Actor: James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones was functionally mute through much of his childhood due to a severe stutter, and worked with a teacher who used poetry to help him speak. The voice that resulted is among the most recognisable in the world.

He voiced Darth Vader without credit on the original Star Wars release, at his own request, considering it special effects work instead of acting.

Mufasa in The Lion King is the other performance everyone knows, and the two roles bracket a career of substantial stage work including a Tony for The Great White Hope.

He was nominated for Best Actor for the film version, and worked into his nineties.