Mark Hamill & More Pay Tribute To James Earl Jones: "One Of The World's Finest Actors"
Notable figures across Hollywood pay tribute to James Earl Jones. The legendary actor who was best known for voicing Darth Vader and Mufasa passed away on September 9 at the age of 93. Jones, who was an EGOT winner, had a career that spanned over six decades. In addition to his roles in Star Wars and The Lion King, Jones’ biggest movies include Field of Dreams, Coming to America and its 2021 sequel, and The Great White Hope, for which he received an Oscar nomination.
Following the news of Jones’ passing, many people within the entertainment industry shared tributes online, highlighting the actor’s immense contribution to the stage and screen. You can see a sampling below:
Mark Hamill, who played Darth Vader’s son Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars movies, called Jones “One of the world’s finest actors whose contributions to Star Wars were immeasurable.” He also fondly referred to Jones as “Dad.”
The Peter Mayhew Foundation, formed in honor of the late Chewbacca actor, sent their “most heart felt sympathy to his family.”
LeVar Burton declared that “there will never be another of his particular combination of graces.” Burton famously starred in the 1977 miniseries Roots, while Jones appeared in its 1979 sequel show.
Kevin Costner, who starred opposite Jones in Field of Dreams, honored the late actor’s performance in the 1989 movie, writing, “If you’ve seen it, you know that this movie wouldn’t be the same with anyone else in his role.”
Barry Jenkins, the director of the upcoming prequel movie Mufasa: The Lion King, simply posted a photo of a younger Jones and wrote, “Forever and always.”
Henry Winkler said, simply, “James Earl Jones was our good friend and set an example for how to live and work with power and grace.” He also affirmed the love everyone has for Jones.
Colman Domingo thanked Jones for his work and added, “We stand on your shoulders. Rest now. You gave us your best.”
Fellow Star Wars actor Billy Dee Williams, who played Lando Calrissian in the original trilogy, shared a photo of himself and Jones, and wrote a poignant tribute to the star. “He brought power, wisdom, and soul to every role, but more than that, he was a kind, humble soul who inspired everyone around him,” Williams said. The two also worked together on The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings.
Jeffrey Wright’s tribute was succinct, with the actor simply writing, “James Earl Jones. A master. RIP.”
Octavia Spencer posted her respects as well, writing in part, “Legendary doesn’t even begin to describe his iconic roles and impact on cinema forever.”
The official Star Wars Instagram account shared a statement from George Lucas that reads:
James was an incredible actor, a most unique voice both in art and spirit.
For nearly half a century he was Darth Vader, but the secret to it all is he was a beautiful human being. He gave depth, sincerity and meaning to all his roles, amongst the most important being a devoted husband to the late Ceci and dad to Flynn.
James will be missed by so many of us…friends and fans alike.
The Empire State Building in New York City offered condolences as well, sharing a picture of the famous building lit up in black and red in honor of Jones’ Darth Vader.
Matthew Modine, who worked with Jones on What the Deaf Man Heard, shared a beautiful picture of Jones for the very first time.
James Earl Jones’ Work Touched Countless Viewers
The Many Tributes Prove Jones’ Enduring Impact
The above tributes don’t even cover the reactions shared by Jones’ fans. The outpouring of love for the late actor has been widespread and powerful, with many honoring Jones’ most iconic roles. Whether it is The Lion King‘s regal Mufasa or The Great White Hope‘s victorious boxer Jack Jefferson, Jones’ work spans all kinds of characters, and each performance resonated deeply with viewers.
Even those who never worked with him have acknowledged the impact he will likely always have.
This is undoubtedly especially true when it comes to his vocal performance as Darth Vader, which continues to be the gold standard for the Star Wars franchise. The black-cloaked Sith Lord is Jones’ most popular character, yet in reality, he only represented a small portion of the incredible work the actor did. Jones received an honorary Academy Award in 2011, which finally cemented his EGOT status.
As is clear from the overwhelming amount of tributes coming in from across the entertainment industry, Jones‘ work touched and inspired many people. Even those who never worked with him have acknowledged the impact he will likely always have. His performances will live on forever, as Jones proved himself to be a once-in-a-lifetime legend.
Source: Various (see above)
