Barry Jenkins, Mark Hamill, and More Remember James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones passed away on Monday, and it did not take long for his cinematic legacy to be celebrated by Hollywood stars and collaborators.

Jones died at 93, as Deadline first reported and IndieWire confirmed. The iconic EGOT-winning star soon memorialized online by Barry Jenkins, Mark Hamill, and more.

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Jones famously voiced Darth Vader in “Star Wars,” and also lent his signature rasp to Mufasa for “The Lion King.” He received an Honorary Academy Award in 2011, which led to his EGOT status being cemented. Jones’ illustrious film career includes roles in “Conan the Barbarian,” “Field of Dreams,” “Coming to America,” and “The Hunt for Red October.”

Jones’ film debut was in Stanley Kubrick’s “Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb” in 1964 before leading “The Great White Hope,” for which he received an Oscar nomination.

Jones’ final onscreen role was in 2021, when he reprised his turn as King Jaffe Joffer for “Coming 2 America.” He later announced his voice-acting retirement in 2022, after being credited with voicing Darth Vader in Disney+ series “Obi-Wan Kenobi.”

Jones’ “Star Wars” family honored him after his passing, with franchise creator George Lucas and current boss Kathleen Kennedy both issuing statements praising his legacy.

“James was an incredible actor, a most unique voice both in art and spirit,” Lucas said. “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.”

“James Earl Jones is one of the most versatile and talented actors of our time, with an iconic body of work across film, stage and television,” Kennedy added. “The menacing baritone he brought to Darth Vader will forever be beloved by fans and regarded as one of the great villainous performances in cinema. His commanding presence on screen, and warm personality off screen, will be greatly missed.”

Jones’ “Star Wars” co-star Mark Hamill tweeted in honor of his passing, and referenced their onscreen dynamic as father and son.

“RIP dad,” Hamill wrote.

Barry Jenkins, who recently helmed a Disney “Lion King” spin-off installment, wrote, “Forever and always” to honor Jones.

Colman Domingo credited Jones for being a “master of our craft” of both stage and screen.

“We stand on your shoulders,” Domingo captioned. “You gave us your best.”

Directors Paul Feig and Mike Flanagan both took to social media as well.

Feig commented, “James Earl Jones will never die. His talent, work and influence will be with us always. RIP, Mr. Jones.”

Flanagan also wrote, “James Earl Jones… a true icon in every sense. May he rest in peace.”

LeVar Burton added, “James Earl Jones… there will never be another of his particular combination of graces.”

Check out more tributes below and read IndieWire’s obituary for Jones here.

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