James Earl Jones was a towering example of nailing a role until it stayed nailed. His performances, especially in Othello and Fences, set an aspirational high bar for actors.
When I took on the role of Othello in 2009, I was aware of the responsibility. I wanted to get it right and consulted many previous versions.
The main version that rocked my world was James Earl Jones's. Oh my God. That voice, that gravitas, that passion. His sense of when to be quiet and when to scream to the heavens.
In particular, the scene in which his son asks, 'How come you ain't never liked me?' is delivered with un-tender and humiliating thunder, showcasing his incredible talent.
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