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Legendary thespian James Earl Jones is set to have a historic Broadway theater named in his honor.
The Shubert Organization announced Wednesday (March 2) that it will be renaming its 110-yer-old Cort Theater to the James Earl Jones Theater, Shadow and Act reported. The move seeks to celebrate and solidify the significance of Jones' contribution to Broadway and the craft.
"The Shubert Organization is so incredibly honored to put James –– an icon in the theater community, the Black community, and the American community –– forever in Broadway's lights," Shubert CEO Robert E. Wankel said in a statement obtained by the outlet. "That James deserves to have his name immortalized on Broadway is without question."
Jones, 91, is known for his roles in films including The Lion King, Coming to America, The Great White Hope, Star Wars and many more. On the Broadway stage, Jones helped bring to life Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Gin Game, August Wilson's Fences, to name a few.
Jones is a part of the small group of EGOT entertainers, earning Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Awards. Additionally, Jones, a native of Mississippi, has received the Kennedy Center's National Medal of Arts.
The historic Cort Theater is a key piece of Jones' career path, being that it's where he got his start on Broadway over six decades ago.
"For me standing in this very building sixty-four years ago at the start of my Broadway career, it would have been inconceivable that my name would be on the building today," Jones said of the renaming. "Let my journey from then to now be an inspiration for all aspiring actors."
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