University of Michigan Pays Respect To Former Alumi James Earl Jones

Tributes have been pouring in for the late actor James Earl Jones, who passed away at the age of 93.

Jones was born in Arkabutla, Mississippi, and moved with his family to their farm in Dublin, Michigan (near Manistee, three hours northwest of Detroit).

The former actor was known for his deep, smooth voice. However, he had a severe stutter growing up and didn't talk much until high school. His English teacher, Donald Crouch, at Dickson Rural Agricultural School (now Brethren High School), found he was a gifted writer and convinced him to read his poetry out loud,, giving him the confidence to go into acting later.

After graduation, he attended the University of Michigan to study pre-med, joined the Army Reserves, and eventually switched to acting.

Jones has had some pretty impressive roles throughout his career, and one of only 27 people to receive an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award). He voiced Darth Vader in the Star Wars franchise, Mufasa from The Lion King, was the voice of CNN and in countless movies and tv shows like Field of Dreams, Coming To America, Sandlot, The Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger and many others.

But throughout his career, he never forgot where he came from. His love for Michigan was always shown. Many fans remember his amazing narration for the "We Are Michigan" Hype video in Big House each year.

From Blazing Saddles to Apocalypse Now, the 70s had great movies that ran the gamut from politics to comedy, sci-fi to horror and so many other genres and subjects. And every film buff can name some movie from the 70s that has a special place in their heart. We compiled a list of SOME of the greatest actors and actresses from the 70s.

Easily my favorite actor of all time, Clint Eastwood is a legend who still churns out amazing films as a director and actor. In the 70s he became one of the first tough cop genres with Dirty Harry (1971). The 70s was filled with tough action characters and Clint played many of them in movies like Magnum Force (1973), The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) and The
Gauntlet (1977).

From the Shining to Batman, what hasn't Jack Nicholson not done? He has one 3 Academy Awards and nominated for 12. During the 1970s he acted in 16 movies with probably the most notable being One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) and China Town (1974).

HOOWAH! Al Pacino has always been an icon of "coolness" and a hard working actor. Al had so many great movies during the 70's including Godfather (1972), Godfather 2 (1975) and Serpico (1974).

THE one and only true Willy Wonka. Gene Wilder (especially combined with Mel Brooks) created comedy that borders on genius. As I previously mentioned one of which is Willy Wonka and the Chocolates Factory (1971) which is iconic forever. But he made so many that will always be in my favorites including Blazing Saddles (1974) and Young Frankenstein (1974).

While Marlon Brando's filmography goes back beyond 1970, there are a few of his films in 1970 that are pure 70's film beauty. One of which is Apocalypse Now (1979) which has Marlon Brando starring as a renegade Special forces colonel that now considers himself a god. Of course he was in The Godfather (1971) also. Come on, do your best Godfather impression right now!

For me when I think of greatest serious dramatic actors, Robert De Niro has always been on the top of my list. His intensity has always been prominently on display in all of his films. In 1976, De Niro played a disgruntled veteran who through a serious of violent events becomes an accidental vigilante in Taxi Driver (1976). Warning, this movie is SERIOUSLY intense and violent, so prepare yourself.

She was notably in Chinatown (1974) and won the Academy Award for Best Actress in Network (1976)

Her first major role was The Godfather (1972) but her following films: Sleeper (1973) and Love and Death (1975) established her as a comedic actress. She would go on to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for Annie Hall (1977).

For me Jodie Foster will always be the counter point to Hannibal Lector as Clarice Starling in Silence of the Lambs (1991), but she has a long and wonderful film career before that. A very young Jodi Foster starred along with Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver (1976) and was nominated for an Academy Award.

Princess Leia! I know she stared in so many other movies, but for me she will always be Princess Leia in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977). And with that film she become a sci-fi legend. She did, but didn't have to cement her in the hearts of so many young nerds for generations.

She is not on many top 70s actress lists and to me, that's a crime! She is just as much a comedic mastermind as Gene Wilder. Madeline's timing and beauty made her both a sex symbol and hilarious at the same time. She was a red-hot firecracker in both Blazing Saddles (1974) and Young Frankenstein (1974).

"Luke I am your father!"Gives me chills every time! James Earl Jones is one of the most dynamic and inspiring actors of our generation. He has played the voice of Darth Vader, Thulsa Doom from Conan (my favorite movie), the father of Eddie Murphy in Coming to America, and Mufasa in the Lion King, just to name a few of his amazing roles. James was nominated for an Academy Award in 1970 for his role in Great White Hope. His voice would grace the world as Darth Vader in Star Wars a New Hope in 1977.

Viewers might know Pam Grier best from her movie Jackie Brown directed by Quentin Tarantino. However, true film buffs know Pam as one of the strongest action stars of the 70s. The 70s had many blaxploitation films and Pam was at the heart of that interest with her powerful leads in s Coffy (1973) and Foxy Brown (1974). Quentin Tarantino is quoted as calling Pam the real first female action star.