“That booming voice. That quiet strength. The kindness that he radiated. So much can be said about his legacy,” wrote Kevin Costner of his Field of Dreams co-star James Earl Jones the day after the actor’s ing this week at the age of 93. With lines like Darth Vader’s “No, I am your father,” Jones’s voice resonates in the annals of cinema history as forcefully as his incandescent visage. Star Wars creator George Lucas echoed Costner’s sentiments, while also stating, “The secret to it all is he was a beautiful human being. He gave depth, sincerity and meaning to all his roles, amongst the most important being a devoted husband to the late Ceci and dad to Flynn.”

Jones is among the rare group of performers to have earned the illustrious EGOT, with two Tonys (for The Great White Hope and Fences, plus a Lifetime Achievement Award), two Emmys (for Heat Wave and Gabriel’s Fire, plus a Daytime Emmy for Summer’s End), a Grammy (Best Spoken Word for Great American Documents) and an Honorary Oscar received in 2011, over 40 years since he won that first Tony. “A master of our craft”, reflected Colman Domingo in the wake of the news, “We stand on your shoulders.” Jones has been a foundational presence for artists and audiences alike for nearly five decades, whether it’s his powerful performances on stage or that deeply resonant voice that nestles into the spirit of new generations at a young age thanks to Star Wars and The Lion King.

We take a look at what Letterboxd have been saying about the actor as they pay tribute to the legend by watching some of his most memorable work.

Claudine (1974)

Directed by John Berry
Written by Tina Pine and Lester Pine

“I love this movie with all my heart. It’s beautiful, it’s thoughtful, it’s important, it’s clever, it’s everything to me. Me and my momma watch it together and she tells me how she sees her life in it, and I just cry and laugh and watch in wonder. It’s like my window to her world and her life when she was my age, and I’m so thankful that it’s preserved in such a special movie. Rest in peace James Earl Jones, thank you for your performance here. All the actors deliver such amazing performances, with such conviction and authenticity. This movie makes me fall in love with living all over again every time I watch it. My favorite movie forever and ever and ever.” —neveah

There is also his stage performance in August Wilson’s Fences, the scene ‘You Ain’t Never Liked Me” where he delivers a powerhouse and layered performance. It’s available to watch on YouTube. Even James Earl Jones reciting the alphabet on Sesame Street was engaging. Whatever performance you would like to him for, he is always magnificent. Farewell, James Earl Jones.” —Matthew L. Brady

Field of Dreams (1989)

Written and directed by Phil Alden Robinson, from a book by W.P. Kinsella

“Phil Alden Robinson's Field of Dreams (1989) is a sentimental and wholesome film that evokes the nostalgia of an old American pastime. I love the film’s peaceful tone and calming atmosphere conveyed by its Iowa countryside, sound design and of the Kinsella family’s spacious baseball field at night. Famous for his voice roles as Darth Vader in the Star Wars franchise and Mufasa in The Lion King, James Earl Jones carries the second half of the film through his iconic deep voice and strong performance. Seeing his character, Terrence Mann, approach the spiritual cornfields with smiles and laughter, before disappearing into the corn brought tears to my eyes.” —Magzen

Conan the Barbarian (1982)

Directed by John Milius
Written by John Milius and Oliver Stone, from characters created by Robert E. Howard

“I’m not the man to say if John Milius captures Robert E. Howard’s world of sword and sorcery but it’s a stunning, sweeping, operatic piece of pulp cinema—the first iconic leading role for Arnold Schwarzenegger. Basil Poledouris’s score is heavenly. James Earl Jones is perfect as Thulsa Doom. His voice transcends celluloid and stirs something in your soul. You hang on each word he speaks. Each little look. A generational talent whose loss is felt around the world.” —Conor Jackson

Matewan (1987)

Written and directed by John Sayles

“James Earl Jones seamlessly integrates into this narrative like a vital transistor—an illuminating presence in a somber world. His portrayal, imbued with profound comion, stands as a quintessential example of his artistic prowess. His ability to seamlessly inhabit roles with such grace and profundity allowed him to embody characters who filled the entire cinematic frame, not merely their segment of it. This performance is a fitting tribute to his exceptional talent, and Matewan endures as one of the paramount films of the 1980s, a poignant reflection of the indomitable spirit of American workers standing resolutely against the avarice of corporate greed.” —Ghoulie

Star Wars franchise (1977–2019)

Directed by various
Written by various

“Firstly, pour one out for the guy, James Earl Jones. He is him, and what not. This movie—this franchise—isn’t the same without the indelible voice work of JEJ. Vader is imposing, intimidating, menacing and just took up so much space in my young mind (still does). It’s burned in my memory.” —Uriel Perez

“Charles Burnett channels his inner Elaine May in this rambunctious rom-com about an elderly Jamaican (James Earl Jones) who asks his opera-loving neighbor (Lynn Redgrave) to act as referee for when he’s periodically attacked by an unseen testicle-kicking demon named Hank; she agrees, and the result is a love story that, in the spirit of A New Leaf, also functions as an eccentric character study, made palpable by Burnett’s equally eccentric direction. Forging its own jazzy, unpredictable terrain (with actual jazz scoring the demonic attack scenes), it’s the kind of film where literally anything can happen and feels genuinely dangerous, yet the bond formed by Jones and Redgrave provides a sweet and emotional stability within the plot’s fluctuating rhythms. Their chemistry is ed by Anthony C. Winkler's sharp and funky dialogue, which allows Jones to say ‘tapioca pudding’ twice (a pleasure in itself) and finds its apotheosis in Redgrave’s acquiescing line: ‘You won’t laugh, and I can’t cry anymore—we might as well eat.’” —Jeremy N.

The Great White Hope (1970)

Directed by Martin Ritt
Written by Howard Sackler

“The news today hit me pretty hard. Darth Vader was the coolest, most intimidating thing I had ever seen as a child, and it wasn’t simply his physical appearance, it was the power behind his voice. Over the years, I became familiar with [James Earl Jones’] range, from his sincerity in The Sandlot and Field of Dreams, to his humor in Coming to America. His performance in this film manages to showcase almost every strength of his as an actor, and he earned every bit of his Oscar nomination for it. Few people have the opportunity to leave the kind of legacy that Jones has, his voice will guide from the stars for generations to come.” —Dylan Hetrick

The Sandlot (1993)

Directed by David Mickey Evans
Written by David Mickey Evans and Robert Gunter

“James Earl Jones had an aura like no one else. I haven’t seen this movie in years. Upon a rewatch, I am shocked at how little screen time he actually has. His few moments on screen had such a lasting impact on me as a kid. RIP” —Nicole Ewing

Coming to America (1988)

Directed by John Landis
Written by David Sheffield and Barry W. Blaustein

“As most of you probably know, it was announced yesterday that legendary actor James Earl Jones had died yesterday at the age of 93. Known for his iconic deep voice, Jones gave several great performances in so many amazing and iconic films. Last night, I decided to watch one of his best movies in my opinion. James Earl Jones is amazing as King Jaffe. He’s an incredibly well written character. I love how much he truly loves and cares about Akeem and makes him his top priority. I also really liked how, despite the fact that he’s having him go through an arranged marriage, he’s not an antagonist at all. He’s simply just following the tradition that’s been done for several generations. RIP James Earl Jones. You will NEVER be forgotten. May your legacy live on.” —superjackster01