Recently, the Cort Theatre on Broadway was transformed into the newly renamed James Earl Jones Theater. The veteran actor is a staple in the Black Community and has worked in a plethora of movies. From Coming to America, Star Wars, and The Lion King, to his many awards and honors like the National Medal of Arts, a Golden Globe, the Kennedy Center Honors, a Grammy, two Emmy’s and two Tony’s. He was even awarded an honorary Oscar and a special Tony for lifetime achievement. Now, the theater where he spoke his first line is being renamed in his honor!
During this ceremony fittingly held in September 2022, some of the most notable names in Hollywood were present to honor this living legend such as Samuel L. Jackson, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Suzan-Lori Parks, NaTasha Yvette Williams, Danielle Brooks, Corey Hawkins Phylicia Rashad and Woody King Jr.
Everyone gathered to pay homage to one of our own who has made history through his incredible body of work. It was evident why he has been able to remain relevant for so long; it’s because of his remarkable talent but also because he is humble enough not to get caught up in trying to be someone else or something that he isn’t.
No matter what role he plays or what project he takes part in you can always count on him to deliver an authentic performance that resonates with audiences all over the world. The audience have watched him throughout his career transform into so many different characters with ease while still managing to make each one distinctively unique.
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The most recent wave of racial injustice in 2020 propelled theater owners, union leaders, casting directors, and producers to come together and create Black Theater United. A united front centered around inclusion and access in the industry was needed, and artists like LaChanze, Audra McDonald, Wendell Pierce, Billy Porter added their energy to the mix, quickly seeing the agreement become endorsed.
The pact demanded inclusion across all new contracts; Braille audition materials for theatre-goers with visual disabilities; and for The Shubert Organization, Nederlander Organization and Jujamcyn Theaters to honour a Black artist by naming at least one theater after them – Cort Theatre, home of James Earl Jones’ immortal legacy being an example of this. With this agreement in place, fanfare is due for those who pulled off such an inspiring feat!
In addition to Shubert Organization renaming Cort Theater in honour of James Earl Jones, The Nederlander is renaming the Brooks Atkinson Theater in honour of Lena Horne, while Jujamcyn Theaters has a theater named in honour of August Wilson. To many, it is truly heartwarming to witness the renaming of this iconic theatres after such monumental figures within the Black community for all they have accomplished throughout their career.
