Denzel Washington pays tribute to the late actor James Earl Jones, who died this week at the age of 93.
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"He's my hero," Washington tells Variety. "My theater career in college started with 'The Emperor Jones' and 'Othello' with James Earl Jones."
Jones starred in the stage adaptation of Eugene O'Neill's play "The Emperor Jones" in 1971 and played the title role of "Othello" in Joseph Papp's New York Shakespeare Festival and later Off-Broadway production in 1964.
A master of film, television and theatre, Jones was most recognizable for his unmistakable baritone voice, which he used to portray the villain Darth Vader in the Star Wars franchise and King Mufasa in the animated classic The Lion King.
