“He was who I wanted to be”: Denzel Washington Gives Heartfelt Tribute to James Earl Jones as Star Wars Legend Passes Away at 93
- Denzel Washington praised James Earl Jones as a major inspiration and role model in his career.
- Washington admired Jones for his deep voice and powerful presence on both stage and screen.
- George Lucas and other celebs also paid tribute to Jones's legendary roles and personal kindness.
In the vast universe of movies, James Earl Jones was a true superstar. With a voice so deep, he could make even the most mundane sentence sound profound. Jones was undoubtedly a giant on both stage and screen. His impact was like a supernova—bright, powerful, and unforgettable.
Whether as the imposing Darth Vader in Star Wars or the wise King Mufasa in The Lion King, Jones’ voice and presence were simply iconic. His talent and commanding presence earned him respect from both fellow actors and fans, making his death feel like the closing of a grand chapter.
Though his roles were often larger than life, his influence on those who admired him was equally immense. After his passing on 9th September, one notable tribute came from Denzel Washington, who delivered a heartfelt and respectful homage.
Denzel Washington’s Heartfelt Tribute to James Earl Jones
To a young Denzel Washington, James Earl Jones was the pinnacle of what an actor could achieve. Back then, there weren’t many Black actors who commanded the same level of respect, so Jones was like a shining example of where Washington aspired to be.
So, when the 69-year-old spoke about Jones after his tragic passing, his admiration was palpable. He said in an interview with Variety:
He’s my hero… I wasn’t going to be as big as him. I wanted to sound like him. He was everything to me as a budding actor. He was who I wanted to be. I wasn’t going to be as big as him. I wanted to sound like him. He was everything to me as a budding actor. He was who I wanted to be.
Alongside Sidney Poitier, Jones was one of the rare role models for young Black actors. Their groundbreaking careers set the stage for Washington to rise as a leading actor. Even though Washington and Jones never shared a screen, their careers ran parallel, with Jones serving as a guiding star.
One of Jones’s big moments was his Tony Award-winning role as Troy Maxson in the 1987 Broadway hit Fences by August Wilson. Fast forward to 2016, and Washington took on the challenge of directing, producing, and starring in the film adaptation.
His efforts paid off with Oscar nominations for both Best Picture and Best Actor, making him the first Black person to be nominated in both categories in the same year. Quite the dramatic circle of life, wouldn’t you say? So, as Washington continues to celebrate August Wilson’s work, he’s paying tribute to the path that Jones helped pave.
Tributes from James Earl Jones’s Fellow Stars
As news of James Earl Jones’s death spread, tributes began to flow in from all corners of the entertainment industry. George Lucas, the mastermind behind Star Wars, was among the first to pay his respects.
As published on StarWars.com, Lucas praised Jones as “a most unique voice both in art and spirit.” He reminisced about how Jones turned Darth Vader into a character with real depth and weight, adding:
For nearly half a century he was Darth Vader, but the secret to it all is he was a beautiful human being.
Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker, posted a simple yet profound “RIP Dad” on X as a tribute to his on-screen father. Octavia Spencer also took to Instagram, describing Jones’s voice and talent as timeless and iconic. She noted:
I’m incredibly saddened to learn of #JamesEarlJones’ passing today. Legendary doesn’t even begin to describe his iconic roles and impact on cinema forever.
Colman Domingo echoed these same sentiments on his X account.
These warm messages are proof of the huge respect and admiration Jones collected throughout his stellar career.
