Actor James Earl Jones To Receive 2012 Marian Anderson Award
By John Ostapkovich
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Marian Anderson Award is being given this year to one of the most famous voices in the country, if not the world.
The man paradoxically behind the voice of Darth Vader is this year being honored with the Marian Anderson Award, given to critically acclaimed artists who have had a positive impact on society.
In making the announcement today at a center city Philadelphia hotel, Mayor Michael Nutter recapped a part of the long film and TV career of actor James Earl Jones.
"He's been a brilliant presence in films such as Cry, the Beloved Country and Field of Dreams. I think everybody by now has probably figured out that this year's Marian Anderson Award winner is James Earl Jones."
Jones already has many awards, including a "Lifetime Achievement" Academy Award.
He'll get the one named for Marian Anderson -- a Philadelphia native who went on to fame as an opera singer and civil rights activist -- during a gala concert on November 19th, when the Philadelphia Orchestra might perform the "Imperial March" from Star Wars. Just a hunch.
