Hollywood Remembers James Earl Jones: “There Will Never Be Another Combination Of His Graces”

Denise Petski
·5 min read
8

Refresh for updates…Tributes are pouring in following the news of the death of distinguished actor James Earl Jones. Widely regarded as one the world’s great stage and screen actors, Jones passed away this morning at his home in Dutchess County, NY at the age of 93.

Jones, among the few entertainers to attain EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) status, is also well known as the voice of Star Wars villain Darth Vader and The Lion King’s Mufasa.

More from Deadline

He made his big-screen debut in Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) but burst into the national spotlight as America’s first Black heavyweight champion in The Great White Hope, for which he received an Oscar nomination.

RELATED: Remembering James Earl Jones: A Life & Career In Photos

Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker, son of Jones’ Darth Vader in Star Wars, remembered Jones, writing on X, “#RIP dad.” He later posted a photo with Jones on Instagram, calling him “One of the world’s finest actors whose contributions to Star Wars were immeasurable.”

In a statement, Star Wars creator Lucas remembered Jones as “an incredible actor, a most unique voice both in art and spirit,” noting that he “will be missed by so many of us…friends and fans alike.”

“For nearly half a century he was Darth Vader, but the secret to it all is he was a beautiful human being,” Lucas said. “He gave depth, sincerity and meaning to all his roles, amongst the most important being devoted husband to the late Ceci and dad to Flynn.”

LeVar Burton also was among the first to pay tribute to Jones. “James Earl Jones…there will never be another of his particular combinations of graces.”

Colman Domingo remerbered Jones on X, writing “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.”

“Rest in peace, friend,” Jones’ Field Of Dreams co-star Kevin Costner wrote on IG.

Garcelle Beauvais penned a tribute to Jones on Instagram. “Words cannot express how sad this makes me! thank you for gracing us with your talent and your spirit! It was a pleasure to work and know you #jamesearljones ???? ??restinpower”, she wrote.

Crystal Minkoff, wife of The Lion King co-director Rob Minkoff, wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of Jones holding a statue of Mufasa: “Rest in Power, Mr. Jones. You made a young animator’s dream come true when you accepted the role of Mufasa. Thank you for all you have done for Rob. Your memory will live on. ??

Director Paul Feig remembered Jones on X, writing: “James Earl Jones will never die. His talent, work and influence will be with us always. RIP, Mr. Jones.”

Dorian Harewood, who portrayed Jones’ father Simon Haley in the miniseries Roots: The Next Generations, said it was a “supreme honor and privilege” to work with the iconic actor.

SAG-AFTRA released a statement, describing Jones as a “unique talent and thoughtful, profound, and unwavering in his convictions. His body of work speaks volumes about his dedication, not only to the craft of acting but to the integrity and depth he brought to every role,” said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. “In 2008, our union proudly honored him with the Life Achievement Award — an acknowledgment of his towering contributions both on-screen and behind the scenes. His immense talent, boundless wisdom, and unmistakable voice will be deeply missed.”

Jones also lent his sonorous voice to the famous “This is CNN” promo campaign for the cable news network. “We are deeply saddened to hear of James’s passing,” the network said in a statement. “He was the voice of CNN and our brand for many decades, uniquely conveying through speech instant authority, grace, and decorum. That remarkable voice is just one of many things the world will miss about James. Our thoughts are with his family.”

Denzel Washington paid tribute to Jones, telling Variety, “He’s my hero”, continuing, “My college theater career started because of ‘The Emperor Jones’ and ‘Othello’ with James Earl Jones. I wasn’t going to be as big as him. I wanted to sound like him. He was everything to me as a budding actor. He was who I wanted to be.”

We’ll be updating with more as they come in.

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next