Field of Dreams brought magic to the big screen, and James Earl Jones’ performance opposite Kevin Costner was an essential ingredient.
In a tribute to Jones, who died on Monday, Sept. 9 at the age of 93, Costner recalled acting alongside Jones’ magical presence in the 1989 baseball classic.
“That booming voice. That quiet strength. The kindness that he radiated. So much can be said about his legacy, so I’ll just say how thankful I am that part of it includes Field of Dreams,” Costner, 69, wrote alongside a slideshow of stills from the film.
“If you’ve seen it, you know that this movie wouldn’t be the same with anyone else in his role. Only he could bring that kind of magic to a movie about baseball and a corn field in Iowa. I’m grateful to have been a witness to him making that magic happen,” Costner continued. “Rest in peace, friend.”
Field of Dreams stars Coster as Ray Kinsella, an Iowa farmer who sees visions that inspire him to build a baseball diamond in a cornfield. During his pursuit, Ray is inspired to meet Terence Mann, the disenchanted author played by Jones. Based on W.P. Kinsella’s novella Shoeless Joe, the movie was a box office hit and earned three Oscar nominations. It joined the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry in 2017.
One of the film’s turning points comes when Jones delivers a famous monologue about the importance of baseball, leading up to the film’s famous line.
James Earl Jones in 2014.
Jesse Dittmar for The Washington Post/Getty
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“America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It’s been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But baseball has marked the time,” Jones’ Terence says. “This field, this game … it’s a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and it could be again. Oh, people will come, Ray. People will most definitely come.”
Jones starred in countless classic movies, including another hit baseball movie, 1993’s The Sandlot. He was also the voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars movies and Mufasa in Disney’s The Lion King. Jones was a member of the EGOT Club, having received an honorary Oscar, three Tony Awards, a Grammy Award and three Emmy Awards.
Jones died at his home in Dutchess County, New York, his agent told PEOPLE. He is survived by his son Flynn Earl Jones. His wife Cecilia Hart died in October 2016.
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