As James Earl Jones passes at 93, Mark Hamill honors his Star Wars co-star with a touching two-word tribute.

Mark Hamill has often affectionately called James Earl Jones ‘dad’ in numerous social media posts, especially when sending birthday wishes.

He has extended this term of endearment to other actors who have played a role in bringing Darth Vader to life, such as David Prowse, who portrayed the physical form of the character, Sebastian Shaw, who appeared unmasked, stunt double Bob Anderson, and younger versions of the character portrayed by Jake Lloyd and Hayden Christensen.

For countless fans, this particular tribute has resonated deeply, as one beloved childhood icon honors another.

It is a bittersweet reminder of the passage of time, as the stars who once lit up our past slowly fade away.

While he is most famous as the voice of Darth Vader, James Earl Jones also appeared in memorable films such as Field of Dreams, Coming to America, and Conan the Barbarian.

In more recent years, he delighted fans of The Big Bang Theory with a guest appearance as himself, where he playfully acknowledged his legacy and even pranked Carrie Fisher, who portrayed Princess Leia.

Hamill also made an appearance on the show, officiating a wedding between two main characters.

As news of James Earl Jones’ death broke last night, many are waking up to the sorrowful announcement, and we can expect to see numerous tributes pour in for a man who shared his extraordinary talents with the world.