How James Earl Jones 'Paved the Way' on Stage, as Told by the Actor's Contemporary from the '60s (Exclusive)

• James Earl Jones' contemporary, Reva Rubenstein, recalls to PEOPLE how much of a "commanding stage actor" Jones was during the 1960s and 1970s, despite the obstacles he faced as "a Black actor breaking into mainstream theater at the time"
• Rubenstein praises actors like Eartha Kitt and "really brave" producers in the 1950s — like Joe Papp, for supporting multiracial casting
• "I don't know how to fully encompass it," she shares. "It was very difficult for a Black actor, and yet there you are. History moves on, but you have no concept. It wasn't like it is now. Guys like James Earl Jones and Joe Papp paved the way"
  

James Earl Jones was a major player in the New York City theater scene, especially as a Black actor.

Reva Rubenstein, who was a contemporary of the late Jones' in New York City during the 1960s and 1970s, tells PEOPLE that aside from his legendary film roles, he "was really a very commanding stage actor," in a time when it was difficult to make that mark.

"You have to understand what it was like for a Black actor breaking into mainstream theater at the time," says Rubenstein, 90. "There always was, of course, theater in Harlem put on by Black directors and writers, and Black actors. But it was segregated. ... You could not break into mainstream theater; they just would not have an interracial cast. It was unheard of at the time."

Aside from Jones, Rubenstein praises actors like Eartha Kitt and "really brave" producers in the 1950s — like Joe Papp, who "not only wanted to bring Shakespeare to the people, but had a message that the left was very determined that the racial horrors that were going on needed to stop."

"So Joe Papp, in the 1950s and the 1960s, puts on multiracial people playing Shakespeare, it's a big deal. And of course it was free. It was in the park," she adds.

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One of Rubenstein's fondest memories of Jones was when he played King Claudius during a Shakespeare in the Park production of Hamlet, which she saw in 1972.

"His Claudius was very royal. I mean, you can imagine — he was a big man, the deep voice, and he was just gorgeous. All of those things," she tells PEOPLE. "It's still embedded in my memory. The scene when he's bent down in 'prayer' and Hamlet could kill him but stops because he reasons that he would be sending him to heaven."

"Then the king stands and says to himself, 'My words fly up, my thoughts remain below.' And you realize it wasn't even a good prayer and it doesn't count. God, that was such a scene," she adds.

Rubenstein praises Jones' "presence on stage," continuing, "He was so good. And he was really important, especially at the time."

"I don't know how to fully encompass it," she adds. "It was very difficult for a Black actor, and yet there you are. History moves on, but you have no concept. It wasn't like it is now. Guys like James Earl Jones and Joe Papp paved the way."

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Jones, the iconic voice actor behind legendary screen characters like Star Wars‘ Darth Vader and The Lion King‘s Mufasa, died on Monday, Sept. 9, at his home in Dutchess County, N.Y., his agent confirmed to PEOPLE. He was 93 years old.

Among those who paid tribute to Jones following his death were Colman Domingo, who uploaded a photo of a young Jones on X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, "Thank you dear James Earl Jones for everything. A master of our craft. We stand on your shoulders. Rest now. You gave us your best."

“Legendary doesn’t even begin to describe his iconic roles and impact on cinema forever. His voice and talent will be remembered always. Sending love to his family, friends and countless fans in all the galaxies, far, far away," added actor Octavia Spencer on Instagram.

Mark Hamill, who famously portrayed Luke Skywalker opposite Jones' voice work as Darth Vader, quickly shared a simple message via X with a broken heart emoji. "#RIP dad 💔," he wrote.

Hamill, 72, then shared an Instagram photo of himself embracing Jones and wrote, "One of the world’s finest actors whose contributions to Star Wars were immeasurable. He’ll be greatly missed. #RIP dad 💔."