Kevin Costner Honors Late ‘Field of Dreams’ Co-Star James Earl Jones with Heartfelt Tribute
Hollywood is mourning the loss of legendary actor James Earl Jones.
Jones, renowned for his iconic voice roles as Darth Vader in the “Star Wars” saga and Mufasa in both the 1994 and 2019 versions of “The Lion King,” passed away peacefully on Monday morning at his home in Dutchess County, New York, surrounded by family. Mark Hamill, who portrayed Luke Skywalker—the son of Darth Vader in “Star Wars”—paid tribute on X (formerly Twitter), writing simply, “#RIP dad.”
Beyond his unforgettable voice work, Jones’ illustrious career spanned decades, earning him an honorary Oscar in 2012 and leaving a lasting impact across film and television. One of his memorable performances was as Terrence Mann in the 1989 film “Field of Dreams,” starring alongside Kevin Costner, Ray Liotta, and Gaby Hoffman. He also played King Jaffe Joffer in the beloved comedies “Coming to America” and its sequel “Coming 2 America,” starring Eddie Murphy.
Kevin Costner, who shared the screen with Jones in “Field of Dreams,” took to Instagram to honor the late actor. Costner praised Jones’ immense talent and kindness, expressing deep gratitude for having worked with him. “If you’ve seen it, you know this movie wouldn’t be the same with anyone else in his role. Only he could bring that kind of magic to a movie about baseball and a cornfield in Iowa,” Costner wrote. He concluded, “Rest in peace, friend.”
Rob Minkoff, director of the 1994 “Lion King” film, shared a nostalgic photo of Jones from 1993 and reflected on how fortunate he felt to work with the actor. “Just learned of the passing of the great James Earl Jones,” Minkoff said. “His portrayal of Mufasa was perfection. A powerful man and actor—gone but never forgotten. Rest in power.”
Director Barry Jenkins posted a black-and-white photo of Jones on Instagram, simply calling him, “Forever and always legendary.”
Octavia Spencer expressed her sorrow on Instagram, writing, “I’m incredibly saddened to learn of #JamesEarlJones’ passing today. Legendary doesn’t even begin to describe his iconic roles and his lasting impact on cinema.” She added, “His voice and talent will be remembered always. Sending love to his family, friends, and countless fans in all galaxies, far, far away.”
LeVar Burton, who appeared with Jones in the 1980 film “Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones,” tweeted, “There will never be another of his particular combination of graces.”
Actor Colman Domingo offered a heartfelt tribute on Instagram: “Rest. Thank you for everything. Everything. Everything. We all looked to you. Thank you, King James Earl Jones. Rest well.”
Disney CEO Bob Iger also shared a touching statement on the company’s Instagram page, celebrating Jones’ extraordinary legacy. “From the gentle wisdom of Mufasa to the menacing threat of Darth Vader, James Earl Jones gave voice to some of cinema’s most unforgettable characters,” Iger wrote. “A celebrated stage actor with nearly 200 film and television credits, his commanding presence and richness of spirit have left an indelible mark on generations. On behalf of everyone at Disney, we extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.”
