Tributes Pour in for Legendary Actor James Earl Jones

Star Wars creator George Lucas has led heartfelt tributes to the “incredible actor” James Earl Jones, the legendary voice behind Darth Vader, following his passing at the age of 93. In a touching statement, Lucas described Jones as “a most unique voice, both in art and spirit.”

“For nearly half a century, he was Darth Vader,” Lucas reflected, “but the secret to it all is that he was a beautiful human being.” He praised Jones for bringing “depth, sincerity, and meaning” to every role, emphasizing his devotion as a husband to the late Ceci and father to Flynn. “James will be missed by so many of us—friends and fans alike.”

James Earl Jones, celebrated for his deep, commanding voice as Darth Vader, also made his mark in numerous films, including Field of Dreams, Coming to America, Conan the Barbarian, and as the voice of Mufasa in The Lion King. Mark Hamill, who portrayed Luke Skywalker, Vader’s son, posted “RIP Dad” on X, accompanied by a broken heart emoji.

Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, highlighted Jones’ versatility and talent, calling his baritone portrayal of Darth Vader “one of the greatest villainous performances in cinema.” She added, “His commanding presence on screen, and his warm personality off-screen, will be greatly missed.”

Disney’s CEO, Bob Iger, lauded Jones for lending his voice to some of cinema’s most iconic characters, from the gentle wisdom of Mufasa to the menacing threat of Darth Vader. “The stories he brought to life with a uniquely commanding presence and a true richness of spirit have left an indelible mark on generations of audiences,” Iger remarked.

Matthew Broderick, who voiced Simba in The Lion King, expressed his gratitude, saying, “I’m so lucky to have had a chance to work with James Earl Jones. To have had him play my father, my king!” He added, “And to get to know him a little bit.”

Star Trek legend George Takei shared his tribute, writing, “A great spirit and boundless, unique voice has left us. James Earl Jones has passed, and he is returned to the great beyond. We are all the lesser for his loss.”

LeVar Burton, another Star Trek actor, echoed the sentiment on X: “There will never be another of his particular combination of graces.”

Kevin Costner, who co-starred with Jones in Field of Dreams, reflected on Instagram: “That booming voice. That quiet strength. The kindness that he radiated.” He added, “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.”

Oscar-winning actress Octavia Spencer honored Jones on Instagram, noting that his “voice and talent will be remembered always,” while The Color Purple star Danielle Brooks called him “one of our giants” and wished him to “rest in power.”

CNN, where Jones’ voice graced the iconic tagline “This is CNN,” released a statement, saying: “He was the voice of CNN and our brand for many decades, uniquely conveying through speech instant authority, grace, and decorum.”

Jones’ journey to becoming a vocal icon was all the more impressive, given that he overcame a stammer in his youth. Jane Powell, CEO of Stamma, a stammer support organization, praised Jones for his perseverance, stating, “A great actor, a fantastic voice, and by all accounts a lovely man.”

As tributes pour in from across the globe, it’s clear that James Earl Jones’ remarkable voice and towering legacy will continue to resonate for generations. From the Empire State Building lighting up with Darth Vader’s image to heartfelt messages from peers, his impact on cinema, television, and culture remains unparalleled. As director Paul Feig aptly put it, “James Earl Jones will never die, as his talent, work, and influence will be with us always.”