]

@@Brinta3 yes, but only when it was still on the air when they didn't have a new episode available (usually a best of), or on one of the retro cable TV stations perhaps.

[@socratese5]

Except our dads didn’t play video games while eating edibles listening to Joe Rogan talk about DMT and the entities you encounter on it, while having KZbin videos on talking about how our reality May be a simulation And how social media is changing the fabric of society, intermixed with videos showing dogs riding bikes and cats typing on keyboards. It’s gotten a lot weirder since then…😂

[@33DRAGON02]

We used to watch the old western films together, his favorite. Now I do.

[@noam65]

@@Brinta3 they are on KZbin, but they also appear on a retro cable channel. As much as the current crop are trying, and though they are wonderful, I still enjoy seeing the stars and celebrities that I grew up with.

[@equarg]

RIP James Earl Jones. You are now one with the Force.

[@kurtdewittphoto]

His laugh is incredible.

[@andrewmacdonald4833]

He was truly unique...loved his voice..Vale James Earl Jones.

[@melvis0803]

His voice is just like smooth silk!🥰

[@redfox4220]

Rest easy James, your voice work and acting will always be cheerished ❤️

[@GuilainMusic]

The first sentence he says is so beautiful it sounds like it was recorded in a recording booth.

[@StaggerOmega]

RIP James Earl Jones. You provided so much joy through all statges of my life.

[@jpnoy]

His laugh is so infectious RIP Mr Jones 👑

[@shutup2751]

wow james charisma is off the charts, that man could talk all day and i wouldn't get bored

[@morpheusspirit6609]

Great actor. Great voice. True legend. I salute you, sir. 🫡 RIP James.

[@miketyler7616]

He was such a humble and kind man. RIP James

[@georgeallen7101]

The best Conan baddie . What a fantastic voice . What a total gentleman.

[@bhunt799]

James Earl Jones and Keith David are tied as my favorite celebrity voices.

[@Terryfan]

I would have paid to see a movie with the two gentlemen just playing cards and having a conversation

[@otisroseboro5613]

R.I.P To a Great Actor James Earl Jones You Will Be Missed 😢

[@edub9930]

One of the greatest voices of all time. Not just acting, but of all time! RIP good sir

[@uprebel5150]

James Earl Jones is one of the greatest MICHIGAN Alums. He did the voiceover yearly for the video prior to the MICHIGAN home football games including this year at age 93 which was fantastic. He will be sorely missed. Hail To The Victors because he surely was one. Go Blue‼️

[@mikevanroy9356]

"This is CNN, the most trusted name in news." - Darth Vader

[@IronMan-tk8uc]

Always trust the Empire!

[@ericdraven7185]

Been a fan of him since I was a small kid and seen star wars in theaters in the early 70's... and a fan of much of his other movies.. Almost 52 years old now. Sad Day RIP James.

[@bvrstmode818]

Rest in peace to an absolute legend of a man. From growing up watching Star Wars and the Sandlot, you’ve had such an impact on so many people. Long live James! ❤❤❤

[@kriegsherrcult178]

I'll always remember this dude's voice from The lion king...I call it the Muffasa voice whenever I hear it....I Never knew he did Darth Vader's voice too!...

[@hansenfiet2539]

The top two, most recognizable actor voices of all time: James Earl Jones and Alan Rickman. Neither can be duplicated!

[@Altair885]

Oney cartoons do a pretty good take of Alan Rickman in their parody of Harry Potter! 😂

[@Scifogon]

Don't forget James Mason!

[@scottrackley4457]

Eastwood, Reeves, Denzel, Brosnan, there are many examples. Cadence, inflection, and dialect. I identify voice quicker than likeness though.

[@kgunitkeese17]

You can’t forget Jeremy Irons.

[@scottrackley4457]

@@kgunitkeese17 also true, there are many, and some not actors. Tiger, both Jacks, Sir Patrick, Steve Irwin.

[@cmillett0]

RIP Legend 😔🕊🕊🙏

[@Hunting380]

The drink motion he did KILLED me 🤣

[@kellysmith5873]

Too funny 😄😆😅🤣😂

[@besterjack8243]

Was für ein unglaublich toller Schauspieler.

[@bruth6138]

Jame Earl Jones is such a legend.

[@PhoenixPrime]

Rest in Peace, James Earl Jones ❤❤❤

[@dnakatomiuk]

Every movie this man is in is always brilliant that voice man

[@FoxDergyCrest]

I didn't realize how wonderful of a laugh James Earl Jones has

[@lieutenantwolf5437]

Rest in peace u absolute icon and legend

[@33736]

What a classy guy, a true icon. RIP Mr. Jones.

[@manontherails4937]

James Earl Jones - the most humblest persons ever, and that makes him legendary. BTW - Richard Harris played Professor Dumbledore (if that was not noted previously).

[@allendracabal0819]

Harris was Dumbledore only in the first two films.

[@manontherails4937]

@@allendracabal0819 correct

[@allendracabal0819]

@@manontherails4937 Yes, I know it is correct. That's why I wrote it.

[@manontherails4937]

@@allendracabal0819 How do I block you???

[@allendracabal0819]

@@manontherails4937 I'm not sure, but I don't plan to write here again, so it probably won't be necessary.

[@bxpress6507]

I absolutely loved James Earl Jones in "Coming to America" 😎👍

[@barryguff6893]

"I always assumed you had sex with your bathers... I know I do!" - My brother and I always laugh at that, imagining him rubbing his clothes against his crotch. :)

[@jakemiranda5851]

Incredible. His voice is waay more powerful on that show than in the clip. Wow! RIP. My Hero!

[@davidr9614]

Iconic voice and an unforgettable legend

[@Ste-_.]

What a lovely guy, some celebs you can tell straight away they’re just doing their bare minimum so they can get paid and jump back in their limo, watching James for 30 seconds you can tell straight away he was a genuinely warm & friendly person and GRATEFUL for the life he had. I was genuinely saddened to see he had died, my words were “Star Wars is dead”(despite Disney pretty much killing it!) Rest In Peace Lord Vader 🫡

[@MH-yd9he]

James Earl Jones and his voice will be missed. RIP

[@jazminratzlaff5357]

What an unforgettable memorable interview, love that James Earl Jones acknowledges David Prowse when Darth Vader is asked about. Such a sweetheart of a handsome gentleman and what a voice, love his infectious childlike smile and contagious laugh. Forever one of the kings and titans of cinema, television and theatre. ❤ 😍🥰😘🤩🌟✨👑💎🏆⚜️ 🎞️ 🎭 📺 🎥 🎬

[@landonjwinters]

Rest in peace, legend❤

[@madduxnagel6935]

Thank you for everything, James.

[@rokkslide]

He seemed like such a nice dude. RIP.

[@Crossfit234]

RIP James Earl Jones, beautiful voice and a great man 🙏🏾 🕊

[@duckhive]

love him in Field of Dreams

[@brianyule1289]

Richard Harris & James Earl Jones in one scene - that's quite a voice-off

[@atranfanatic]

James Earl Jones is the man being the voice of my favorite villain of all time! Darth Vader!

[@ruthcollins2841]

I fancied Darth Vader due to the voice. Was so disappointed when the "helmet" was taken off!😢

[@JohnDoe-qu7gm]

Dude is so awesome. He was gold on Big Bang Theory. He’s just like everyone’s grandpa.

[@colleenforrest7936]

His tie matched my screen saver!

[@donrobinson5662]

That man's voice will live forever!!

[@eliasringquist]

One of the best voices ever around!

[@DaveMorley-q5d]

RIP James Earl Jones. He was so much more than the voice that made him famous. I looked up his list of awards. Wow... 93 - a good innings.

[@RobinPortnoff]

The best voice ever.

[@Da1Dez]

James could make you go from approaching a friendly man to being stunned into silence once he talks.

[@kgunitkeese17]

Along with Mufasa. Voiced both the GREATEST and WORST fathers in cinema.

[@mdrakic]

Conan has always been, and still is, a living legend.

[@RSTI191]

O'Brian was good. Johnny Carson is legend..

[@TheJedi05]

One of the greatest actors of our time and an amazing human being. Sad that he has now retired as Darth Vader. You simply cannot simulate James Earl Jones!!

[@ruma9687]

I hope he has gotten every possible recognition, star on walk of fame or whatever honors you americans give to your actors. Close is the time when any such gesture will be posthumous

[@delightonailende620]

Only one James Earl Jones. Only one Darth Vader. Only one Mufasa. No duplicates. No lookalikes. Accept no substitutes. RIP Sir.............

[@NaterBater]

Mufasa is this most iconic to my childhood. I could never hear him talk without hearing Mufasa

[@fay-amieaspen6046]

RIP Sir & Thank You 😢.

[@yell0wberry]

Rest in peace to one of the greatest actors of all time, James Earl Jones

[@matthewgaudet4064]

It is true James Earl Jones looped and recorded his dialog in one day. and Prowse was never told his voice was being replaced.

[@boxingpedia]

Rest in peace, legend 🙏🏾

[@AleCompton]

I’m so heartbreaking dude Rest in Peace James Earl Jones. 🕊️

[@Blazecap]

How sad he's now no longer with us.

[@michaeljenner2325]

He will be missed.

[@christinefarrow7020]

We were blessed we had him as long as we did. ❤​@@michaeljenner2325

[@Novin.S]

No. Sad is when someone dies young, not when they lived a fruitful life and die at 93.

[@Williestyle-RobotechxMacross-x]

James Earl Jones (r. i. p.) may his memory be a blessing

[@crlclssic]

what a voice, what a guy, what a legend!

[@CaptainFordo740]

RIP James earl jones, the force was strong with you

[@PsychoGallagher]

The bass my sound system generates when James is speaking vs when Conan says something ^^

[@bennylloyd-willner9667]

Conan is för testing the tweeters 😁

[@bapples]

Rest in peace Mr. Jones. A legend and a class act.

[@resofactor]

James' voice is like one of the most bad-ass voices in the history of humankind.

[@christopetkov4168]

what a gentle man - class act!

[@fredsalter1915]

Totally agree. JEJ is a legend. Loved his small part in Dr. Strangelove...

[@robertengland8769]

He will always be the voice of Vader as far as I'm concerned.

[@xGoodOldSmurfehx]

One of the greatest actors ever what a living legend this man, one of the few to still walk the earth with us This man played so many memorable roles its insane, not all of them on television either

[@miltonlentz8950]

One of my favorite roles of his was of author Terrance Mann in " Field of Dreams" with Kevin Costner. In the visitor's center at the movie site on the wall is a large bronze plaque with a picture of his character and his famous baseball speech.

[@vinnynj78]

"Well, you were kidnapping me, then, you big jerk." "But you lied to me." "You said your finger was a gun!"

[@bitburg40]

You can’t forget Burt Lancaster’s dialogue too. One of my all time favorite movies.

[@michaelkrolewski7406]

Also, Patriot Games. I thought, wow, Han & Vader, meet again!

[@vinnynj78]

@@bitburg40 "I best be getting home, or Alicia will think I got a girlfriend" "And then he smiled..." It makes you smile just listening to that whole conversation.

[@ryangraff102]

The SF Giants stadium has his speech on the wall too. Great performance.

[@Nines_Rodriguez]

R.I.P. Vader's voice. You honored Sith Empire appropriately. -Marka Ragnos' ghost

[@kellymulderino7156]

I loved him in Sneakers & Field Of Dreams too

[@FazerJr]

James Earl will always be Darth Vader in my ears 🤙🏼

[@thomashninan3825]

Mufasa

[@lfgubrs]

To quote Sheldon Cooper "I can listen to James Earl Jones stories all night"

[@leeturiano4419]

A class act and a true gentleman who deserves all the acclaim and success he's achieved. God bless, Sir, and thank you for voicing the most important character of my childhood.

[@brianrussell7369]

Someone probably pointed this out, but Conan got the line wrong. Vader did not say "Luke, I am your father". He said "No, I am your father".

[@allendracabal0819]

And Kirk never said, "Beam me up, Scotty", and nobody in Casablanca ever said, "Play it again, Sam". Such lines naturally become altered and simplified over time to make them more memorable and recognizable.

[@scottthesmartape9151]

The reason people think he says luke is because the audio popped in the street

[@Anne--Marie]

​@@allendracabal0819Indeed

[@65Stisse]

Also the character General Solomon in videogame Command&conquor... the voice I told my son as a 12-year old was Darth Vader, and after listening to General Solomon in the game he actually lifted his eyebrows when he connected the voice. =)

[@michaelkrolewski7406]

I even liked him as King Jaffe Joffer. Lol. in Coming to America.

[@disneyknightspadilla1406]

I wish they can do an interview between James, Earl Jones and Hayden Christensen .

[@allendracabal0819]

"James, Earl Jones": you have turned him into royalty.

[@mattshanley6755]

This man could fart out a better performance in 20 minutes than most actors today. RIP to a legend!

[@planetjagorz2379]

My childhood voice actor! Mufasa and Darth Vader! You will live on in the stars as a legend 😌

[@mattgilbert2382]

Such a loss of this amazing legend. I have loved every movie and show he has ever done. A real legend who lived a long and full life. R.I.P. James Earl Jones.

[@dekuuchiha9990]

He graduated from the Hig/Middle School I went to(33yrs old now). He donated money for us and I guess we were the first school to get laptops that you could take home. Really appreciated that and never forgot it.

[@MichiganGourmetguy]

5:16 When he says "Fathers" ;)

[@ZappPSR]

4:22 Only that he never said "Luke, I'm your father" but "No, I'm your father".

[@butchmcporksaw]

☝️🤓

[@baivulcho]

"Luke, I am your father" - the most famous quote that never was.

[@jonathans6087]

Mufasa will always be iconic. He was a father to us all in that movie.

[@tommyt1971]

Thulsa Doom himself!! “Steel is not strong, FLESH is STRONGER!”

[@01ASTRALICE]

RIP to this legend. He will missed and remembered as Darth Vader. 😢