James Earl Jones will be honored in recognition of his illustrious career.
Known for his iconic portrayal of Darth Vader in "Star Wars," the actor also appeared in "Field of Dreams" and lent his voice to Mufasa in "The Lion King."
Jones passed away at his home in Dutchess County, New York, on September 9 at the age of 93.
Broadway theaters will dim their lights as a tribute to his amazing career, which stretched over seven decades and included outstanding performances on both stage and screen.
As part of Broadway's tradition of honoring theater icons, the house lights will be dimmed at 6:45 pm on Thursday, September 26, 2024.
Regarding the tribute, Jason Laks, acting president of the Broadway League said via THR, "James Earl Jones was a true pillar of the Broadway industry, providing unforgettable experiences to multiple generations of theatregoers - all while accumulating many well-deserved honors, awards, and achievements for his iconic performances in other entertainment fields."
He added, "While we acknowledge and celebrate Mr. Jones' significant legacy across multiple mediums, we are particularly proud of his legacy on Broadway and are grateful for the many memorable performances with which he graced our stages."
In 2017, James received a Tony Award for his lifetime contributions to the theater world.
In 2022, the venue where he made his first theatrical appearance in 1958 was renamed the James Earl Jones Theatre to honor his impressive career.
Jones started his Broadway journey in 1957 as a backup performer in "The Egghead," and a decade later, he earned a Tony Award for his performance in "The Great White Hope."
He later had major roles in productions like "Of Mice and Men," "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," and "Driving Miss Daisy." Most recently, he displayed his talent in the 2017 Broadway production of "The Gin Game."
Earlier in his years, Jones was asked by a BBC interviewer about his feelings regarding the strong association with Darth Vader. The role involved providing the character's voice for a few lines while another actor handled the on-screen performance in costume.
He said he happily fulfilled fans' requests for a dramatic reenactment of his famous "I am your father" line to Luke Skywalker, portrayed by Mark Hamill, adding it was a privilege for him to be a part of something so beloved and cherished.
"I love being part of that whole myth, of that whole cult."
