James Earl Jones Memorial
Denzel Washington called him his “northern star.” Whoopi Goldberg said seeing him onstage was “heaven.” On Monday afternoon, some of the biggest names in entertainment gathered in Times Square to honor the life and legacy of James Earl Jones, who passed away last year at the age of 93. He was celebrated for his commanding voice, masterful acting, and the quiet strength he shared with those around him.
The tribute took place at the Broadway theater on West 48th Street that now bears his name. For more than 90 minutes, a packed audience laughed, cried, and shared heartfelt stories that captured Jones not only as a legendary performer but as a guiding force and mentor for generations of actors.
Denzel Washington, currently starring in a Broadway revival of Othello, a role Jones had famously performed, described him as a symbol of grace, power, and humility. “He is not only the greatest African American actor,” Washington said, “in my opinion, he is one of the greatest actors ever to be on a Broadway stage.”
Linda Powell recalled working with Jones in On Golden Pond, which opened 20 years ago. She shared that Jones personally pushed for her to be cast as his daughter in the play, calling it one of the best experiences of her life and a gift she would always treasure.
Actress Phylicia Rashad reflected on seeing Jones perform when she was a young adult, and later playing opposite him in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in 2008. Their shared scenes as Big Mama and Big Daddy left a lasting impact on her as both an artist and peer.
Other notable attendees, including Frankie Faison, Candice Bergen, Glynn Turman, and Kelsey Grammer, echoed similar memories of Jones’s kindness and support. Laurence Fishburne and Mark Hamill also sent in video tributes to express their admiration and gratitude.
Whoopi Goldberg, who worked with Jones on The Lion King, praised his unwavering excellence, saying he never gave a “bad” performance. “When you think about Broadway,” she said, “when you think about Black men doing extraordinary things, you think about him.”
Family members, including first cousins Terry Connolly and Tracy Connley Johnson, recalled Jones’s deep influence on their lives. They shared how he introduced them to poetry, Black literature, and even lent a hand in building homes for family members.
His son, Flynn Earl Jones, offered brief remarks during the memorial but spoke more extensively in an earlier interview. He described his father as “frustratingly humble,” noting how difficult it was to get him to fully accept praise or recognition.
“People think of him as a king, a president, a leader, a father to the world,” Flynn said. “But really, he was just one of the simplest, humblest, smartest, most curious guys you’d ever meet.”
