Hudson Valley Resident To Have Broadway Theater Named After Him

PAWLING, NY — Longtime Dutchess County resident James Earl Jones is going to have a Broadway theater named after him.

The Shubert Organization announced Wednesday that the 110-year-old Cort Theatre will become the James Earl Jones Theatre, to honor his lifetime of immense contributions to Broadway and the arts.

Robert E. Wankel, Shubert CEO and board chairman, said in a news release that it is without question that Jones deserves to have his name immortalized on Broadway.

"The Shubert Organization is so incredibly honored to put James — an icon in the theatre community, the Black community and the American community — forever in Broadway's lights," he said.

Jones, who lives in Pawling in Dutchess County, said it was inconceivable that he would have gone from being on stage at the Cort 64 years ago to having his name on the building.

"Let my journey from then to now be an inspiration for all aspiring actors," he said.

Jones has appeared in 14 Broadway productions at Shubert theaters, including two at the Cort Theatre. Most recently he appeared with Cicely Tyson in the 2015 Broadway revival of "The Gin Game" at Shubert's Jon Golden Theatre.

His Broadway career began in 1957. In 1958, Jones played his first role at the Cort in "Sunrise at Campobello."

He has starred in numerous stage and screen production, including 21 Broadway shows.

Jones is one of a small number of "EGOT" performers who have won Emmys, Grammys, Oscars and Tonys. His Tony awards include best actor in a play for "The Great White Hope" (1969) and "Fences" (1987).

His is known by people around the world as the voice of Darth Vader from "Star Wars" and Mufasa from "The Lion King."

The Cort opened in 1912 and was designed in the style of an 18th-century French palace to house productions of theater impresario John Cort. The building was sold to the Shubert brothers in 1927.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Shuberts performed extensive renovation and construction work at the Cort, including construction of a new, contemporary wing off the building's western face. The work is planned for completion in the summer.

When the building reopens for productions, Shubert officials said a formal dedication ceremony will be held.