Exit, Stage Left
September 9, 2024 2:32 PM Subscribe
I just saw this elsewhere.
. to a decent person, a great actor, and an incredible voice.
posted by Ickster at 2:34 PM on September 9 [4 favorites]
. to a decent person, a great actor, and an incredible voice.
posted by Ickster at 2:34 PM on September 9 [4 favorites]
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posted by The Great Big Mulp at 2:34 PM on September 9
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 2:34 PM on September 9
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posted by whatevernot at 2:39 PM on September 9
posted by whatevernot at 2:39 PM on September 9
A generational vocal talent. Star Wars and Lucasfilm owe their success to his Darth Vader. Everything orbited and reflected off the menace of the Empire, personified by Vader. The “emperor” was a joke in comparison, the Stormtroopers clowns. One can justify that entire franchise and the billions it’s earned as a response to James Earl Jones’ voice.
posted by seanmpuckett at 2:41 PM on September 9 [57 favorites]
posted by seanmpuckett at 2:41 PM on September 9 [57 favorites]
Man, this wasn't a surprise, but its still a punch.
posted by drewbage1847 at 2:41 PM on September 9 [3 favorites]
posted by drewbage1847 at 2:41 PM on September 9 [3 favorites]
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posted by faceplantingcheetah at 2:42 PM on September 9
posted by faceplantingcheetah at 2:42 PM on September 9
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And outside of everything else where he was great, he was really enjoyable in a very quick part in Sneakers...
Whistler: I want peace on earth and goodwill toward men.
Bernard Abbott: We are the United States Government! We don't do that sort of thing.
posted by Mutant Lobsters from Riverhead at 2:43 PM on September 9 [29 favorites]
And outside of everything else where he was great, he was really enjoyable in a very quick part in Sneakers...
Whistler: I want peace on earth and goodwill toward men.
Bernard Abbott: We are the United States Government! We don't do that sort of thing.
posted by Mutant Lobsters from Riverhead at 2:43 PM on September 9 [29 favorites]
James Earl Jones goes to nuclear war, but needs a real cigarette.
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posted by doctornemo at 2:44 PM on September 9 [1 favorite]
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posted by doctornemo at 2:44 PM on September 9 [1 favorite]
𝄢
posted by Faint of Butt at 2:48 PM on September 9 [7 favorites]
posted by Faint of Butt at 2:48 PM on September 9 [7 favorites]
Anything you can possibly find by way of a filmed stage show with this man in it, you will not regret watching. He was a phenomenal stage actor.
posted by humbug at 2:52 PM on September 9 [8 favorites]
posted by humbug at 2:52 PM on September 9 [8 favorites]
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Was there a Shakespere role he didn't do? I'm saying if you told me he did Lady Macbeth I'd believe you and be bummed I didn't see it.
We won't see the likes of him again and I'm worse for it. And so are all of you.
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posted by East14thTaco at 2:54 PM on September 9 [6 favorites]
Was there a Shakespere role he didn't do? I'm saying if you told me he did Lady Macbeth I'd believe you and be bummed I didn't see it.
We won't see the likes of him again and I'm worse for it. And so are all of you.
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posted by East14thTaco at 2:54 PM on September 9 [6 favorites]
As a child I sat in front of the black and white TV enraptured, watching him count to ten. As a teacher I showed the same Sesame Street clip to a roomful of Japanese children, and they counted along with him.
He was a true joy to the whole world, and we are blessed to have seen a lot of him over the years. Thank you, James Earl Jones.
posted by Ice Cream Socialist at 2:54 PM on September 9 [16 favorites]
He was a true joy to the whole world, and we are blessed to have seen a lot of him over the years. Thank you, James Earl Jones.
posted by Ice Cream Socialist at 2:54 PM on September 9 [16 favorites]
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posted by Silvery Fish at 2:56 PM on September 9
posted by Silvery Fish at 2:56 PM on September 9
My earliest TV memory is when James Earl Jones visited Mr. Hooper's store for an egg cream on Sesame Street. I was three, and the dude made an immediate, indelible impression on me. Memory eternal!
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posted by /\/\/\/ at 2:57 PM on September 9 [11 favorites]
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posted by /\/\/\/ at 2:57 PM on September 9 [11 favorites]
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
He recently allowed for Disney to synthesize his Darth voice till the end of time so we knew preparations were being made but still :,(
posted by St. Peepsburg at 2:57 PM on September 9 [3 favorites]
He recently allowed for Disney to synthesize his Darth voice till the end of time so we knew preparations were being made but still :,(
posted by St. Peepsburg at 2:57 PM on September 9 [3 favorites]
Contemplate this on the tree of woe....
posted by kaibutsu at 3:00 PM on September 9 [9 favorites]
posted by kaibutsu at 3:00 PM on September 9 [9 favorites]
I'm a big fan of "voices" - and his reigned supreme.
posted by davidmsc at 3:03 PM on September 9 [3 favorites]
posted by davidmsc at 3:03 PM on September 9 [3 favorites]
To a long life, well lived.
Nevermore.
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posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 3:04 PM on September 9 [8 favorites]
Nevermore.
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posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 3:04 PM on September 9 [8 favorites]
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posted by UhOhChongo! at 3:07 PM on September 9
posted by UhOhChongo! at 3:07 PM on September 9
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posted by token-ring at 3:08 PM on September 9
posted by token-ring at 3:08 PM on September 9
He did mostly voice work during the past decade, and his appearances are kinda rough to watch because one is Robin Williams in one of his final roles, and the other is Jarre Joffer's funeral.
But I like Star Wars too.
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posted by credulous at 3:10 PM on September 9 [3 favorites]
But I like Star Wars too.
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posted by credulous at 3:10 PM on September 9 [3 favorites]
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posted by Token Meme at 3:12 PM on September 9
posted by Token Meme at 3:12 PM on September 9
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posted by cmfletcher at 3:13 PM on September 9
posted by cmfletcher at 3:13 PM on September 9
I'm not saying it was his best work, but he was one of the earliest voice actors in video games as well.
posted by BrotherCaine at 3:18 PM on September 9
posted by BrotherCaine at 3:18 PM on September 9
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posted by JoeXIII007 at 3:19 PM on September 9
posted by JoeXIII007 at 3:19 PM on September 9
Oh no...
"People will come Ray..."
"I AM YOUR FATHER!"
Can't put a dot big enough
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posted by Windopaene at 3:22 PM on September 9 [5 favorites]
"People will come Ray..."
"I AM YOUR FATHER!"
Can't put a dot big enough
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posted by Windopaene at 3:22 PM on September 9 [5 favorites]
My favorite James Earl Jones role is as Stephen Kumalo in Cry, The Beloved Country (1995). Kumalo is a provincial pastor in South Africa who goes to Johannesburg to find his son. It's based on the book of the same name by Alan Paton, and takes place in pre-Apartheid South Africa.
I'd seen, of course, all the James Earl Jones booming-voice, high authority, booming voice roles, and loved it. But seeing this huge man with this tremendous presence play a small and meek character was eye-opening. Such an actor! Such an actor. I've been fonder of him ever since I saw him in that role.
posted by Well I never at 3:22 PM on September 9 [25 favorites]
I'd seen, of course, all the James Earl Jones booming-voice, high authority, booming voice roles, and loved it. But seeing this huge man with this tremendous presence play a small and meek character was eye-opening. Such an actor! Such an actor. I've been fonder of him ever since I saw him in that role.
posted by Well I never at 3:22 PM on September 9 [25 favorites]
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posted by Flight Hardware, do not touch at 3:27 PM on September 9
posted by Flight Hardware, do not touch at 3:27 PM on September 9
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Seems fitting to share my favorite song that name-checks James Earl Jones.
Goodnight.
posted by armeowda at 3:31 PM on September 9
Seems fitting to share my favorite song that name-checks James Earl Jones.
Goodnight.
posted by armeowda at 3:31 PM on September 9
I was darkly compelled to immediately look up the status of Brian Blessed (who is apparently still doing well, thankfully, at 87) When they do meet, they're going to shake the vaults of heaven.
Jones was an awesome actor: a combination of incredible talent, nobility and gravitas. Tonight, in his honor, I'll listen to the audiobook of him reading the Old Testament.
posted by Bora Horza Gobuchul at 3:39 PM on September 9 [7 favorites]
Jones was an awesome actor: a combination of incredible talent, nobility and gravitas. Tonight, in his honor, I'll listen to the audiobook of him reading the Old Testament.
posted by Bora Horza Gobuchul at 3:39 PM on September 9 [7 favorites]
the voice of god is dead. 😭
posted by nofundy at 3:48 PM on September 9 [3 favorites]
posted by nofundy at 3:48 PM on September 9 [3 favorites]
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posted by gentlyepigrams at 3:50 PM on September 9
posted by gentlyepigrams at 3:50 PM on September 9
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His voice was such that he could bring gravitas to "Totes Magotes".
posted by NoxAeternum at 3:54 PM on September 9 [7 favorites]
His voice was such that he could bring gravitas to "Totes Magotes".
posted by NoxAeternum at 3:54 PM on September 9 [7 favorites]
I wanted to post a Darth Vader emoji, but there isn’t one. We should rectify that.
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posted by JustSayNoDawg at 3:56 PM on September 9
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posted by JustSayNoDawg at 3:56 PM on September 9
Apparently, my partner saw him as Othello on stage as a teen and got to chat with him (as part of a group) in the dressing room after. I'm like. Sigh.
posted by seanmpuckett at 4:04 PM on September 9 [5 favorites]
posted by seanmpuckett at 4:04 PM on September 9 [5 favorites]
the voice of god is dead.
This summer I listened to The Bible during my drivetime commute. The Audible edition has a bunch of different actors reading, which is fine.
Then, about halfway through the Old Testament I discovered there is a KJV bible reading recorded by James Earl Jones. I got a copy and started listening, and at first old words in that deep mellifluous voice were extraordinary.
Except ....
The whole fucking thing features a backing track of softly playing pseudo jazz that made me feel like I was in the grimy bar of a clapped out hotel listening to some rasp-throated drunk ramble on about Pharaoh and heave and wave offerings late into the smoke-filled night.
I thought it might just be audio riffs at the beginning and the end of chapters, but it wasn't, it was constant throughout. I just couldn't take it.
[You can find just JEJ reading without the music on YouTube]
Anyway, I loved him as as Vader of course, but also in "The Lion King," "Dr. Strangelove" and "The Comedians." And probably my favorite of all, as the Salinger figure in "Field of Dreams."
What a career. What a voice!
posted by chavenet at 4:07 PM on September 9 [10 favorites]
This summer I listened to The Bible during my drivetime commute. The Audible edition has a bunch of different actors reading, which is fine.
Then, about halfway through the Old Testament I discovered there is a KJV bible reading recorded by James Earl Jones. I got a copy and started listening, and at first old words in that deep mellifluous voice were extraordinary.
Except ....
The whole fucking thing features a backing track of softly playing pseudo jazz that made me feel like I was in the grimy bar of a clapped out hotel listening to some rasp-throated drunk ramble on about Pharaoh and heave and wave offerings late into the smoke-filled night.
I thought it might just be audio riffs at the beginning and the end of chapters, but it wasn't, it was constant throughout. I just couldn't take it.
[You can find just JEJ reading without the music on YouTube]
Anyway, I loved him as as Vader of course, but also in "The Lion King," "Dr. Strangelove" and "The Comedians." And probably my favorite of all, as the Salinger figure in "Field of Dreams."
What a career. What a voice!
posted by chavenet at 4:07 PM on September 9 [10 favorites]
Bernard Abbott: We are the United States Government! We don't do that sort of thing.
In my head canon, Abbott is Jim Greer under deep cover. Or, vice-versa.
He gave Field of Dreams its gravitas.
posted by snuffleupagus at 4:08 PM on September 9 [5 favorites]
In my head canon, Abbott is Jim Greer under deep cover. Or, vice-versa.
He gave Field of Dreams its gravitas.
posted by snuffleupagus at 4:08 PM on September 9 [5 favorites]
I'll never forget the first time I saw Star Wars, in 1977 and in a theater with a specially enhanced sound system. Darth Vader's ominous appearance, combined with his chilling voice provided by Jones, were a significant part of the experience.
Thank you, James Earl Jones, for sharing your gifts with the world.
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posted by fuse theorem at 4:09 PM on September 9 [5 favorites]
Thank you, James Earl Jones, for sharing your gifts with the world.
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posted by fuse theorem at 4:09 PM on September 9 [5 favorites]
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posted by limeonaire at 4:12 PM on September 9
posted by limeonaire at 4:12 PM on September 9
Detroit Library has posted archival photos of Jones in costume for stage roles to its Tumblr. Likely other social media as well, but Tumblr's where I saw them.
posted by humbug at 4:14 PM on September 9 [1 favorite]
posted by humbug at 4:14 PM on September 9 [1 favorite]
I loved his Admiral Greer in the various Tom Clancy movies.
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posted by inflatablekiwi at 4:17 PM on September 9 [1 favorite]
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posted by inflatablekiwi at 4:17 PM on September 9 [1 favorite]
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posted by FallibleHuman at 4:23 PM on September 9
posted by FallibleHuman at 4:23 PM on September 9
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posted by GenjiandProust at 4:27 PM on September 9
posted by GenjiandProust at 4:27 PM on September 9
If picking one of his productions is hard, Vader Sessions has you covered.
posted by myopicman at 4:30 PM on September 9 [2 favorites]
posted by myopicman at 4:30 PM on September 9 [2 favorites]
From the Hollywood Reporter obit:
posted by Rhomboid at 4:33 PM on September 9 [17 favorites]
When director George Lucas was searching for a bass voice for Darth Vader as he was casting Star Wars (1977), he reportedly considered Orson Welles but felt his voice might be too recognizable. So he called Jones’ agent and asked if the actor would like a day’s work.There's a lot of stuff in that quote that I was not aware of.
Jones got a flat fee of $7,000 for the job and did not acknowledge that he was the voice of Darth Vader until the third film in the franchise.
posted by Rhomboid at 4:33 PM on September 9 [17 favorites]
RIP Legend.
posted by Liquidwolf at 4:46 PM on September 9
posted by Liquidwolf at 4:46 PM on September 9
Meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow
posted by downtohisturtles at 4:49 PM on September 9 [4 favorites]
posted by downtohisturtles at 4:49 PM on September 9 [4 favorites]
Jones reading part of Frederick Douglass's "What to the American Slave is the 4th of July?"
What a phenomenal presence. RIP.
posted by TwoStride at 4:50 PM on September 9 [11 favorites]
What a phenomenal presence. RIP.
posted by TwoStride at 4:50 PM on September 9 [11 favorites]
Top 10 Things That Sound Cool When Spoken By James Earl Jones
posted by disconnect at 5:43 PM on September 9 [7 favorites]
posted by disconnect at 5:43 PM on September 9 [7 favorites]
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posted by Samuel Farrow at 5:43 PM on September 9
posted by Samuel Farrow at 5:43 PM on September 9
An actor I would always take the time to watch, if I could. He will be missed. My condolences to friends and family.
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posted by Ignorantsavage at 5:58 PM on September 9
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posted by Ignorantsavage at 5:58 PM on September 9
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posted by kabong the wiser at 6:07 PM on September 9
posted by kabong the wiser at 6:07 PM on September 9
If I'm remembering the story from Butterfly in the Sky (the Reading Rainbow doc) correctly, James Earl Jones showed up to his recording session and said he wasn't quite ready because he wanted to make sure he got it right and needed a bit more time. And they were all like "yes, you're James Earl Jones, take all the time you need."
So yes, Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain. He got it right.
posted by edencosmic at 6:15 PM on September 9 [8 favorites]
So yes, Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain. He got it right.
posted by edencosmic at 6:15 PM on September 9 [8 favorites]
Oh no oh no oh no. Just a titan. I was amazed at how long he continued to perform.
The other day, I was thinking about the Totes Magotes ads he did with Malcolm McDowell (mentioned above). I think I must have watched them about ten times that night. I loved that he could flip from things with such gravitas and depth to silliness like that. I am such a fan, always will be.
posted by kitten kaboodle at 6:19 PM on September 9 [1 favorite]
The other day, I was thinking about the Totes Magotes ads he did with Malcolm McDowell (mentioned above). I think I must have watched them about ten times that night. I loved that he could flip from things with such gravitas and depth to silliness like that. I am such a fan, always will be.
posted by kitten kaboodle at 6:19 PM on September 9 [1 favorite]
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Talk about the end of an era.
May be the only actor whose voice I can hear in my head without having to put it into words.
posted by jamjam at 6:24 PM on September 9 [1 favorite]
Talk about the end of an era.
May be the only actor whose voice I can hear in my head without having to put it into words.
posted by jamjam at 6:24 PM on September 9 [1 favorite]
The afterlife is going to be a bit confusing now. People won’t be sure if it’s James Earl Jones speaking, or just God.
posted by jzb at 6:35 PM on September 9 [5 favorites]
posted by jzb at 6:35 PM on September 9 [5 favorites]
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posted by jim in austin at 6:39 PM on September 9
posted by jim in austin at 6:39 PM on September 9
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It was one of his smaller parts but he was a quintessential scene stealer in Sneakers.
posted by Faintdreams at 6:43 PM on September 9
It was one of his smaller parts but he was a quintessential scene stealer in Sneakers.
posted by Faintdreams at 6:43 PM on September 9
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posted by dr_dank at 7:04 PM on September 9 [1 favorite]
posted by dr_dank at 7:04 PM on September 9 [1 favorite]
he was really enjoyable in a very quick part in Sneakers...
Sneakers: The Team's Demands
posted by kirkaracha at 7:06 PM on September 9 [2 favorites]
Sneakers: The Team's Demands
posted by kirkaracha at 7:06 PM on September 9 [2 favorites]
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posted by warriorqueen at 7:11 PM on September 9
posted by warriorqueen at 7:11 PM on September 9
"I'm going to beat you with a crowbar until you leave."
posted by Relay at 7:18 PM on September 9 [1 favorite]
posted by Relay at 7:18 PM on September 9 [1 favorite]
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posted by skye.dancer at 7:27 PM on September 9
posted by skye.dancer at 7:27 PM on September 9
I'm deeply sentimental about his "People will come" speech from Field of Dreams. He took something that could have been mawkish and gave it weight and gave a way for fans of that stupidly frustrating sport a thing to point at when asked why we like it so.
posted by drewbage1847 at 7:50 PM on September 9 [3 favorites]
posted by drewbage1847 at 7:50 PM on September 9 [3 favorites]
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posted by stormyteal at 7:52 PM on September 9
posted by stormyteal at 7:52 PM on September 9
Loved that scene in Sneakers, especially how he responded to Whistler's request: "I'll see what I can do."
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posted by Halloween Jack at 7:55 PM on September 9 [1 favorite]
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posted by Halloween Jack at 7:55 PM on September 9 [1 favorite]
Someone beat me to the Letterman Top 10. So I will add his intro to the Carnival Of The Animals sequence from the Fantasiasequel.
And something more serious - Fences.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:19 PM on September 9 [2 favorites]
And something more serious - Fences.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:19 PM on September 9 [2 favorites]
i give you Thulsa Doom in Conan the Barbarian
posted by kokaku at 8:43 PM on September 9 [5 favorites]
posted by kokaku at 8:43 PM on September 9 [5 favorites]
Thanks, kokaku. This thread wouldn't be complete without the explanation of the riddle of steel. I think we all have personal lines and characters that resonate with us, but damn, Thulsa Doom was just the coolest ever.
posted by Ghidorah at 8:59 PM on September 9 [1 favorite]
posted by Ghidorah at 8:59 PM on September 9 [1 favorite]
Top 10 Things That Sound Cool When Spoken By James Earl Jones
I can't find a video anywhere, but there was an earlier version of this from Letterman in the mid-90s...
January 5, 1994
Top Ten Words That Sound Great When Spoken By James Earl Jones
10. Mellifluous
9. Verisimiltude
8. Guppy
7. Stolichnaya
6. Boutros-Boutros Ghali
5. Neo-Synephrine
4. Pinhead
3. Mujibar and Sirajul
2. Heebie-Jeebies
1. Oprah
posted by judgement day at 9:03 PM on September 9 [5 favorites]
I can't find a video anywhere, but there was an earlier version of this from Letterman in the mid-90s...
January 5, 1994
Top Ten Words That Sound Great When Spoken By James Earl Jones
10. Mellifluous
9. Verisimiltude
8. Guppy
7. Stolichnaya
6. Boutros-Boutros Ghali
5. Neo-Synephrine
4. Pinhead
3. Mujibar and Sirajul
2. Heebie-Jeebies
1. Oprah
posted by judgement day at 9:03 PM on September 9 [5 favorites]
Thulsa Doom was just the coolest ever.
I dunno, Sandahl Bergman beat him out in terms of coolness in my young mind.
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:06 PM on September 9 [2 favorites]
I dunno, Sandahl Bergman beat him out in terms of coolness in my young mind.
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:06 PM on September 9 [2 favorites]
You heard it hit the hull, and I was never here.
posted by nat at 9:18 PM on September 9 [4 favorites]
posted by nat at 9:18 PM on September 9 [4 favorites]
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posted by dannyboybell at 9:37 PM on September 9
posted by dannyboybell at 9:37 PM on September 9
He could read the telephone directory aloud and it would be captivating.
posted by not_on_display at 10:03 PM on September 9
posted by not_on_display at 10:03 PM on September 9
My 31 year old daughter was obsessed with The Lion King and had to watch it almost daily from ages 3-5. Today she just texted me "RIP Mufasa". I teared up.
posted by alltomorrowsparties at 10:21 PM on September 9 [9 favorites]
posted by alltomorrowsparties at 10:21 PM on September 9 [9 favorites]
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posted by JohnFromGR at 10:26 PM on September 9
posted by JohnFromGR at 10:26 PM on September 9
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posted by I claim sanctuary at 10:55 PM on September 9
posted by I claim sanctuary at 10:55 PM on September 9
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For the last couple of years I’ve been watching Star Wars with my son, who’s now nine. In the animated series Rebels, Vader is a character. Physically, he’s very different from the movie version, but the creators got Jones to do the voice and the moment he speaks there’s perfect continuity between the movies and the show. Jones had presence in ways few actors had.
posted by Kattullus at 11:16 PM on September 9 [1 favorite]
For the last couple of years I’ve been watching Star Wars with my son, who’s now nine. In the animated series Rebels, Vader is a character. Physically, he’s very different from the movie version, but the creators got Jones to do the voice and the moment he speaks there’s perfect continuity between the movies and the show. Jones had presence in ways few actors had.
posted by Kattullus at 11:16 PM on September 9 [1 favorite]
I wound up chatting about his passing with someone earlier tonight after we had both noticed the news and in the course of that conversation I wound up reading the Wikipedia article about him and wow, what a life.
I had no idea he had grown up in a rural part of Manistee County, Michigan (or perhaps that's redundant. Even in 2020 there were barely 25,000 people living in the entire county) or that he had begun his acting career there.
I did remember, from my own time in Ann Arbor, that he had graduated from Michigan. I also remembered he had had a small part as one of the bomber crewmen in Dr. Strangelove but I hadn't known it was his film debut. But there was quite a lot I didn't know about his start and his early years that only increased my appreciation for the performances I remember.
He definitely seems to have lived an interesting life and made the most of his gifts.
posted by Nerd of the North at 12:42 AM on September 10 [4 favorites]
I had no idea he had grown up in a rural part of Manistee County, Michigan (or perhaps that's redundant. Even in 2020 there were barely 25,000 people living in the entire county) or that he had begun his acting career there.
I did remember, from my own time in Ann Arbor, that he had graduated from Michigan. I also remembered he had had a small part as one of the bomber crewmen in Dr. Strangelove but I hadn't known it was his film debut. But there was quite a lot I didn't know about his start and his early years that only increased my appreciation for the performances I remember.
He definitely seems to have lived an interesting life and made the most of his gifts.
posted by Nerd of the North at 12:42 AM on September 10 [4 favorites]
I dunno, Sandahl Bergman beat him out in terms of coolness in my young mind.
Sounds like the thoughts of someone who wants to live forever.
posted by Ghidorah at 1:13 AM on September 10 [2 favorites]
Sounds like the thoughts of someone who wants to live forever.
posted by Ghidorah at 1:13 AM on September 10 [2 favorites]
drewbage1847, his monologue in Field of Dreams makes the movie, bizarre directing choice to have Busfield interrupting the speech or no. There’s something to the timbre, to the rhythm of the way the phrase “dipped themselves in magic waters” comes out of him, and the waving of his hand at the cobwebs he speaks of. It’s a truly magical moment, and something we won’t be likely to have again.
Something always stuck out, though. It’s kind of jarring, considering how much the financial troubles of the working class are so much at the front and center of the film to hear him casually say “feel free to have a look around, it’s only $20 per person.” $20 in 1989 was a good deal of money, roughly $50 in today’s money. A family of four pulling up to a cornfield, looking for the answer to the voice that’s been calling to them, to the doubts and wonders they’ve had, and being told, “it’s all right here for you, but it’ll be $80, please” rings false in a way little else in the movie does.
posted by Ghidorah at 3:03 AM on September 10 [2 favorites]
Something always stuck out, though. It’s kind of jarring, considering how much the financial troubles of the working class are so much at the front and center of the film to hear him casually say “feel free to have a look around, it’s only $20 per person.” $20 in 1989 was a good deal of money, roughly $50 in today’s money. A family of four pulling up to a cornfield, looking for the answer to the voice that’s been calling to them, to the doubts and wonders they’ve had, and being told, “it’s all right here for you, but it’ll be $80, please” rings false in a way little else in the movie does.
posted by Ghidorah at 3:03 AM on September 10 [2 favorites]
We came to it through this comedy clip; originally from the 1974 movie Claudine. It's my favourite ever James Earl Jones line read.
"Your momma's going on a date. Can you dig it, a date. Like the nice restaurant, and fine music... dig that? She's going with me, she's gonna have a good time. Can you dig that?"
My wife and I say this at least once a month, and every time we go on a date. On paper, it's a ridiculous line, but JEJ, man, it's somehow both terribly menacing and terrifically sweet.
posted by Shepherd at 4:22 AM on September 10 [2 favorites]
"Your momma's going on a date. Can you dig it, a date. Like the nice restaurant, and fine music... dig that? She's going with me, she's gonna have a good time. Can you dig that?"
My wife and I say this at least once a month, and every time we go on a date. On paper, it's a ridiculous line, but JEJ, man, it's somehow both terribly menacing and terrifically sweet.
posted by Shepherd at 4:22 AM on September 10 [2 favorites]
James Earl Jones was also in Mathnet.
There's also a joke in a later season after he left the show that goes something like this:
Pat Tuesday: So what you doing this weekend, George?
George Frankly: Martha and I have tickets to see James Earl Jones. He's such a talented actor, I would pay to see him on stage reading the phone book.
Tuesday: So what is he doing?
Frankly: He's reading the phone book.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 4:26 AM on September 10 [4 favorites]
There's also a joke in a later season after he left the show that goes something like this:
Pat Tuesday: So what you doing this weekend, George?
George Frankly: Martha and I have tickets to see James Earl Jones. He's such a talented actor, I would pay to see him on stage reading the phone book.
Tuesday: So what is he doing?
Frankly: He's reading the phone book.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 4:26 AM on September 10 [4 favorites]
Oh man, I need to go contemplate this on the Tree of Woe.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 5:47 AM on September 10 [2 favorites]
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 5:47 AM on September 10 [2 favorites]
There was a reference above to him counting to ten, but here he recites the alphabet. You know what's coming next, and yet....
posted by jindc at 5:50 AM on September 10 [3 favorites]
posted by jindc at 5:50 AM on September 10 [3 favorites]
Contemplate this on the tree of woe....
God, he really elevated Conan, didn't he? It would have been a decent fantasy movie without him, but he really brought an air of dignity and menace to Thulsa Doom.
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posted by Mr. Bad Example at 6:06 AM on September 10 [4 favorites]
God, he really elevated Conan, didn't he? It would have been a decent fantasy movie without him, but he really brought an air of dignity and menace to Thulsa Doom.
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posted by Mr. Bad Example at 6:06 AM on September 10 [4 favorites]
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posted by oozy rat in a sanitary zoo at 6:22 AM on September 10
posted by oozy rat in a sanitary zoo at 6:22 AM on September 10
In Ann Arbor, his was the voice that gave us goosebumps before every game at the Big House:
Michigan Football | James Earl Jones Hype Video
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posted by peachfiber at 7:11 AM on September 10 [2 favorites]
Michigan Football | James Earl Jones Hype Video
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posted by peachfiber at 7:11 AM on September 10 [2 favorites]
Top Ten Words That Sound Great When Spoken By James Earl Jones
posted by kirkaracha at 7:17 AM on September 10 [1 favorite]
posted by kirkaracha at 7:17 AM on September 10 [1 favorite]
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My wife and I were going through the list of James Earl Jones movies we have in our collection, and the list kept going.
posted by grubi at 7:24 AM on September 10
My wife and I were going through the list of James Earl Jones movies we have in our collection, and the list kept going.
posted by grubi at 7:24 AM on September 10
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Jones was the commencement speaker at my college one year while I was an undergrad. He was spellbinding. Hard to believe someone with such a wonderful, iconic voice was mute for much of his childhood (due to a severe stutter).
posted by alyxstarr at 8:20 AM on September 10 [1 favorite]
Jones was the commencement speaker at my college one year while I was an undergrad. He was spellbinding. Hard to believe someone with such a wonderful, iconic voice was mute for much of his childhood (due to a severe stutter).
posted by alyxstarr at 8:20 AM on September 10 [1 favorite]
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posted by pangolin party at 9:11 AM on September 10
posted by pangolin party at 9:11 AM on September 10
I mean, I know empirically we all gotta go sometime but this just sucks. Thank you, JEJ, for all the things.
♥ broken
posted by Lynsey at 10:00 AM on September 10
♥ broken
posted by Lynsey at 10:00 AM on September 10
1964 film debut
Bombardier Lieutenant Lothar,
Dr Strangelove
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posted by hortense at 1:52 PM on September 10 [2 favorites]
Bombardier Lieutenant Lothar,
Dr Strangelove
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posted by hortense at 1:52 PM on September 10 [2 favorites]
Lion King animation of James finding the right voice for the role.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 1:57 PM on September 10 [2 favorites]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 1:57 PM on September 10 [2 favorites]
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posted by Joey Michaels at 3:31 PM on September 10
posted by Joey Michaels at 3:31 PM on September 10
The Empire State Building Pays Tribute to James Earl Jones With a Darth Vader Light Show
posted by jenfullmoon at 3:50 PM on September 10
posted by jenfullmoon at 3:50 PM on September 10
James Earl Jones reprising some of his more famous roles on The Simpsons, from back when it was good.
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posted by TedW at 5:17 PM on September 10 [2 favorites]
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posted by TedW at 5:17 PM on September 10 [2 favorites]
I think that was Harry Shearer doing an impression of James Earl Jones, who did appear in the very first Halloween episode as Serak the Preparer and the narrator of The Raven.
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posted by RonButNotStupid at 5:24 AM on September 11
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posted by RonButNotStupid at 5:24 AM on September 11
He was also the narrator at the end of the Lord of the Flies episode that gets resolved by, oh, let's say Moe.
posted by downtohisturtles at 10:20 AM on September 11
posted by downtohisturtles at 10:20 AM on September 11
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posted by sillygwailo at 5:42 PM on September 12
posted by sillygwailo at 5:42 PM on September 12
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posted by potrzebie at 2:33 PM on September 9