Who here doesn’t love the voice of James Earl Jones? Raise your hands. Okay, none. It certainly is one of the most recognizable voices in the world, whether listening to him on my King James Version reading of the New Testament on CD, seeing him as a lawyer in Picket Fences, watching on the big screen in Field of Dreams, hearing him voice Mufasa in Disney’s The Lion King, or identifying him with possibly his most famous role: the voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars series.
In 1998, I sent James Earl Jones the nice portrait seen below from Field of Dreams in the mail for him to autograph. Naturally I professed my love for the way he voiced the notorious Darth Vader. He rewarded me by not only signing the photo I sent, but sending along a nice color postcard of Darth Vader – also hand signed. Clearly Mr. Jones was not of the Dark Side.
My opportunity to actually meet James Earl Jones came in the late hours of Monday, March 29, 2010. My friend Bob and I had just enjoyed the live performance of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at the Novello Theatre in London’s West End. After the show we, we along with a crowd of about 50, patiently waited for him to come out the stage door. Before he exited, one of the theater employees came out and announced that he would be coming out and would sit in his car and gladly sign autographs, but asked that we not take any photos of him.
When he finally came out, he did just that. A line formed to the backseat of his transport and he signed away. Bob and I lingered toward the rear of the line, waiting for the show’s other celebrity to show her face. Mr. Jones was quite friendly, but when Bob had him sign two nice color photos from Field of Dreams, he questioned whether Bob had actually seen his play. Bob went through a rapid-fire explanation that he not only had seen this play and loved it, but had met him before in another play called Master Harold and the Boys in L.A. in which Jones had dropped his pants on stage. I’m sure he enjoyed being reminded of this.
Although Jones seemed pleased to chat with the fans, I didn’t have a lot to ask him at the time. Since I had already obtained a couple of choice signed photos, I didn’t bring anything along for him to sign. Bob had the extra portrait below with him, so he gave that to me to get an autograph. Jones asked what color the Sharpie was before he determined that he should sign in the margin. I told him that I really enjoyed his performance and he thanked me.
Although excruciatingly disappointed that I couldn’t obtain a picture with him, I was thrilled to meet this legendary performer. Obviously the Force was with us.
Return to Monday in London…
The celebs of London will continue…
I’m glad to see his in-person signature matches the through-the-mail signature I obtained a few decades earlier.
Bill
May 10th, 2010