ten memorable performances from the late James Earl Jones • Journal • A Magazine • , Life in canada

“That booming voice. That quiet strength. The kindness that he radiated. So much can be said about his legacy,” wrote Kevin Costner of his Field of Dreams co-star James Earl Jones the day after the actor’s passing this week at the age of 93. With lines like Darth Vader’s “No, I am your father,” Jones’s voice resonates in the annals of cinema history as forcefully as his incandescent visage. Star Wars creator George Lucas echoed Costner’s sentiments, while also stating, “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.”

Jones is among the rare group of performers to have earned the illustrious EGOT, with two Tonys (for The Great White Hope and Fences, plus a Lifetime Achievement Award), two Emmys (for Heat Wave and Gabriel’s Fire, plus a Daytime Emmy for Summer’s End), a Grammy (Best Spoken Word for Great American Documents) and an Honorary Oscar received in 2011, over 40 years since he won that first Tony. “A master of our craft”, reflected Colman Domingo in the wake of the news, “We stand on your shoulders.” Jones has been a foundational presence for artists and audiences alike for nearly five decades, whether it’s his powerful performances on stage or that deeply resonant voice that nestles into the spirit of new generations at a young age thanks to Star Wars and The Lion King.

We take a look at what members have been saying about the actor as they pay tribute to the legend by watching some of his most memorable work.