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.

[@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!👊🏽

[@Jearbearjenkins]

@@Lethgar_Smithyeah george lucas is a bit of a douchebag.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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. :)

[@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

[@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

[@-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 🥴

[@tbecker97204]

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

[@melvis0803]

His voice is just like smooth silk!🥰

[@kurtdewittphoto]

His laugh is incredible.

[@shutup2751]

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

[@georgeallen7101]

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

[@GuilainMusic]

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

[@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.

[@mikevanroy9356]

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

[@robertengland8769]

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

[@Hunting380]

The drink motion he did KILLED me 🤣

[@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!...

[@JohnDoe-qu7gm]

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

[@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.

[@bruth6138]

Jame Earl Jones is such a legend.

[@FoxDergyCrest]

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

[@dnakatomiuk]

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

[@besterjack8243]

Was für ein unglaublich toller Schauspieler.

[@brianyule1289]

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

[@davidr9614]

Iconic voice and an unforgettable legend

[@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...

[@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.

[@mdrakic]

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

[@RSTI191]

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

[@FazerJr]

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

[@thomashninan3825]

Mufasa

[@donrobinson5662]

That man's voice will live forever!!

[@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.

[@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.

[@myanoel0]

i would love that

[@bxpress6507]

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

[@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.

[@duckhive]

love him in Field of Dreams

[@PsychoGallagher]

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

[@bennylloyd-willner9667]

Conan is för testing the tweeters 😁

[@RobinPortnoff]

The best voice ever.

[@lucybyrd1810]

I love his voice for over 35 years now.

[@ZappPSR]

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

[@obitouchi-ha7981]

It’s like Mufasa is in the room. 😮🔥

[@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

[@crlclssic]

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

[@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. =)

[@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.

[@eliasringquist]

One of the best voices ever around!

[@zarmindrow5831]

Impressive. Most impressive.

[@willrobinson3662]

Thank you for uploading this video. I love James Earl Jones very much.

[@MrTbraida23]

James Earl Jones made the entire Star Wars franchise. Without his voice of Darth Vader, it’s a ridiculous campy sci-fi movie. With his voice, we have perhaps the greatest villain in movie history. And eight sequels/prequels.

[@allendracabal0819]

It's not only the voice. The film score also substantially helped in that regard. Probably much more so.

[@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.

[@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

[@lfgubrs]

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

[@tommyt1971]

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

[@kellymulderino7156]

I loved him in Sneakers & Field Of Dreams too

[@ergonautilus]

Thanks for including the clip from his film!

[@MPPharaoh]

The most monumental and legendary voices in the movie business.

[@gevorkgk]

Much respect to this man. Phenomenal actor.

[@Zack29810]

this is so old that Conan was still awkward.

[@jonathanpedersen7654]

Conan still awkward lol this was super early tho ;)

[@frankjohnson123]

He always makes fun of how eager he was to please everyone around this time

[@Mrpublicimagelimited]

That mirthless, high-pitched, white-guy laugh had to go.. it absolutely drove me nuts and it nearly made Conan unwatchable for me. Still loved him though 😁

[@mediocreman2]

It's also James Earl Jones. Bet you'd be a bit more nervous than normal also.

[@Baatar1998]

Legendary

[@dlynn101]

I can't imagine Darth Vader stuttering!

[@user-bp8pd4rv2p]

General Solomon from Tiberian sun

[@AdyStark]

In this interview, it’s like Mufasa talking. Conan interviewed a Lion. And boy is James Earl Jones a Lion and a half. 🙏🏻❤️

[@scottrackley4457]

You know you could have a beer with JEJ and chill listening

[@KyloRen4238]

James Earl Jones Shows & Movie 1. Darth Vader - Star Wars Obi-Wan Kenobi, Episode 3 Revenge of the Sith, Rouge One: A Star Wars Story, Episode 4 A New Hope, Episode 5 The Empire Strikes Back, Episode 6 Return of the Jedi, Episode 9 The Rise of Skywalker 1977 - 1980 - 1983 - 2005 - 2019 - 2022 2. James Earl Jones - Two and a half Man 2008 3. Narrator, Maggie Simpson, Moving Man, Serak the Preparer - The Simpsons 1990 - 1998 Movies 4. Mufasa - The Lion King 1, 2 Simba's Pride 1994 - 1998 - 2019 5. Narrator of Michael's Past - Click 2006 6. Narrator - Scary Movie 4 2006 7. Darth Vader - The Benchwarmers 2006 8. Voice Box at Hardware Store - Robots 2005

[@RyanConnell5150]

5:50 I didn't know Dumbledore and Darth Vader had been in a movie together.

[@philstewart345]

James Earl Jones, Earl Hyman and James Avery all have been my favorite voice actors as a kid!😊

[@stephenmartin2737]

James is such a lovable giant of a man and that famous voice god i could listen to him all day he was at one time the voice of virgin cinemas back in the 1990,s here in the UK wonderful man god bless him!!!!

[@markallen3293]

Jame's son played on "Hunt for Red October," he played the acoustic tec on the sub.

[@oubrioko]

_Which_ sub? The *Dallas, Konovalov,* or *Red October?*

[@alphanerd7221]

@@oubrioko One of the Russian ones of course.

[@oubrioko]

@@alphanerd7221 Given that JEJ's only son was eight years old when the movie was released... kinda narrows it down to the midget Russian sonarman on the _Konovalov_

[@johngeiger3770]

I still cannot unsee James Earl Jones with long flowing jet black hair and Gothic armor ordering his minions to crucify Arnold at the 'Tree of Woe'.

[@staxmantim]

Pretty cool to see a clip from a movie that doesn’t rely on action or a laugh or a scare. Very still. Just watching two great actors. Also, loved that before everyone even took their seats, Jones made sure to thank Conan for having him & allowing him to promote the film, then later praising Richard Harris & the crew. Total class.

[@TonyDrecaps]

Good interview

[@TheStuport]

Two Legends of different Generations having a chat!

[@rianriggs7252]

every single word smooth as butter!!! ear-gasm

[@ceeezzzzzzz]

Love James 🐐 Conan was always my favorite late night host

[@Langfish25]

We used to do see and study cry, the beloved country in school. I loved this man. South african

[@samplicevida6329]

Big RESPECT all live🤝

[@JohnSmith-oe5kx]

Mr. Jones claims to have no sense of humour but has such a warm and easy laugh. I could swear that he is Irish ☘️

[@AdyStark]

That voice. 🙏🏻

[@ScottMcMaster-er4xj]

Best voice in movies. This interview reminds me how Conan was leagues above Jay Leno. He also showed immense class when he cared more about the survival of the Tonight Show as an institution of Television than his own career. Jay on the other hand would have torn the Tonight Show apart just to keep his position. The tale of Solomon comes to mind; the show should have been given to Conan, because he cared more for it and the audience..

[@3Kiwiana]

God I love his laugh, definitely my favourite voice.

[@Toucan_Sam3319]

I love his voice

[@saedrix9807]

God his voice is so pleasant to listen to- especially when he starts talking about his Irish heritage. I want him on call so he can tell me bedtime stories

[@user-kz3ik7pm7o]

I also love James Earl Jones as Moufassa in the lion King. He's great ❤

[@looneyflight]

The correct response to please say Luke I am your father is "No, I am your father."

[@andreryan4903]

Conan is a fan. So sweet.

[@marcdavis2745]

WONDERFUL BROADWAY ACTOR AND THAT VOICE

[@rickytoddbotelho9555]

Great job 👍

[@gruntsffs1]

Beautiful interview!!! Conan, you look like a little baby haha! Oh well, I’m older now too. Excellent though. I’d by so in awe sitting in front of James Earl Jones, I’d be the one stuttering 👊🏼🤣

[@andreshoe3772]

Conan marathon?

[@boogooglysilversmith8009]

Wow I had to watch that part again, I had no idea he has been working on his sense of humor. The episode where he met Sheldon Copper in BBT show, he seemed to be very humorous.

[@exoticsautoclub9329]

What a great guy he is!

[@nubenegra809]

damn! what a wonderful voice!!!

[@phanthomphanthom0123]

James hat einfach eine sooooooooooooooo tolle Stimme............unglaublich!!!!!.......

[@lothwolffe_]

A true legend.

[@eugenedavis6792]

I'm half Irish, Cherokee & Jamaican and Proud of it and drink for all 3.

[@sheboyganshovel5920]

*makes drinking motion* Yup. He's Irish.

[@TheChico868]

That fucking voice bro😮