Hudson Valley Resident Has B'way Theater Named After Him

PAWLING, NY — A Broadway theater was renamed Monday to honor longtime Dutchess County resident James Earl Jones.

The newly restored Cort Theatre on Broadway was renamed after Jones, who has appeared in 14 Broadway productions at Shubert Organization theaters, including two at the Cort.

In March, when the renaming announcement was made, Jones, who lives in Pawling, said it was inconceivable to him that he would have gone from being on stage at the Cort 64 years ago to seeing his name on the building.

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

Most recently Jones 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, and one year later, he 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).

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

The Shubert organization, which owns the Cort, said in the summer of 2020, in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, that it decided to rename the Cort Theatre once the renovation was completed after a prominent theater legend who was a black or indigenous person of color.

Robert E. Wankel, Shubert and chairman and CEO, it was fitting that the Cort's renaming be a moment in which to recognize the tremendous contribution of black and indigenous people to Broadway.

"Mr. Jones's name quickly rose to the top of the Shubert Organization's list due to his illustrious career performing in Shubert houses, his status in the Black community and his worldwide reputation as one of the most celebrated performers to ever grace the Broadway stage," he said in a news release.

During Monday's ceremony, Brian Stokes Mitchell sang "Make Them Hear You," and there were words from New York Mayor Eric Adams and actors Samuel L. Jackson and LaTanya Richardson Jackson. Jones, 91, did not attend.

The three-tier theater, located at 138 W. 48th, opened in 1912 and was built by and named for John Cort, general manager of the Northwestern Theatrical Association. Thomas Lamb was the architect.

It underwent a $47 million restoration and expansion that includes the building of a 35-foot wide and 100-foot deep adjacent space to the theater, allowing for bars and lounges on every level, new bathrooms for men and women and elevators, all in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The James Earl Jones theater is the second theater on the Great White Way named after a Black artist. The other is the August Wilson Theatre.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.