It has been 50 years ago, in 1975, since I had the honor of interviewing actor James Earl Jones in San Antonio, Texas at the McNay Art Institute.

This was before the days of being the Darth Vader voice of Star Wars, breaking out big time playing the role of Alex Haley in Roots, or using his skills in The Lion King for Disney.

Jones was at the McNay along with Clint Eastwood, Rosalind Russell and other celebrities for a national art conference.

My father, an Alamo City police officer, called me at the Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State) newsroom where I was studying journalism.

Dad knew the local media was not aware and that I had a goal (as Fine Arts Editor during my sophomore year) of interviewing Eastwood.

As the world mourned the passing of Jones on September 9, 2024, there is no doubt he left us as a towering figure. His unmistakable baritone voice and profound acting talent graced stages and screens for over seven decades.

In all honesty, I didn’t even know Jones or Ms. Russell would be there. They came outside together during a break in the conference to get some fresh night air. She held on to his left arm as he escorted her along a walkway.

Russell appeared frail and I later found out she died the following year with cancer complications.

But that night, in front of the McNay, Jones kept peering up and to my surprise, the first question out of my mouth was, “why do you keep looking up at the sky?”

Apparently, I interrupted his gazing. He turned to me with a wide grin and then he laughed with his baritone voice.

“Hee. Hee. Hee. I have this peculiar fascination with the stars and space. When I travel to different locations, it’s my way of taking a break,” he explained.

“Some people enjoying beaches, the oceans, lakes, deserts or mountains,” he continued smiling as he pointed up. “I like the night sky and stars.”

“I just completed a movie for television due to be released in the fall,” he explained. “This is the impetus for part of my recent expanded interest in looking up.”

The movie depicted the alleged UFO abduction of Betty and Barney Hill on September 19, 1961 in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

Upon returning from a trip into Canada, Betty was a social services worker in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She was depicted by Stella Parsons of the movie Bonnie and Clyde fame.

Barney was a postal employee in Boston. They were plagued by crippling anxiety and nightmarish visions.

The Hills sought help from Dr. Benjamin Simon. They wanted assistance to piece together the happenings of that night. They entered into therapy and independently related a most unearthly tale.

Jones graciously told me about how he started on Broadway. Some of his earliest film roles were adapted from award-winning plays, including one where he reprised his own role, bringing “The Great White Hope” from stage to screen.

At 93, Jones died at his home in Dutchess County, New York, on September 9, 2024. He was surrounded by his family. Filmmaker George Lucas described him as “an incredible actor, a most unique voice both in art and spirit.”

His death marked the silencing of one of Hollywood’s most powerful voices. His voice was evocative and emotional. He left behind a legacy that resonates across generations and genres.

For nearly half a century, he was the voice of Darth Vader. This role alone could define a career. However, it was just one facet of his extraordinary journey.

Jones’s career was a testament to dedication and an unyielding passion for his craft. He was characterized by a unique blend of quiet strength. His booming presence captivated audiences worldwide.

From his early days in theater, he mastered Shakespearean roles like Othello. Later, he worked in blockbuster films and animated classics. He consistently delivered performances that were both commanding and deeply nuanced.

His contribution to cinema, television, and Broadway earned him widespread acclaim. This distinguished him as one of the most respected and beloved actors of his time.

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