James Earl Jones is ‘feeling fantastic and grateful’ on his 90th birthday

James Earl Jones sounded in fine spirits on Sunday as he turned 90 years old.

The legendary stage and screen star said he was ‘feeling fantastic and grateful’ to join the nonagenarian club in a new interview with USA Today.

Although he has been forced to isolate amid the ongoing pandemic due to his advanced age, Jones will be returning to the screen in the sequel Coming 2 America, which he was ‘honored’ to return for.

Speaking via email, Jones joked: ‘I will keep having to remind myself that it’s my birthday.

‘I’ll make an exception and enjoy a slice of strawberry shortcake, my favorite!’ he added.

The occasion of his 90th birthday gave the Star Wars voice actor a chance to ponder his many iconic roles. 

‘Looking back at my life and extensive career, I am so proud of my work and accomplishments. I love growing older and wiser with time,’ he wrote.

Jones suggested that the coronavirus pandemic isn’t as big of a deal for someone who has seen as many crises and tragedies as he has.

‘I can say that those of us who have lived 90 years have no right to be surprised,’ he wrote.

He also said he would be praying the world was in a better place by the time he turns 91.

‘In order for us to heal and move forward, we need to learn to love and respect each other. That will be my wish when I blow out my birthday candles.’

Although his on-screen appearances have grown rarer in recent years, Jones has stayed in the public consciousness by reprising the voices of Darth Vader in Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker and Rogue One and The Lion King’s Mufasa in that film’s 2019 computer-generated remake.

‘I feel young at heart, and I love to work and will continue to act for as long as I can,’ he vowed.

As for the rest of his birthday, Jones said he plans to ‘spend the day reflecting on past years and thinking about what’s next.’

‘Or perhaps I’ll celebrate the day by watching ‘Coming to America’ again!’ he joked.

Coming 2 America director Craig Brewer recounted how his Atlanta film crew were awestruck by seeing Jones arrive on set prior to the pandemic.

‘We were very quiet and very reverential,’ he said. ‘And then (costume designer) Ruth Carter broke the ice and said, “James Earl Jones, ladies and gentlemen!” The whole crew just applauded and this smile came to his face.’

Jones wrote that he was ‘touched by their reaction.’

‘Being on set brought back the wonderful memories. And to see so many familiar faces again was pure joy.’

Coming 2 America will be released on March 5 on Amazon Prime. 

Jones was already aiming for the fences when he made his screen debut as a bombardier in Stanley Kubrick’s 1964 black-comedy masterpiece Dr. Strangelove.

While he continued to develop his film career over the following decades, the Tony-winning actor maintained a regular presence on stage as well.

He never appears on screen when playing his most famous role, Darth Vader, as it was the former bodybuilder David Prowse who wore the iconic black suit.

Jones commercial heyday came in the 1980s and ’90s, when he appeared in Conan The Barbarian (1982), Field Of Dreams (1989) and The Hunt For Red October (1990), among many other films.

On Sunday, tributes poured in from actors who had worked with Jones or been inspired by him.

His Star Wars costar Mark Hamill wished him a happy birthday while expressing surprise at learning that Jones had an early role on The Phil Silvers Show, which is often retitled Sergeant Bilko.

‘As a lifelong fan of both James Earl Jones AND Sgt. Bilko, how did I not know this?’ 

Actress-turned-director Regina King wish Jones a ‘Happy Worthday’ while sharing a quotation from him in her tribute: ‘Once you begin to explain or excuse all events on racial grounds, you begin to indulge in the perilous mythology of race.’

The Wire’s Wendell Pierce wished a happy 90th birthday to his ‘mentor and inspiration,’ calling Jones, ‘One of the greatest artist [sic] of our generation. May you be continuously blessed.’

Actress Illeana Douglas wished Jones a happy birthday while reminding her followers of his show-stealing turn in his debut Dr. Strangelove.