Fans and Friends Reflect on James Earl Jones's Legacy
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THE ENTERTAINMENT WORLD lost a legend on September 9, 2024, when James Earl Jones died at the age of 93. An EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) winner, Jones was renowned for decades thanks to his stellar work on screen and on the stage, and, of course, for his powerful, booming voice and undeniable presence. Jones made his film debut in Stanley Kubrick's iconic Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, and kept a steady presence on screen and in the hearts of cinema fans for most of the following 60 years.
Despite his plethora of credits and appearances through the years, though, there were a handful of credits that Jones became best known for. Starting in 1977, he provided the voice of Darth Vader in George Lucas's Star Wars franchise, adding a vital gravitas to a villain who is unquestionably one of the greatest in film history. He also holds a place near and dear to the heart of all baseball fans for his unforgettable role alongside Kevin Costner in Field of Dreams and in The Sandlot, while comedy fans will always remember him as Eddie Murphy's royal father in Coming to America, and fans of animated films will never forget his touching performance as Mufasa in Disney's The Lion King.
As news of Jones's passing got around, reactions and tributes to one of the most iconic presences in film and on television of the last half century began pouring in, from fans, collaborators, and personal friends.
Kevin Costner gave a particularly touching tribute on his Instagram, nodding toward the two's time together on Field of Dreams. "That booming voice. That quiet strength. The kindness that he radiated," he wrote. "So much can be said about his legacy, so I’ll just say how thankful I am that part of it includes Field of Dreams."
The National Baseball Hall of Fame shared a picture of the script page containing Jones's famous Field of Dreams monologue, which lives in the museum in Cooperstown, NY.
James Earl Jones' generational voice will echo forever through Cooperstown.
His iconic monologue from Field of Dreams is preserved in the Hall of Fame collection. pic.twitter.com/1bXiuiI4cJ— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) September 9, 2024
The Star Wars family also paid tribute. "James was an incredible actor, a most unique voice both in art and spirit," George Lucas said in a statement release by Lucasfilm. "For nearly half a century he was Darth Vader, but the secret to it all is he was a beautiful human being."
Thank you for everything, James.
A statement from George Lucas and Lucasfilm: https://t.co/ieEdG0k5zY pic.twitter.com/8L99EeNwuU— Star Wars (@starwars) September 10, 2024
We have now lost the face (Sebastian Shaw), body (David Prowse), and voice (James Earl Jones) of Darth Vader 💔 pic.twitter.com/A56YiHMa3E
— Star Wars Holocron (@sw_holocron) September 10, 2024
Mark Hamill, who famously played Darth Vader's son, Luke Skywalker, chimed in with a simple "RIP Dad."
#RIP dad 💔 https://t.co/YXpFoBb2Ua
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) September 9, 2024
New York City's Empire State Building even lit up with imagery of the famed Sith lord.
May the Force be with you J. E. J. pic.twitter.com/gTYMpJizey
— Empire State Building (@EmpireStateBldg) September 10, 2024
Many remarked on his overall range.
RIP to the GOAT, James Earl Jones pic.twitter.com/OuzdNqudFJ
— Meredith Loftus (@MeredithLoftus) September 9, 2024
Rest in peace, James Earl Jones. One of the most powerful, evocative, emotional voices in cinema history. This is the first scene that came to mind, it’s one of my favorites of all time. pic.twitter.com/AcMSv0dttw
— joe bro (@jbromovies) September 9, 2024
Rest in peace, James Earl Jones. pic.twitter.com/u8zAI9V9GC
— Jeopardy! (@Jeopardy) September 9, 2024
It is also clear just how impactful and important Jones and his work were to other actors and filmmakers; notable names and talents like Colman Domingo, Wendell Pierce, Jeffrey Wright, Henry Winkler, Matthew Modine, LeVar Burton, and Barry Jenkins all shared their condolences.
Thank you dear James Earl Jones for everything. A master of our craft. We stand on your shoulders. Rest now. You gave us your best. pic.twitter.com/vD0V7y613w
— Colman Domingo (@colmandomingo) September 9, 2024
This man was the living embodiment of artistry, integrity, creativity, and dignity. James Earl Jones is the sole reason I became an actor. He stirred a vocation in me that gave voice to my unsung heart songs. By example, he led me on the exploration of my own personal humanity… pic.twitter.com/gze67IuVOI
— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) September 9, 2024
James Earl Jones. A master. RIP
— Jeffrey Wright 🥜 (@jfreewright) September 9, 2024
James Earl Jones was our good friend and set an example for how to live and work with power and grace. Rest well. We loved and love you
— Henry Winkler (@hwinkler4real) September 9, 2024
This is a photo I took. I've never shared it before. I had the honor of working with #JamesEarlJones on WHAT THE DEAF MAN HEARD. Rest in peace, James. #JamesEarlJonesRIP pic.twitter.com/mndSoGM4c3
— Matthew Modine (@MatthewModine) September 10, 2024
James Earl Jones… there will never be another of his particular combination of graces.
— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) September 9, 2024
Forever and always 🖤 pic.twitter.com/IZAWe5L22a
— Barry Jenkins (@BarryJenkins) September 9, 2024
While just about everyone has seen Jones's movies like the Star Wars series and Field of Dreams, others took the opportunity to champion some of his less-known work, like the underrated 1987 film Matewan.
a lot of people are telling you to watch Matewan today, and they're absolutely right. a masterpiece featuring one of my all-time favorite James Earl Jones performances pic.twitter.com/9OPR5aad4t
— priscilla page (@BBW_BFF) September 10, 2024
Perhaps the most fun thing to see go around, though, was to see people remembering the ways that Jones would appear here and there just having fun. That meant, occasionally, appearing on The Simpsons—where he famously narrated a rendition of Edgar Allen Poe's The Raven for a "Treehouse of Horror" episode—as well as popping in on Sesame Street, performing a rendition of the national anthem at an MLB game, and helping David Letterman deliver a "Top Ten" list during his Late Show talk show.
He was stellar in every role, but the one that’ll always stick with me was the narrator in The Simpsons’s “The Raven” Treehouse of Horror segment. It still sends shivers down my spine whenever I watch it. That voice was one in a billion… pic.twitter.com/gogbMYnhoj
— The Green Kasey 🎃 (@RawbertBeef) September 9, 2024
We remember and honor the incredible life of James Earl Jones. As the first celebrity guest to appear on Sesame Street, he forever shaped how we reach both children and their caregivers. His timeless contributions to education, entertainment, and the arts have left an indelible… pic.twitter.com/wnX04nXRYk
— Sesame Street (@sesamestreet) September 10, 2024
RIP James Earl Jones, the legendary actor who memorably appeared in the iconic baseball movies "Field of Dreams" and "The Sandlot"
Jones gave a moving recitation of our National Anthem at the 1993 MLB All-Star Game in Baltimore pic.twitter.com/1rFfxe5IFY— MLB (@MLB) September 9, 2024
As we all grieve the immense loss of actor James Earl Jones (Star Wars, The Lion King), I wanted to celebrate one his funnier milestones, reading Letterman’s best Top Ten List, reciting commercial jingles with his spectacular, powerful, booming voice. #RIPJamesEarlJones pic.twitter.com/7OCHlV7hrv
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) September 9, 2024
Jones may be gone, but it's clear that his impact was felt for a long, long time—and will continue to be felt long into the future as well.
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