Actors, directors, and arts organizations remembered James Earl Jones after he died on September 9, 2024, at age 93. Their tributes returned to two sides of his legacy: an unmistakable artistic presence, including the voice of Darth Vader, and the warmth colleagues said they knew off screen.
What Mark Hamill and other Star Wars colleagues said
Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker opposite Jones’ Darth Vader, posted “#RIP dad” with a broken-heart emoji, CBS News and ABC News reported. The brief message recalled the characters’ father-and-son relationship in the Star Wars story.
Star Wars creator George Lucas called Jones “an incredible actor, a most unique voice both in art and spirit.” Lucas also remembered him as “a beautiful human being” and praised the depth he brought to roles. Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy described Jones as one of the most versatile and talented actors of his time, with work across film, stage, and television. She recognized the menace of his Vader voice as well as his warmth away from the camera. Lucasfilm’s September 9 memorial carried their tributes.
What costars and fellow actors remembered
Kevin Costner on Field of Dreams
Kevin Costner, Jones’ costar in Field of Dreams, focused on how singular Jones was in the role. In an Instagram tribute reported by ABC News, Costner wrote: “If you’ve seen it, you know that this movie wouldn’t be the same with anyone else in his role. Only he could bring that kind of magic to a movie about baseball and a corn field in Iowa.” He closed: “Rest in peace, friend.”
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LeVar Burton on Jones’ singularity
Actor LeVar Burton captured the sense that Jones could not be replaced: “There will never be another of his particular combination of graces,” CBS News and ABC News attributed to him.
Rob Minkoff and Colman Domingo
Rob Minkoff, director of the 1994 animated film The Lion King, praised Jones’ performance as Mufasa. “His portrayal of Mufasa was perfection. What a powerful man and actor. Gone but will never be forgotten. Rest in power,” Minkoff wrote in an Instagram tribute reported by ABC News.
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Actor Colman Domingo’s message was an expression of gratitude: “Rest. Thank you for everything. Everything. Everything,” he wrote, followed by, “We all looked to you. Thank you King James Earl Jones. Rest well.” ABC News reported the tribute.
How theater and arts organizations honored Jones
Jones’ legacy extended far beyond his screen roles. The Broadway League recorded his Broadway debut as an understudy in 1957, his Tony Award-winning performances in The Great White Hope and Fences, and his 2015 Broadway appearance in The Gin Game with Cicely Tyson. He received the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2017. As a memorial, Broadway theaters dimmed their lights at 6:45 p.m. on September 26, 2024, following the League’s announcement. The Broadway League’s notice detailed the tribute and his Broadway career.
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The National Endowment for the Arts remembered Jones’ work on stage and his service to the arts. Its account notes that he and Jane Alexander starred in The Great White Hope; Jones won two Tony Awards and two Emmy Awards, a Grammy, and an honorary Academy Award, and received the National Medal of Arts in 1992. He served on the National Council on the Arts from 1970 to 1976. The NEA also said Shakespeare in American Communities educational materials featuring Jones, including audio CDs and films, reached more than 24 million students. The NEA’s September 10, 2024 memorial described that educational work.
SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland called Jones a “unique talent” who was “thoughtful, profound, and unwavering in his convictions.” He praised the dedication and integrity evident in Jones’ acting. The union’s remembrance also noted Jones’ U.S. Army service and philanthropic work, including his support for literacy. SAG-AFTRA’s September 9 statement honored his career and service.
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A legacy larger than one iconic voice
Many tributes invoked Darth Vader or Mufasa, but the remembrances also pointed to a career spanning theater, film, television, and voice work—and to the kindness and personal warmth colleagues associated with Jones. He died at 93 on September 9, 2024; Lucasfilm, SAG-AFTRA, and CBS News reported his death. CBS reported that his representative confirmed it. ABC News reported that he died at home in Dutchess County, New York, surrounded by family.
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