The R.I.P. Thread — Page 3

Broadway veteran Robert Earl Jones has died at the age of 96. The actor, whose son James Earl Jones found fame voicing Darth Vader in the Star Wars movies, passed away at the Lillian Booth Actors' Home in New Jersey earlier this month. Jones starred as boxing champion Joe Louis in Spirit Of Youth among other films and Broadway productions. However, his career was briefly interrupted in the 1950s when he was blacklisted for refusing to testify before the House Of Un-American Activities Committee. He later had roles in Odds Against Tomorrow, Wild River, The Sting and Witness, as well as a string of stage parts alongside his son. He is survived by James Earl Jones, another son Matthew Earl Jones and a grandson.

Cleopatra Jones actress Tamara Dobson died in Baltimore, Maryland, on Monday. She was 59. According to Dobson's brother, she died from complications arising from multiple sclerosis and pneumonia. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis six years ago. Dobson found success as a professional model in the early 1970s before making her movie debut in 1972's Fuzz. But she will always be best remembered for her role as Cleopatra Jones in the 1973 movie. The character was the inspiration behind Beyonce Knowles turn as Foxxy Cleopatra in 2002's Austin Powers In Goldmember.