Entertainment
James Earl Jones, voice of Mufasa in ‘Lion King,’ dies at 93
James Earl Jones, a versatile and award-winning American stage and screen actor who used his booming deep voice to bring the iconic “Star Wars” villain Darth Vader to life, has died, his representatives said Monday. He was 93 years old.
From the works of Shakespeare and August Wilson, to his indelible voiceovers in the blockbuster space saga and as Mufasa in the Disney classic “The Lion King,” Jones earned fans with his ability to play both the everyman and the other He won three Tony awards including a lifetime award, two Emmys and a Grammy, as well as an honorary Oscar, also for lifetime achievement.
In 1971, he became only the second Black man nominated for an Academy Award for best actor, after Sidney Poitier.
All of these accolades were hard-won, as Jones, who was born in segregated Mississippi on January 17, 1931, had to overcome a childhood stutter that often led him to barely speak at all.
“Stuttering is painful. In Sunday school, I’d try to read my lessons and the children behind me were falling on the floor with laughter,” Jones told the Daily Mail in 2010.
Reciting his own poetry, at the prodding of an English teacher, helped him to gain control of his voice, which would later be used to strike fear among millions in “Star Wars” as Darth Vader.
Jones did not physically portray the character — David Prowse wore Vader’s black cape and imposing face mask, while Jones offered the voice, oozing the evil power of the Dark Side.
“I am your father,” Vader tells Luke Skywalker, portrayed by Mark Hamill, in a pivotal fight scene in “The Empire Strikes Back” — a twist etched in cinema history.
“He created, with very little dialogue, one of the greatest villains that ever lived,” “Star Wars” creator George Lucas said in 2015 at a ceremony honoring Jones in New York.
▪︎AFP
Entertainment
Rema to release new single ‘Oh No’ Friday
`Oh No’ adds to Rema’s growing catalogue of Afrobeats and Afrofusion sounds, following his recent musical exploits.
Afrobeats star Rema is set to release his new single, ‘Oh No’, on Friday.
The singer announced it in a post on his X account, sharing a video of himself seated in a car and simply writing, “Oh No out this Friday.”‘
‘Oh No’ adds to Rema’s growing catalogue of Afrobeats and Afrofusion sounds, following his recent musical exploits.
The Mavin Records star, who continues to gain international recognition, is known for hit songs including ‘Calm Down’, his global collaboration with Selena Gomez, and tracks from his 2024 album, HEIS.
Entertainment
Ikenga becomes highest-grossing Igbo film of all time
The film was directed by Darlington Kelechi and features Pete Edochie, Nkem Owoh, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Patience Ozokwo, Zubby Michael, Beverly Osu, Jide Kene Achufusi, Regina Daniels and Destiny Etiko.
Ikenga: The Last Festival has crossed the N75 million mark at the Nigerian box office and is now the highest-grossing Igbo title of all time.
The film was directed by Darlington Kelechi and features Pete Edochie, Nkem Owoh, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Patience Ozokwo, Zubby Michael, Beverly Osu, Jide Kene Achufusi, Regina Daniels and Destiny Etiko.
FilmOne Entertainment, announced the milestone on Monday in a post on X, revealing that the film has also maintained its position as the highest-grossing Nollywood film for three consecutive weeks.
The latest milestone marks another major step in the film’s cinema run, which has seen it maintain strong audience interest since opening nationwide in August.
FilmOne said the film’s performance reflects the strong response it has received from moviegoers since its release.
The distributor also thanked audiences who have supported the film, crediting moviegoers for helping drive its performance at the box office.
Entertainment
Nollywood actress Atinuke Kareem dies of breast cancer
In the release signed by the state Public Relations Officer, Femi Solaja, on behalf of Ajasa, the association expressed deep appreciation to colleagues, fans, and well-wishers who provided financial and moral support during the actress’s medical battle.
Image credit : WhatsApp
The Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) Ogun State Chapter, has announced the death of Nollywood actress Atinuke Kareem.
She died as a result of breast cancer.
The news of her passing was officially announced on Tuesday by her colleague and the Executive Governor of TAMPAN Ogun State, Owolabi Ajasa, via an official statement posted on his Instagram page.
The statement was accompanied by a video clip of Kareem seeking support and prayers during her battle with breast cancer, highlighting the physical toll of the illness on her.
“I’m a breast cancer patient. It has been going on for a while. My family has spent a lot of money; I’ve come to seek help. The association I belong to, TAMPAN, has tried too, but it’s not enough,” Kareem said in the video.
” Don’t allow me to die this way; I have two young children. Nigerians, please help me with any amount you can use to help.”
In the release signed by the state Public Relations Officer, Femi Solaja, on behalf of Ajasa, the association expressed deep appreciation to colleagues, fans, and well-wishers who provided financial and moral support during the actress’s medical battle.
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