Hollywood Reacts to James Earl Jones Death: Mark Hamill, Octavia Spencer

Mark Hamill, Octavia Spencer and Colman Domingo were among the first Hollywood voices to pay tribute to James Earl Jones following news of his death on Monday.

Jones died at his home in New York on Monday. He was 93. His career spanned half a century of film, including Dr. Strangelove, Field of Dreams, Star Wars and The Lion King. He won an honorary Oscar at the 2011 Governors Awards.

Jones was also a celebrated stage actor, and earned two Tony Awards for his work in 1968’s Great White Hope and 1986’s Fences.

He won two Emmys, both in 1991, for his performances in Gabriel’s Fire and Heat Wave. He also won a Grammy in 1977 for best spoken word recording.

Hamill, who played the Luke Skywalker, son of Jones’ Darth Vader in Star Wars, was one of the first to react, writing on social media, “#RIP dad.”

On Instagram, Spencer wrote that Jones’ “voice and talent will be remembered always” and that “legendary doesn’t even begin to describe his iconic roles and impact on cinema forever.”

Domingo added to the tributes with a note that Jones was “a master of our craft. We stand on your shoulders. Rest now. You gave us your best.”

On television, Jones was also known as “the voice of CNN,” with his famous words “this is CNN” heard in households across the country.

“We are deeply saddened to hear of James’s passing,” a CNN spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter on Monday. “He was the voice of CNN and our brand for many decades, uniquely conveying through speech instant authority, grace, and decorum. That remarkable voice is just one of many things the world will miss about James. Our thoughts are with his family.”

LeVar Burton wrote that “there will never be another” of Jones’ “particular combination of graces,” and director Barry Jenkins shared a photo of young Jones with the caption, “forever and always.”

Actress Lydia Cornell wrote on social media “I can’t believe it!! I thought we had going to live forever.” Cornell worked in Jones in her debut film, 1982’s Bloodtide. “Rest in peace,” she wrote.

Crystal Kung Minkoff, wife of The Lion King co-director Rob Minkoff, wrote that Jones “made a young animator’s dream come true when you accepted the role of Mufasa. Thank you for all you have done for Rob. Your memory will live on.”

Director Paul Feig wrote that “James Earl Jones will never die” as “his talent, work and influence will be with us always.”

On her Instagram story, Ava DuVernay wrote, “Thank you for showing us ourselves. Our complicated selves, our dignified selves, our smiles our pain. A job well done. A gift beautifully shared. Bless you as you journey on”

Garcelle Beauvais wrote on social media: “Words cannot express how sad this makes me! thank you for gracing us with your talent and your spirit! It was a pleasure to work and know you.”