‘So type and delicate’
I acquired to fulfill James Earl Jones in 2010 for a second after seeing the play Cat on a Sizzling Tin Roof on the Novello theatre in London. It was an all-black solid with James Earl Jones, Phylicia Rashad in addition to Sanaa Lathan and Adrian Lester. It was fairly the expertise, particularly as a black girl. I used to be a fan of James Earl Jones due to Coming to America, and Roots, so seeing him within the flesh and having the ability to say howdy and inform him and the way a lot I cherished the play was thrilling. I didn’t need something signed, however instructed him how a lot Roots had impacted me as slightly black woman rising up in France and the way humorous he was in Coming to America. He was so type and delicate. Individuals have been ready for him to signal issues and I didn’t perceive why he would signal Darth Vader’s footage. It’s the night time I found that he was the voice of Darth Vader and Mufasa!
I grew up with Star Wars – however in France each have been dubbed. Over the subsequent few weeks, I watched The Lion King and Star Wars in English and it added a brand new layer to who he was an an actor and a brand new dimension to Darth Vader and Mufasa. I made a decision that the unique variations have been a lot better than the dubbed ones and that dubbing his iconic voice was a criminal offense that needs to be punished! Lydia Coombes, Oxford
‘I bear in mind how imposing Darth Vader was’
I bear in mind first watching Star Wars as a child and seeing Darth Vader for the primary time. I recall how imposing he was, and his voice was extraordinarily essential to that. I’ll at all times bear in mind the enduring, “I’m your father” line that he delivered and the sheer shock of the twist of Luke’s relationship to Vader. Jones’s deep, majestic voice has impressed many feelings in me over time. Terror, pleasure, surprise, humour. Really a legend of cinema. Ben, US
‘Thulsa Doom’s stare was burned into my creativeness’
In Conan the Barbarian (1982), the picture of James Earl Jones’s character Thulsa Doom’s surprisingly entranced face, painfully stretching and becoming the type of an enormous snake, has been burned into my creativeness since I used to be a baby. The best way he stares at younger Conan’s mom earlier than he chops off her head is darker than the darkish aspect. John, 47, Farnham, Surrey
‘One of many causes I’ve spent my life working within the arts’
I used to be lucky to see James Earl Jones and Jane Alexander in The Nice White Hope at Enviornment Stage in Washington DC in 1967-68, earlier than it transferred to Broadway. He was an enormous. We will not see one other like him in my lifetime. I had been to a couple Broadway musicals in my childhood however only a few “straight” performs. I used to be a university freshman and I simply bear in mind being blown away by the facility of his efficiency. Even at 17, I knew I used to be witnessing greatness at work. I’m at the moment treasurer for the the field workplace on the John F Kennedy Heart for the Performing Arts in Washington and truthfully his efficiency is likely one of the causes I’ve spent my life working within the arts. Jillian, Washington DC
‘A as soon as in a lifetime handshake’
Fourteen years in the past, our paths crossed after a efficiency of Cat on a Sizzling Tin Roof on the Novello theatre in 2010. There was an enormous group of Canadian teenagers with their trainer ready for him exterior. James got here out and acquired into the again of a individuals provider and sat with the sliding door open whereas signing and speaking to all of them. Lastly, I used to be the final man standing so to talk and caught him abruptly with my English accent. I mentioned it was my first Tennessee Williams play. He instructed me I wanted to see extra. We talked for what appeared like ages about theatre and Tennessee Williams and the way a lot he cherished coming to London.
“I attempt to come as a lot as attainable within the fall as a result of my spouse loves to buy right here earlier than the vacations!” he chuckled. I mentioned “I need to allow you to go”, realising he was nonetheless at the back of his individuals provider with the driving force patiently ready. James had a pen in a single hand and we ended up in an odd right-hand left-hand handshake which resulted in additional laughter. I turned to stroll away and heard a booming “Hey!” and turned again. He stood there, his proper hand correctly outstretched now and an enormous megawatt grin. In fact I returned for that when in a lifetime handshake. What a sweetheart. Edward Phillips, Northampton
‘Nice actor’
Two moments at all times stick in my thoughts once I consider this nice actor. Firstly, the forgotten gem of an Al Pacino Shakespeare documentary In search of Richard. Jones talks about discovering the transcendental energy of Shakespearean dialogue. Second can be once I noticed him on stage in Cat on a Sizzling Tin Roof with Phylicia Rashad on the Novello theatre. The facility of his voice is well-known via Vader and the Lion King in fact, however reside on stage it was extremely nuanced. Daniel, Brighton
‘His wonderful voice and good humour are unmatched’
I used to be working for a well known performing couple based mostly in New York within the Nineteen Nineties and James Earl Jones was a visitor at their nation home. I had completed work there for the day and was upstairs in my little sitting room, watching TV and consuming ice cream. I heard a booming voice ask if he might say howdy. Subsequent minute, he pops his head across the door. “Are you watching the sport?” he requested. “No, sorry, I’ve little interest in American soccer,” I mentioned. “The place’s your pretty accent from?” He requested. “New Zealand,” I mentioned. “Ah, the mighty All Blacks,” he mentioned. “No surprise you don’t comply with soccer. Rugby is a good sport and nobody does it higher than the All Blacks. Get pleasure from your night,” he referred to as, as he left. His wonderful voice and good humour are unmatched. Jo Dippie, Nelson, New Zealand
‘He introduced such energy and style to the position’
I really feel blessed to have seen James Earl Jones carry out reside on stage in Broadway’s You Can’t Take It With You again in 2014. He was unbelievable, bringing such energy and style to the position. It was a real privilege to witness his expertise firsthand – an unforgettable expertise I’ll cherish without end. Nikki Campbell, London
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