Kevin Costner Remembers “Magic” James Earl Jones In Moving Tribute

Kevin Costner is amongst the chorus of celebrities paying tribute to James Earl Jones on social media this week. Jones, who appeared alongside Costner in Field of Dreams, died on Monday at the age of 93.

“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 wrote alongside a series of stills from the 1989 baseball classic on Instagram.

“If you’ve seen it, you know that this movie wouldn’t be the same with anyone else in his role,” he continued. “Only he could bring that kind of magic to a movie about baseball and a cornfield in Iowa. I’m grateful to have been a witness to him making that magic happen. Rest in peace, friend.”

Field of Dreams stars Costner as Ray Kinsella, an Iowa farmer who hears a voice telling him to build a baseball diamond in a cornfield for the ghosts of baseball legends. Along the way Ray meets disenchanted and controversial author Terence Mann, played by Jones. The movie, which was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress in 2017, earned three Oscar nominations.

Jones and his unmistakable voice starred in more than 80 films during his lengthy career, including Star Wars, Coming to America, The Hunt for Red October, The Sandlot, and The Lion King. 

The Mississippi native died Monday morning at his home in Dutchess County, New York. His representative, Barry McPherson, confirmed the unhappy news to USA TODAY.

“He passed this morning surrounded by his loved ones,” McPherson said. “He was a great man.”