The world lost an icon on both the small and big screen on Monday. James Earl Jones passed away at the age of 93. Star Wars fans remember him as the voice of the evil Darth Vader, but he was also fondly remembered for many other roles throughout his storied career.
Here are his top five that did not take place in the Star Wars galaxy.
5. Norman Royster - Frasier Season 4 "Roz's Krantz & Gouldenstein Are Dead"
Although only on screen for a short time in the Season 4 episode of Frasier, Jones's portrayal of a blind man who keeps a mask of his wife to remember her by leaves an impact on anyone who sees it. His humor and chemistry with Kelsey Kramer are also remarkable.
4. Mr. Mertle - The Sandlot
Jones's turn as a blind man who befriends the kids on the baseball field in the 1993 film The Sandlot is as humorous as it is touching. His smile in the movie can light up a room. He reprised the role in the 2005 sequel, The Sandlot 2.
3. President Douglas Dilman - The Man
Jones was the first actor to portray an African American President on screen in the 1972 film The Man (though it can be argued the 1933 satire Rufus Jones for President could be considered the first). Jones' portrayal of a man trying to navigate the situation and stress he is under is admirable and foreshadows the election of Barack Obama 36 years later.
2. Mufasa - The Lion King
There was no better choice for the king of the jungle and the mentor to a young Simba than Mufasa in 1995's The Lion King. Jones' powerful voice and monologues are the perfect balance in the film's first part. It's a testament that Jones was the only actor asked to reprise the voice role in the live-action remake in 2019.
1. Terrance Mann - Field of Dreams
Outside of "No, I am your father," the incredible actor will be most fondly remembered for his turn as the author turned baseball enthusiast in the classic 1989 film Field of Dreams. Arguably, this is his crowning achievement during his long career and could be the final speech about the innocence and joy of our national pastime.