This past week has been marked by profound loss as we said goodbye to three incredible talents who touched countless lives through their voices and performances: James Earl Jones, Pete Renaday, and Emi Shinohara. Each left a lasting legacy, whether on stage, in the world of animation, or behind the microphone. Their contributions spanned decades and genres, from Broadway to anime, and from the Disney parks to the silver screen. As we reflect on their remarkable careers, we honor the joy they brought to audiences around the world.
James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones will always be King Lear to me; I first saw him as King Lear when I was in high school in Hawaii. We watched the video from Shakespeare in the Park from New York City. I knew him from Darth Vader, but Lear touched my heart.
James Earl Jones was born January 17, 1931 and died September 9, 2024. He was 93 years old. He was an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) winning actor of both stage and screen. He is best known for his roles in Coming to America, The Lion King and as Darth Vader’s voice in the Star Wars movies. He was named as a Disney Legend in 2019.
He was born in Arkabutla Mississippi, and raised by his grandparents on a farm in Jackson, Michigan. He had a terrible stutter as a child, and a kind teacher helped him to overcome it by having him recite poetry in front of the class. This grew into a love of the theater. He graduated from the University of Michigan and joined the Army, then went on to Broadway to appear in plays like Sunrise Over Campobello (1957). He then became a member of Shakespeare in the Park in New York City, appearing in the aforementioned King Lear, Othello, Hamlet, Coriolanus and more. He then won a Tony award for his appearance as a boxer in the Broadway play The Great White Hope. He received Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations for his reprisal of the role on film. He went on to win another Tony Award for Fences in 1987 and a lifetime achievement Tony in. 2017.
Hollywood discovered him and he appeared in movies like Dr Strangelove in 1964 and of course as the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars. He appeared in many films including Field of Dreams and Coming to America and is best known among Disney fans for his portrayal of Mufasa in both of the Lion King movies. He made a groundbreaking agreement with Disney that they would be able to use his voice using modern technology after his death.
Peter Renaday
Also known as Peter Renoudet, if you love Disney, you know his voice. From Henry and Max of the Country Bear Jamboree to the scientist in Adventure Thru Inner Space to the submarine captain in the Submarine Voyage “Mister Baxter, check the air pressure!” to the Ghost Host on the Haunted Mansion storyteller album to Abraham Lincoln in the Hall of Presidents and more. His is the voice you hear announcing the Disneyland trains.
Peter also appeared as Jax’ father on the soap opera General Hospital. He was fluent in English and Spanish and I believe French too, he was from the same island where Tabasco comes from, McIlhelnny Island. He voiced the Country Bears for a Mexican ice show and hearing Henry’s Tex Mex version killed me. He was a treasure.
Peter was most famous outside of Disney for voicing Master Splinter in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon. His Disney credits include Lt. Robinson Crusoe, USN, The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band, The Million Dollar Duck, The Love Bug, The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes, The Aristocats, The Barefoot Executive, The Strongest Man in the World, The Shaggy DA, The Rescuers, The Cat from Outer Space, The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again, The Last Flight of Noah’s Ark, The. Devil and Max Devlin, The Black Cauldron, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Mulan, and non-Disney productions like Cats Don’t Dance and Shrek among many others.
In television, he was in Dallas and General Hospital among many other shows, and did voice work on TaleSpin, Darkwing Duck, GI Joe, Transformers, Iron Man, Gargoyles, Aladdin, Animaniacs and many more.
Peter passed away on September 9, 2024. Unfortunately, he was never honored as a Disney Legend during his lifetime—a fact that feels especially disheartening considering that newer figures with far fewer Disney contributions have received the title. Peter Renaday’s iconic work helped shape the Disney experience we cherish today, yet his contributions were sadly overlooked while he was still alive to receive the honor.
Emi Shinohara
Emi Shinohara was born Emi Watanabe on August 8, 1963. She died September 8, 2024. She was best known for voicing Sailor Jupiter in the original Sailor Moon and Kushina Uzumaki in Naruto Shippuden.
My favorite role of hers was as B-Ko, Lex Luthor’s daughter in the anime Project A-Ko. She was April O’Neill in Mutant Turtles: Superman Legend and appeared in over 50 different anime, including Perfect Blue, Cardcaptor Sakura and my very favorite, Space Pirate Captain Harlock. My mom made me a Captain Harlock costume when I was 12 and I used to run around the neighborhood battling the Mazone.
Shine On
James Earl Jones, Pete Renaday, and Emi Shinohara each left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment. Through their powerful performances, they brought characters to life, created lasting memories, and inspired generations of fans. While their voices have now been silenced, their legacies will continue to resonate through the work they’ve left behind. We invite you to share your own thoughts, stories, and remembrances of these remarkable talents in the comments below. Let’s celebrate the joy and inspiration they brought to so many.