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Mark Hamill, Kevin Costner pay tribute to late James Earl Jones
By Karen Butler,
3 hours ago
Sept. 10 (UPI) -- Hollywood is mourning the death of one of its most beloved actors, Star Wars, Field of Dreams and The Lion King legend James Earl Jones .
James Earl Jones' legions of fans are mourning his death at the age of 93. File Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/UPI
The EGOT-winning actor and U.S. Army veteran with the instantly recognizable baritone voice died Monday at the age of 93.
Shortly after his death was announced, New York's Empire State Building was lit up to look like Jones' iconic Darth Vader villain from Star Wars and dozens of his fellow artists went online to pay tribute to him.
Left to right, James Earl Jones, Harvard University President Drew Gilpin Faust and Facebook founder, chairman, and CEO Mark Zuckerberg pose for a photo at the beginning of the 366th Commencement for Harvard University at Tercentenary Theatre in Cambridge, Mass., in 2017. File Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI
Mark Hamill , who played Vader's son Luke in the Star Wars franchise, wrote on X : "RIP dad," alongside a broken heart emoji.
Harry Belafonte (R) and James Earl Jones arrive for the "Stella By Starlight" Gala at the Players Club in New York in 2012. File Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/UPI
James Earl Jones and his wife, actress Cecilia Hart, arrives on the red carpet at the Ford's Theater official reopening celebration, marking the bicentennial of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln's birthday, in Washington in 2009. File Photo by Alexis C. Glenn/UPI James Earl Jones (R) appears backstage with the Life Achievement Award at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles in 2009. At left is presenter Forest Whitaker. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
"The kindness that he radiated. So much can be said about his legacy, so I'll just say how thankful I am that part of it includes Field of Dreams . 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. I'm grateful to have been a witness to him making that magic happen. Rest in peace, friend."
"This man was the living embodiment of artistry, integrity, creativity, and dignity," The Wire alum Wendell Pierce said on X.
"James Earl Jones is the sole reason I became an actor. He stirred a vocation in me that gave voice to my unsung heart songs," he added. "By example, he led me on the exploration of my own personal humanity and the study of human behavior in others and the intangible, ever-present soul. He was a once in a generation talent that has left an enormous legacy in American culture."
Matthew Broderick -- who voiced the character of Simba, son of Jones' Mufasa, in the animated movie, The Lion King , told People : "I'm so lucky to have had a chance to work with James Earl Jones. To have had him play my father, my king! And to get to know him a little bit. I'd cross paths with him from time to time over the years and I was always so thrilled to see him."
We say goodbye to a titan of the stage and screen, James Earl Jones.
An EGOT-winning actor, Jones captivated audiences of all ages with his versatile characters - from a president, kings, and the greatest villain in a galaxy far far away.
"It was truly an honor, Mr. Jones. You will be greatly missed," tweeted Sean Hayes , who appeared alongside Jones on the sitcom, Will and Grace .
Jones' last on screen appearance was reprising his role as King Joffer in the 2021 sequel Coming 2 America , and last voice appearance was as Darth Vader in the 2022 Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi .
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