Some celebrity deaths hurt more than others because some talents have touched us in ways too deep to sometimes put into words.
Of course, I'm of that mindset that believes every death diminishes us -- with some exceptions, honestly -- and I hate to be in the business of reporting and lightly commenting on these life and death issues. I never wish my words of praise or reflection to harm any reader; it's just that having grown to the age that I am and having to sit and watch as yet one more dynamic presence passes into whatever lies beyond can be a bit debilitating at times. No, I don't worship at the trough of Hollywood, and yet that doesn't mean I can't be moved by a loss like that of James Earl Jones.
For without Mr. Jones there would quite probably be no Star Wars. (Yes, I realize that's a pretty big statement.) His voice brought to life the Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Vader, in ways that perhaps no other talent could have. For the record, Vader has been over and over again voted as one of the silver screens signature portrayals of evil; and this happens again and again despite the fact that his fall from grace is given a bit of redemption in the closing of Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi. While Jones may not have been physically on screen, his very words nonetheless moved all of us to care about the plight of Anakin Skywalker from start to finish.
Thankfully, the actor had quite a life beyond the galaxy far, far away even though that's likely what he'll be best remembered for. I remember first seeing him in a broadcast television airing of 1964's groundbreaking SciFi/Satire Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb. (For those of you who haven't seen it -- maybe it never quite interested you or you suspected it was high drama coming from Stanley Kubrick -- I encourage you to give it a spin. Jones' part isn't big, but it's a film that endures decades later.) I also remember catching him in 1975's The UFO Incident, a telefilm that explored the mystery of Betty and Barney Hill. I remember the time he suited up as another screen villain -- the mighty and mysterious Thulsa Doom -- aboard the wonderful 1982 theatrical adaptation of Conan The Barbarian. I remember him tugging at my heartstrings with his work in the exceptional Field Of Dreams (1989) playing an aging cultural rebel who just might land the writing gig of a lifetime. Lastly, I think I'll always remember him for his work in 1996's underrated A Family Thing where he plays a black man somewhat shocked to learn that he has a white and somewhat prejudiced long-lost brother (played by Robert Duvall).
There are so many great roles to know one actor from; and -- as I always do -- I encourage those of you who read these few words to seek out and explore some of the actor's catalogue. He was a master at his craft; and we don't get to see one of the greats so consistently turn in career-defining performances across multiple decades. His is a voice that'll stay with us forever, and I'm privileged to realize I've enjoyed what he did in so many features.
Our prayers are extended to the family, friends, and fans of James Earl Jones.
May he rest in peace.
-- EZ
Of course, I'm of that mindset that believes every death diminishes us -- with some exceptions, honestly -- and I hate to be in the business of reporting and lightly commenting on these life and death issues. I never wish my words of praise or reflection to harm any reader; it's just that having grown to the age that I am and having to sit and watch as yet one more dynamic presence passes into whatever lies beyond can be a bit debilitating at times. No, I don't worship at the trough of Hollywood, and yet that doesn't mean I can't be moved by a loss like that of James Earl Jones.
For without Mr. Jones there would quite probably be no Star Wars. (Yes, I realize that's a pretty big statement.) His voice brought to life the Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Vader, in ways that perhaps no other talent could have. For the record, Vader has been over and over again voted as one of the silver screens signature portrayals of evil; and this happens again and again despite the fact that his fall from grace is given a bit of redemption in the closing of Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi. While Jones may not have been physically on screen, his very words nonetheless moved all of us to care about the plight of Anakin Skywalker from start to finish.
Thankfully, the actor had quite a life beyond the galaxy far, far away even though that's likely what he'll be best remembered for. I remember first seeing him in a broadcast television airing of 1964's groundbreaking SciFi/Satire Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb. (For those of you who haven't seen it -- maybe it never quite interested you or you suspected it was high drama coming from Stanley Kubrick -- I encourage you to give it a spin. Jones' part isn't big, but it's a film that endures decades later.) I also remember catching him in 1975's The UFO Incident, a telefilm that explored the mystery of Betty and Barney Hill. I remember the time he suited up as another screen villain -- the mighty and mysterious Thulsa Doom -- aboard the wonderful 1982 theatrical adaptation of Conan The Barbarian. I remember him tugging at my heartstrings with his work in the exceptional Field Of Dreams (1989) playing an aging cultural rebel who just might land the writing gig of a lifetime. Lastly, I think I'll always remember him for his work in 1996's underrated A Family Thing where he plays a black man somewhat shocked to learn that he has a white and somewhat prejudiced long-lost brother (played by Robert Duvall).
There are so many great roles to know one actor from; and -- as I always do -- I encourage those of you who read these few words to seek out and explore some of the actor's catalogue. He was a master at his craft; and we don't get to see one of the greats so consistently turn in career-defining performances across multiple decades. His is a voice that'll stay with us forever, and I'm privileged to realize I've enjoyed what he did in so many features.
Our prayers are extended to the family, friends, and fans of James Earl Jones.
May he rest in peace.
-- EZ
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