Tributes For James Earl Jones, Iconic Voice of ‘Darth Vader’

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James Earl Jones in 1989’s Field of Dreams

When news of the passing of the distinguished actor James Earl Jones at age 93 on September 9, 2024, arrived, tributes poured in from Hollywood to honor the legend. While Jones’ career on the screen was notable enough for roles in such films as Field of Dreams, The Great White Hope, Conan the Barbarian and dozens of others, he is perhaps best known as the voice of Darth Vader in the acclaimed Star Wars series, first in the original trilogy, and later when George Lucas revisited the films for its many prequels.

Of note was Vader’s shocking revelation to Skywalker in 1980’s Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.

It’s thus difficult to imagine a more touching tribute than the one offered by Mark Hamill, who portrayed Luke Skywalker in Star Wars. He wrote, simply:

Lucas also issued a statement. “James was an incredible actor, a most unique voice both in art and spirit,” he wrote. “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.”

Jones was also cast as the voice of Mufasa in Disney’s 1994 blockbuster The Lion King. When Major League Baseball chose him to participate at the 1993 All Star Game, Jones brilliantly recited the lyrics of the Star Spangled Banner.

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

Jones was one of the talented members of the so-called “EGOT” club, receiving coveted Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Awards. (His Academy Award was honorarily bestowed upon him by the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2011.)

Rest in Peace Lord Vader pic.twitter.com/HsFn5bkQC0

— Empire State Building (@EmpireStateBldg) September 9, 2024

From Field of Dreams: “The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball.” What a speech.

Denzel Washington told Variety, “He’s my hero. 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.”

The publication noted that the actors never worked together.