Ways to Honor James Earl Jones

It’s hard to imagine Darth Vader without James Earl Jones’ voice, but at one point in Jones’ life, the simple act of speaking aloud was an overwhelming task. James Earl Jones was mute as a child due to a stuttering problem; he credits reading as the turning point that helped him find his voice. With a mile-long list of credits that include ‘Star Wars,’ ‘The Lion King’ and CNN, it’s safe to say that James Earl Jones ended that chapter of his life and has never turned back.

James Earl Jones is set to receive a lifetime achievement award at January’s Screen Actors Guild awards. According to the Washington Post, SAG president Alan Rosenberg says that James Earl Jones is “a vocal presence without peer… [Jones’] long and quiet devotion to advancing literacy, the arts and humanities on a national and local scale deserves our appreciation.” To honor this distinction, we’ve amassed a collection of tributes worthy of any James Earl Jones or Darth Vader fan.

Some of these items are handmade miniatures, while others are bronzed behemoths. All honor Darth Vader and, by extension, James Earl Jones.