At James Earl Jones Memorial, Denzel Washington and Whoopi Goldberg share stories

Denzel Washington called him his “North Star”. Whoopi Goldberg said: “Seeing him on stage was paradise.” Some of the most notable names in show business gathered in Times Square on Monday afternoon for a star, and sometimes emotional, sent for James Earl Jones, who died last year at the age of 93. He was known for his thunderous voice and enviable chops, as well as to be a sweet guided presence in the life of young actors.

For more than 90 minutes, at the Broadway Theater who now bears his name on West 48th Street in Manhattan, a house filled has laughed, has cried and shared many personal stories which not only painted a brilliant image of Jones, but throws it as an important figure which inspired its other actors to reach their best.

In a short speech, Denzel Washington described Jones as having a personified grace, power and dignity. Washington, who is currently playing in a Broadway renewal of “Othello”, a role that Jones had made his on Broadway more than six decades, said that he hoped to be a stage actor as Jones. “He was powerful, he was present, he was determined, he was humble,” said Washington. “He is not only the largest African-American actor; In my opinion, he is one of the greatest actors to be on a Broadway scene. ”

Actress Linda Powell recalled with Jones in a Broadway renewal of “On Golden Pond”, which opened its doors 20 years ago this week. She said Jones had pushed her to play in the role of her daughter. “It was one of the best jobs in my life, one of the best experiences in my life, and his faith in me was a gift,” she said.

Phylicia Rashad remembers having seen Jones playing when she was a young adult, then performing as a great mother to her big dad in the 2008 Broadway Renewal of “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”.