RIP James Earl Jones (93: 1931-2024)

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses the life and legacy of James Earl Jones following his passing at the age of 93. Participants reflect on his various roles in film and theater, sharing personal favorites and memories of his performances across different genres.

Discussion Character

  • Meta-discussion
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants highlight Jones's iconic role as Darth Vader, while others note that this association is less relevant in regions where films are dubbed.
  • Several participants express their admiration for his performances in films such as Field of Dreams, The Hunt for Red October, and Conan the Barbarian.
  • One participant recalls watching Jones perform Othello, emphasizing his range and stage presence.
  • There are mentions of his early career, including his role in Dr. Strangelove, and his achievements as a Tony-winning Broadway actor.
  • Some posts include humorous references to the original voice of Darth Vader and light-hearted commentary on his film roles.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the impact and talent of James Earl Jones, though they express differing personal associations with his work, particularly regarding his role as Darth Vader.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the cultural significance of certain roles due to regional differences in film dubbing.

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https://apnews.com/article/james-earl-jones-dies-19ea259ff3f44b91b2ed8730b702c23f

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/james-earl-jones-dies-age-93-actor-darth-vader/

https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/james-earl-jones-dead-obituary-1234768096/

James Earl Jones, the renowned actor of stage and screen who lent his booming, inimitable voice to Darth Vader and The Lion King, died Monday morning at the age of 93.

Jones died at his home in Duchess County, New York, with his family surrounding him, the actor’s representatives at Independent Artist Group confirmed to Rolling Stone. No cause of death was given.

In the decades before venturing off to “a galaxy far, far away,” Jones was a Tony-winning Broadway star, first winning Best Actor in 1970 for his role of a Jack Johnson-inspired boxer in the play The Great White Hope; Jones was similarly nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for the same role in the play’s big-screen adaptation.

Jones spent the majority of the Sixties establishing himself on the stage, becoming one of the era’s preeminent Shakespearean actors. His film debut came in 1964 with a small role in Stanley Kubrick’s Cold War black comedy Dr. Strangelove, playing a bombardier aboard the nuke-dropping airplane.
 
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Everybody mentions Darth Vader but movies here are dubbed so I lack this association. I like to think of his role in The Hunt for Red October.
 
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I liked him best of all in Field of Dreams. A great actor. R.I.P.

 
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He was also in the somewhat obscure but good movie Matewan which I like.
 
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James Earl Jones had a role in Dr. Strangelove, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964), directed by Stanley Kubrick. Jones's role was Lt. Lothar Zogg, one of the B-52 crew, who had some dialog with the pilot, Maj. 'King' Kong (Slim Pickens).
 
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fresh_42 said:
I like to think of his role in The Hunt for Red October.
He was never there. :wink:
 
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James Earl Jones in Conan the Barbarian

Thulsa Doom behead's Conan's mother - Conan the Barbarian (1982)




James Earl Jones in Coming to America

Coming to America (1988) - A King in New York
 
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fresh_42 said:
Everybody mentions Darth Vader but movies here are dubbed so I lack this association. I like to think of his role in The Hunt for Red October.

he did so many awesome movies :smile:
 
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fresh_42 said:
Everybody mentions Darth Vader but movies here are dubbed so I lack this association.

The original voice of Darth Vader (David Prowse): :biggrin:

The Real Voice of Darth Vader...hilarious!
 
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  • #10
1725952895526.png
 
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  • #11
The Big Bang Theory - Sheldon meets James Earl Jones S07E14
 
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  • #12
 
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  • #13
"I felt a great disturbance in the Force. As if millions of voices cried out in anguish and then went silent in reverence."
 
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  • #14
DennisN said:
The original voice of Darth Vader (David Prowse): :biggrin:

The Real Voice of Darth Vader...hilarious!

Yes that West country bumpkin accent not quite right!
I would not have said that to his face though (6 ft 6 and 280 lbs!)

JEJ was fantastic in Field of Dreams. Nice monologue here.



This is great, I bet they had a blast filming this.

 
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  • #15
pinball1970 said:
Yes that West country bumpkin accent not quite right!
'ark at I, Luke. I do be yer father!
 
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  • #16
On a more serious note, he was an accomplished stage actor as well. I watched him play Shakespeare’s Othello in Los Angeles in 1971. His range of expression was tremendous. He orated, emoted, thundered and cried as he dominated the stage with that deep voice we all know from his films. He was an actor with a superb presence.
 
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  • #17
What a wonderful actor he was. Rest in peace, sir!
 
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  • #18
Ffffunny clip (has a little profanity.)

From “The Angriest Man in Brooklyn“
 
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  • #19
From: "The Sand Lot".
 
  • #20
 
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  • #21
robphy said:
James Earl Jones in Conan the Barbarian

Thulsa Doom behead's Conan's mother - Conan the Barbarian (1982)




Beheading Thulsa Doom


'mike drop'
 
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