Hollywood is reacting to the death of James Earl Jones, the prolific EGOT-winning stage and screen actor who received recognition from every major award ceremony in the industry during his lifetime.
Jones, who died at 93 while "surrounded by his loved ones" Monday, was remembered by friends and admirers including "Star Wars" co-star Mark Hamill and franchise creator George Lucas.
Hamill, known for playing Luke Skywalker, shared a simple message shortly after news of Jones' death broke. "#RIP dad 💔," he shared on X, formerly Twitter. One of Jones' most iconic lines, delivered in his unmistakable baritone voice, was Darth Vader proclaiming he was Luke's father in "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back."
Hamill elaborated in an Instagram post: "One of the world’s finest actors whose contributions to Star Wars were immeasurable. He’ll be greatly missed.."
In a statement to USA TODAY, Lucas remembered Jones as "an incredible actor, a most unique voice both in art and spirit."
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"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 devoted husband to the late Ceci and dad to Flynn," he said. "James will be missed by so many of us...friends and fans alike."
James Earl Jones obituary:Acclaimed 'Field of Dreams' actor and voice of Darth Vader dies at 93
Besides Darth Vader, some of Jones' more memorable film roles included Mufasa in the 1994 animated Disney classic "The Lion King," 1998 sequel "The Lion King II: Simba's Pride" and its 2019 Jon Favreau remake; Terence Mann in the 1989 baseball drama "Field of Dreams" and Mr. Mertle in "The Sandlot."
Jones' final role saw him reprising his role of King Jaffe Joffer in the 2021 sequel "Coming 2 America."
Colman Domingo expressed his gratitude for Jones' nearly 60-year acting career on Instagram, writing: "Rest. Thank you for everything. Everything. Everything. We all looked to you. Thank you King James Earl Jones. Rest well."
Da'Vine Joy Randolph also opened up about how Jones impacted her career as an Oscar-winning actor.
"You were my first introduction into this industry," she wrote in an Instagram Story. "You saw me and took me under your wing – always checking up on me. That meant more than you know. May they never forget your poise, power, and (irrefutable) gifts. What a legacy you paved. Rest King 👑"
Sheryl Lee Ralph recalled that Jones' Tony-winning Broadway performance inspired her to become an actor.
"I took a school trip to see James Earl Jones on Broadway in The Great White Hope and I was mesmerized by his performance. I wanted to be up on that stage," she wrote on Instagram. "Imagine how I felt a few years later when I ended up working with Sidney Poitier and James Earl Jones in my first film, A Piece of the Action. What an artist!"
LeVar Burton remembered Jones for his good nature, writing in an X post: "James Earl Jones… there will never be another of his particular combination of graces."
Josh Gad paid tribute to Jones as a voice that defined his childhood.
"Shattered. There are icons and then there is this man. How do you remember someone who gave us some of the greatest stage and screen performances of all time?" Gad wrote in an Instagram caption. "For so many of us, you defined our childhoods from Star Wars to Lion King, from Field of Dreams to The Sandlot, from Coming to America to Dr. Strangelove.
"Thank you James for giving your life to art and filling our lifetimes with some of the best performances of any resume ever. It was an honor to know you and and an even bigger honor to get perform in a theater with your namesake. 💔"
Tyler Perry remembered Jones as "a legend and a king," writing in an Instagram post: "Thank you for your example and your booming voice that led the way for me and many others. You will be missed my friend. Blessings to your family."
Viola Davis praised Jones as "the gold standard" of performers, writing in an Instagram caption, "What. A. Life!!!! A life of electrifying EXCELLENCE!! You were the gold standard….the gravitas, the guts, sweat, strength, and vulnerability.
"Every character was towering and heroic. You were anointed. Honored to have met you sir. Honored you graced this life and left this gift of artistry. Rest with the giants….May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. 🕊️❤️🙏🏿"
Octavia Spencer, Kyra Sedgwick and Danielle Brooks noted that Jones' legacy will live on in his iconic voice work.
Spencer shared on Instagram, "Legendary doesn't even begin to describe his iconic roles and impact on cinema forever. His voice and talent will be remembered always. Sending love to his family, friends and countless fans in all the galaxies, far, far away."
"From stage to screen James was an absolute legend. He (and his voice) will be deeply missed. Rest in peace ♥️," Sedgwick wrote on Instagram.
"Rest in power to one of our giants. May we forever hold your voice in our hearts!" Brooks wrote.
Meanwhile, Jamie Foxx honored Jones as an "Icon" in an Instagram post. "Rest in Power," he wrote.
Uzo Aduba paid homage to Jones by sharing a clip of his Tony-winning portrayal of Troy Maxson in August Wilson's Broadway play "Fences."
"You are born a King. James Earl Jones holds the key to so many parts of our memories, our hearts," Aduba wrote in an Instagram caption. "My husband and I were watching this very clip a few weeks ago, moved, still, by his power.
"Thought I’d share it here, if you guys haven’t ever seen it. Definitely worth the watch. What a force of nature. In every medium. (May) he forever rest, his race most surely won."
