James Earl Jones Remembered by the Broadway Community: 'The Greatest of the Greats' (Exclusive)

"His monumental talent was equal to his humanity and his humility," Tony winner John Larroquette tells PEOPLE

James Earl Jones made an irrevocable impact on the theater industry. And in the wake of his death, members of the Broadway community are sharing their memories with PEOPLE.

The actor — who died at his home in Dutchess County, New York on Monday, Sept. 9 at the age of 93 — began his nearly seven-decade career on stage, playing Othello at the Ramsdell Theatre in Manistee, Michigan back in 1957.

Later that year, in October, Jones made his Broadway debut as understudy to Lloyd Richards in Molly Kazan's The Egghead. The roles kept coming from there, with Jones picking up 20 additional Broadway credits and three Tony Awards, including two competitive wins for best actor (for 1969's The Great White Hope and 1987's Fences).

He was also a staple at the Public Theater's evolving Shakespeare in the Park program throughout the '60s and early '70s, playing Othello and King Lear and appearing in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Richard III, Romeo and Juliet, The Merchant of Venice, Coriolanus, Hamlet, The Winter's Tale, Troilus and Cressida, Macbeth and Henry V.

His last role was in the 2015 revival of The Gin Game, oppopsite the late Cicely Tyson.

Related: How James Earl Jones 'Paved the Way' on Stage, as Told by the Actor's Contemporary from the '60s (Exclusive)

A year before that, Jones starred in the revival of George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart'sYou Can't Take It With You. Among the many in the ensemble cast was Annaleigh Ashford, who remembers Jones as "one of the greatest of the greats."

"He led an example that we should all aspire to be as artists and humans," the actress, who won a Tony Award for her performance in the play, tells PEOPLE. "James Earl showed up to rehearsal off book, he was the first person in the theatre and the last to leave, always working to make tomorrow’s performance even greater than today’s, and he made the person in the play with the least lines feel just as important and loved as the person with the most lines."

"We are so lucky that he graced the stage and screen to teach us through his art and his heart," she says. "Oh how I will miss that smile, those eyes, and that voice. His soul lives on through the magic of the characters he blessed us with."

Related: How Miss. Native James Earl Jones Fell in Love with Tiny N.Y. Town, Where He Had a Home for 50 Years and Died

Another standout performance by Jones came in the 2012 revival of Gore Vidal's The Best Man, which he starred in alongside Tony winner John Larroquette five-time Emmy winner Candice Bergen and Tony nominee Kerry Butler.

"I had the honor of sharing a Broadway stage with Mr. James Earl Jones for 9 months," Larroquette, 76, tells PEOPLE. "Every night with him was a blessing to my life. His monumental talent was equal to his humanity and his humility. My sincere and heartfelt condolences to his family and to all who loved him. Which I feel safe in saying was every one of us."

Bergan, 78, tells PEOPLE that Jones was "an innately elegant, graceful and gifted man."

"It was an honor to work with him," she says.

Related: How James Earl Jones Worked Through a Stutter and Several 'Mute Years' Thanks to a Wise Teacher

Butler, 53, called working with Jones "a highlight of my life."

"He was incredible to work with. Constantly trying to get deeper into the character," she tells PEOPLE. "The work was never done. Our scenes were always different. He really kept you on your toes."

"But more than that, he was kind, down to earth and so funny!" Butler says, sharing a sweet story about the legendary actor. "On Easter, I was throwing an Easter Egg hunt in the theatre! I asked him to dress up as the Easter Bunny. So he wore bunny ears and a little tail and shouted in his deep voice ’Let the hunt begin!’ He was up for anything. He brought so much light to everyone backstage, and to everyone in the audience."

Other memories of Jones shared with PEOPLE from he former on-stage costars included a message from Terrence Howard, Jones' costars in the 2008 revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

"It is with deep sadness that I acknowledge the passing of my beloved mentor, James Earl Jones," writes Howard, in a statement to PEOPLE. "He was not only my stage father in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, but a father figure to countless individuals through the profound roles he portrayed over the span of his life."

"James touched so many hearts with his extraordinary talent, his powerful presence, and his unforgettable voice,' Howard continues. "Although he is no longer with us physically, his spirit remains eternal, immortalized through the rich legacy of performances that continue to inspire and move us."

Say Howard: "One of the most beautiful aspects of being an Actor is that we can revisit and reminisce through the timeless art we leave behind. James gave the world a gift, and we will forever feel his presence when we hear his voice and see his work. His grace, wisdom, and generosity of spirit will live on in all. I had the honor to know him, work with him, and be loved by him and love him."

"Rest in peace, James," Howard adds. "You will always be here with all of us."

Anika Noni Rose, who was also in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with Jones, also shared a statement with media outlets obtained by PEOPLE.

"Mr Jones, How you loved what we do," the Tony winner, 52, writes. "You came to the theater hours early to pour over your script every day. This legend, who never stopped working and learning. And you always welcomed me coming in to chat with you and sit in your light."

"I remember marveling over the fact that you found some new, fun thing every day we stepped on stage," she says. "You were never tired of this craft. ... You gave so much. Your hugs. Your laugh! I remember the scene in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof where I was looking up at you from the floor, and feeling such a palpable energy radiating from you and through us."

She concludes: "What a gift it was to be there on that stage, creating, living, loving with you. You were and are a titan. You will always be my Big Daddy. I am so grateful to have loved, and been loved by you. I will miss you. Thank you for shaping our world."

Related: Remembering James Earl Jones' Life in Photos, from Star Wars to The Lion King

A final memory of Jones came from Tony winner Courtney B. Vance, who worked with the actor in August Wilson's Fences.

“James Earl Jones was an extraordinary actor, father, husband, and man," Vance, 64, says. "He lived his life unapologetically and gave his whole heart to us all. We had the opportunity to witness a master at work on the stage and in film."

"But in private, I was honored to get to know ‘Jimmy’ as a kind, funny, loving, charismatic human being. My gift to him was that whenever I was in New York City, I made time to visit and sit with him," Vance says. "I was planning to see him in a couple of weeks on my next trip to the city, but God had other plans for Jimmy. And now, he’s soaring amongst the angels for eternity."

"I will always love him for the gift that he was to me and my family," Vance writes. "Rest in peace, gentle giant.”

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The Broadway community is likely to pay tribute to Jones in the future coming weeks, with the traditional dimming of the marquee lights.

In 2022, the actor had a Broadway theater named after him, becoming the second Black theatrical personality (after Wilson) to have that honor.

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