James Earl Jones is getting a tribute of a lifetime. His voice is Darth Vader from a man who used to stutter. His iconic portrayal as Jack Johnson and all the films and stage work he has done, it’s only fitting he get a house on Broadway. James Earl Jones was big deal in my house when I was growing up, he was the big star we went to see at the movies.
 The Shubert Cort Theatre on Broadway will be renamed after James Earl Jones, fulfilling a promise by the theater giant to honor a black artist in such a way.
The James Earl Jones Theatre renaming is “in recognition of Mr. Jones’ lifetime of immense contributions to Broadway and the entire artistic community,” Shubert released a statments.
The move comes less than a year after a wide Broadway coalition of theater owners, producers, union leaders, creators, and casting directors hammered out a series of reforms and commitments for the theater industry to ensure accessibility, equity, diversity, and inclusion. I hope that this is not a window dressing like giving black people a holiday.
One requirement of the new deal for Broadway is that the Shubert, Nederlander and Jujamcyn chains have at least one of their theaters named after a black artist. Jujamcyn already has the August Wilson Theatre.
“For me standing in this very building 64 years ago at the start of my Broadway career, it would have been inconceivable that my name would be on the building today,” Jones, 91, said in a statement. “Let my journey from then to now be an inspiration for all aspiring actors.”
Jones has appeared in 21 Broadway productions, including two at the Cort Theatre. He is an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony winner, including stage awards for best actor for The Great White Hope and Fences, as well as a lifetime achievement award in 2017.
The Cort Theatre at 138 W. 48th St. is 110 years old and was erected by and named for John Cort, general manager of the Northwestern Theatrical Association, who died in 1929. There are 41 Broadway theaters, two for black artists and four for women.
