Inside James Earl Jones’ Unique Hudson Home—as Actor Who Voiced Darth Vader and Mufasa Dies at 93

James Earl Jones was a bona fide Hollywood legend, having lent his talents to an array of iconic movies, including the “Star Wars” franchise and “The Lion King.” But the late on-screen star found his true home thousands of miles away from the bright lights of Los Angeles—in the quaint Hudson, NY, village of Pawling.

Jones, who died on Sept. 9 at the age of 93, built quite the property empire in Dutchess County over the years. Property records indicate that he owned 10 neighboring properties at the time of his passing.

Those properties include both homes and plots of land, although it is unclear whether Jones had built any additional houses on the acreage during his ownership.

According to reports, Jones—who famously voiced “Star Wars” supervillain Darth Vader as well as “The Lion King” character Mufasa—died at his upstate New York home. The cause of death has not yet been released.

Jones, who was born in Arkabutla, MS, moved to Dutchess County in 1970 after falling in love with the area during a road trip with a friend, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal. The actor is understood to have journeyed to the neighborhood to help his pal look for a new home. However, it was Jones who ended up securing the land.

“I liked it,” the actor told the Journal in 2012. “Big trees … they were big enough to hug.”

In the years since, Jones is understood to have become incredibly involved in the local area, which is also where he raised his son, Flynn, whom he welcomed with his second wife, Cecilia Hart. Hart died of ovarian cancer in 2016.

According to the Journal, Jones was involved in fundraising for his son’s alma mater, the Poughkeepsie Day School, and helping out with amateur theater events, including a young playwrights’ festival.

The small town of Pawling is a world away from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, where Jones enjoyed staggering success during his decades-long career. Pawling offers stunning natural landscapes, plenty of hiking trails, and an impressive history.

There are also multiple lakes, America’s “oldest municipality-owned golf course,” and a stunning nature conservancy.

Realtor.com® records indicate that Jones purchased his 10 homes slowly over the years. One was listed as being purchased for $320,000 in 2000, while another was noted as having been bought for the relatively low price of $16,500 in 1993.

A third home, which boasts three bedrooms and two bathrooms, was last sold in 1994 for $177,500. That same year, Jones appears to have purchased a second home, this one with two bedrooms and one bathroom, for $108,000.

During his time living in the area, Jones achieved several incredible Hollywood feats. In 1970, the same year he moved to Pawling, he was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in “The Great White Hope.”

Although he lost out on the Best Actor title that year, he was presented with a lifetime achievement award at the Oscars in 2011, a win that earned him the illustrious EGOT title, given to those few stars who have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony.