James Earl Jones Remembered by the Broadway Community: 'The Greatest of the Greats' (Exclusive)

James Earl Jones made an irreversible impact on the theater industry. And in the wake of his death, members of the Broadway community are sharing their memories with PEOPLE.

The actor – who died at his home in Dutchess County, New York on Monday, September 9 at the age of 93 – began his nearly seven-decade career on stage playing Othello at the Ramsdell Theater in Manistee, Michigan back in 1957. .

Later that year, in October, Jones made his Broadway debut understudying Lloyd Richards in Molly Kazan. Egghead. The roles kept coming from there, with Jones receiving 20 additional Broadway credits and three Tony Awards, including two competitive wins for Best Actor (for the 1969 Great white hope and in 1987 Fences).

He was also a mainstay in the Public Theater’s burgeoning Shakespeare in the Park program during the 60s and early 70s, playing Othello and King Lear and appearing in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Richard III, Romeo and Juliet, Venetian merchant, Coriolanus, Hamlet, A winter story, Troilus and Cressida, Macbeth and Henrik V.

His last role was in the 2015 renovation Gin gameopposite the late Cicely Tyson.

James Earl Jones (left) as Claudius opposite Colleen Dewhurst in Joseph Papp’s 1972 New York Shakespeare Festival production of Hamlet.

Jack Mitchell/Getty

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The year before that, Jones starred in a revival of George S. Kaufman and Moss HartYou can’t take it with you. Among the many in the ensemble was Annaleigh Ashford, who remembers Jones as “one of the greatest of the greats”.

“He was an example of what we should all aspire to be as artists and people,” the actress, who won a Tony Award for her performance in the play, tells PEOPLE. “James Earl showed up to rehearsal outside the rules, was the first person in the theater and the last to leave, always working to make tomorrow’s performance even better than today’s, and made the person in the play with the fewest lines feel just as important and loved as the person with the most lines.”

“We are so fortunate to have him grace the stage and screen to teach us through his art and his heart,” she says. “Oh, how I will miss that smile, those eyes and that voice. His soul lives on through the magic of the characters he blessed us with.”

Annaleigh Ashford and James Earl Jones at the ‘You Can’t Take It With You’ press preview in July 2014.

Walter McBride/Getty

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Another standout performance by Jones came in the 2012 rebuild Gore Vidal’s best manin which he starred alongside Tony winner John Larroquette, five-time Emmy winner Candice Bergen and Tony nominee Kerry Butler.

“I had the honor of sharing the Broadway stage with Mr. James Earl Jones for 9 months,” Larroquette, 76, tells PEOPLE. “Every night with him was a blessing to my life. His monumental talent was matched by his humanity and humility. My sincere and heartfelt condolences to his family and all who loved him. I feel safe to say that each of us .”

Bergan, 78, tells PEOPLE that Jones was “an innately elegant, graceful and gifted man.”

“It was an honor to work with him,” she says.

Michael McKean, Candice Bergen, Angela Lansbury, John Larroquette, James Earl Jones and Eric McCormack at a photo call for ‘Gore Vidal’s The Best Man’ in February 2012.

Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic

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Butler, 53, called working with Jones “the highlight of my life.”

“He was amazing to work with. Constantly trying to get deeper into the character,” she tells PEOPLE. “The work was never done. Our scenes were always different. Really kept you on your toes.”

“But more than that, he was kind, down to earth and so much fun!” – says Butler, sharing a sweet story about the legendary actor. “On Easter, I organized an Easter egg hunt in the theater! I asked him to dress up as an Easter bunny. So he wore bunny ears and a little tail and shouted in his deep voice ‘Let the hunt begin!’ He was ready for anything. He brought so much light to everyone backstage and to everyone in the audience.”

Kerry Butler, Eric McCormack, James Earl Jones and John Larroquette at the premiere of ‘Gore Vidal’s The Best Man’ in April 2012.

Cindy Ord/Getty

Other memories of Jones shared with PEOPLE by his former castmates on stage included a message from Terrence Howard, Jones’ co-star in the 2008 revival. Cat on a hot tin roof.

“It is with deep sadness that I confirm the passing of my beloved mentor, James Earl Jones,” Howard wrote in a statement to PEOPLE. “He was not only my father on stage Cat on a hot tin roof, but a father figure to countless individuals through the profound roles he played throughout his life.”

“James touched so many hearts with his incredible talent, powerful presence and unforgettable voice,” Howard continues. “Although physically no longer with us, his spirit remains eternal, immortalized through a rich legacy of performances that continue to inspire and move us.”

Tell Howard, “One of the most beautiful aspects of being an actor is being able to look back and remember the timeless art we leave behind. James gave the world a gift, and we will forever feel his presence when we hear his voice and see his work. His grace, wisdom and generosity will live on in everyone I had the honor of knowing him, working with him and loving him.

“Rest in peace, James,” adds Howard. – You will always be here with all of us.

Terrence Howard and James Earl Jones in the 2008 Broadway revival of Tennessee Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

Joan Marcus / John Springer Collection / Getty

Anika Noni Rose, who was also in Cat on a hot tin roof with Jones, also shared a statement with media obtained by PEOPLE.

“Mr. Jones, how did you like what we were doing,” writes the 52-year-old Tony winner. “You came to the theater several hours early to study your script every day. This legend, who never stopped working and learning. And you were always happy to welcome me in to talk to you and sit in your light.”

“I remember marveling at the fact that you found some new, fun thing every day we got on stage,” she says. “You were never tired of this job… You gave so much. Your hugs. Your laugh! I remember the scene in Cat on a hot tin roof where I looked at you from the floor and felt such a palpable energy radiating from you and through us.”

He concludes: “What a gift it was to be there on that stage, creating, living, loving with you. You were and are a titan. You will always be my big daddy. I am so grateful to have loved and been loved by you. I will miss you what you shape our world.”

James Earl Jones, Phylicia Rashad, Anika Noni Rose and others star in a scene from the 2008 Broadway revival of Tennessee Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

Joan Marcus / John Springer Collection / Getty

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The last memory of Jones came from Tony winner Courtney B. Vance, who worked with the actor in August Wilson’s Fences.

“James Earl Jones was an extraordinary actor, father, husband and man,” says Vance, 64. “He lived his life unapologetically and gave his whole heart to all of us. We had the opportunity to witness the master at work on stage and on film.”

“But privately, I was honored to know ‘Jimmy’ as a kind, funny, charismatic, loving human being. My gift to him was that whenever I was in New York, I took the time to visit and sit down with him,” says Vance. .” I planned to see him in a few weeks on my next trip to town, but God had other plans for Jimmy. And now, he floats among the angels forever.”

“I will always love him for the gift he was to me and my family,” Vance writes. “Rest in peace, gentle giant.”

James Earl Jones and Courtney B. Vance pose backstage at ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ on Broadway in January 2011.

Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic

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The Broadway community will likely pay tribute to Jones in the coming weeks, with the traditional dimming of the canopy lights.

In 2022, the actor had a Broadway theater named after him, becoming the second black theater personality (after Wilson) to receive the honor.

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Source: HIS Education