‘It was a true privilege to witness his talent firsthand’: readers on James Earl Jones

‘So kind and gentle’

I got to meet James Earl Jones in 2010 for a moment after seeing the play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at the Novello theatre in London. It was an all-black cast with James Earl Jones, Phylicia Rashad as well as Sanaa Lathan and Adrian Lester. It was quite the experience, especially as a black woman. I was a fan of James Earl Jones because of Coming to America, and Roots, so seeing him in the flesh and being able to say hello and tell him and how much I loved the play was exciting. I didn’t want anything signed, but told him how much Roots had impacted me as a little black girl growing up in France and how funny he was in Coming to America. He was so kind and gentle. People were waiting for him to sign things and I didn’t understand why he would sign Darth Vader’s pictures. It is the night I discovered that he was the voice of Darth Vader and Mufasa!

I grew up with Star Wars – but in France both were dubbed. Over the next few weeks, I watched The Lion King and Star Wars in English and it added a new layer to who he was an an actor and a new dimension to Darth Vader and Mufasa. I decided that the original versions were much better than the dubbed ones and that dubbing his iconic voice was a crime that should be punished! Lydia Coombes, Oxford

‘I remember how imposing Darth Vader was’

I remember first watching Star Wars as a kid and seeing Darth Vader for the first time. I recall how imposing he was, and his voice was extremely important to that. I will always remember the iconic, “I am 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 inspired many emotions in me over the years. Terror, joy, wonder, humour. Truly a legend of cinema. Ben, US

‘Thulsa Doom’s stare was burned into my imagination’

In Conan the Barbarian (1982), the image of James Earl Jones’s character Thulsa Doom’s strangely entranced face, painfully stretching and changing into the form of a giant snake, has been burned into my imagination since I was a child. The way he stares at young Conan’s mother before he chops off her head is darker than the dark side. John, 47, Farnham, Surrey

‘One of the reasons I’ve spent my life working in the arts’

I was fortunate to see James Earl Jones and Jane Alexander in The Great White Hope at Arena Stage in Washington DC in 1967-68, before it transferred to Broadway. He was a giant. We shall not see another like him in my lifetime. I had been to a few Broadway musicals in my childhood but very few “straight” plays. I was a college freshman and I just remember being blown away by the power of his performance. Even at 17, I knew I was witnessing greatness at work. I am currently treasurer for the the box office at the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington and honestly his performance is one of the reasons I’ve spent my life working in the arts. Jillian, Washington DC

‘A once in a lifetime handshake’

Fourteen years ago, our paths crossed after a performance of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at the Novello theatre in 2010. There was a huge group of Canadian teens with their teacher waiting for him outside. James came out and got into the back of a people carrier and sat with the sliding door open while signing and talking to them all. Finally, I was the last man standing so to speak and caught him by surprise with my English accent. I said it was my first Tennessee Williams play. He told me I needed to see more. We talked for what seemed like ages about theatre and Tennessee Williams and how much he loved coming to London.

“I try to come as much as possible in the fall because my wife loves to shop here before the holidays!” he chuckled. I said “I must let you go”, realising he was still in the back of his people carrier with the driver patiently waiting. James had a pen in one hand and we ended up in a strange right-hand left-hand handshake which resulted in more laughter. I turned to walk away and heard a booming “Hey!” and turned back. He stood there, his right hand properly outstretched now and a massive megawatt grin. Of course I returned for that once in a lifetime handshake. What a sweetheart. Edward Phillips, Northampton

‘Great actor’

Two moments always stick in my mind when I think of this great actor. Firstly, the forgotten gem of an Al Pacino Shakespeare documentary Looking for Richard. Jones talks about discovering the transcendental power of Shakespearean dialogue. Second would be when I saw him on stage in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with Phylicia Rashad at the Novello theatre. The power of his voice is well-known through Vader and the Lion King of course, but live on stage it was incredibly nuanced. Daniel, Brighton

‘His glorious voice and good humour are unmatched’

I was working for a well-known acting couple based in New York in the 1990s and James Earl Jones was a guest at their country house. I had finished work there for the day and was upstairs in my little sitting room, watching TV and eating ice cream. I heard a booming voice ask if he could say hello. Next minute, he pops his head around the door. “Are you watching the game?” he asked. “No, sorry, I have no interest in American football,” I said. “Where’s your lovely accent from?” He asked. “New Zealand,” I said. “Ah, the mighty All Blacks,” he said. “No wonder you don’t follow football. Rugby is a great sport and no one does it better than the All Blacks. Enjoy your evening,” he called, as he left. His glorious voice and good humour are unmatched. Jo Dippie, Nelson, New Zealand

‘He brought such power and grace to the role’

I feel blessed to have seen James Earl Jones perform live on stage in Broadway’s You Can’t Take It With You back in 2014. He was incredible, bringing such power and grace to the role. It was a true privilege to witness his talent firsthand – an unforgettable experience I’ll cherish forever. Nikki Campbell, London