In memory of the late James Earl Jones – a legendary actor and my dear friend

Farewell to an acting “lion”

James Earl Jones, 93, voice of CNN, Darth Vader, Chrysler – star of television, film, stage, my great friend – he came to my house, to my parties. I loved him.

His son Flynn was Dad's right-hand man backstage. When Jimmy appeared on Broadway in “You Can't Take It With You,” he met me in shorts. Then he got dressed. Then he walked with me until he heard his cue – and then strutted onstage.

Between his performances on stage, behind the curtain, in the middle of the usual backstage hustle and bustle. The very thoughtful crew had prepared a sofa and a table for him to sit down on. I sat with him.

He read Lincoln's 1858 manuscript at Christmas, dined with the Trumans, the Drama League honored him at the Pierre. We met through our good friend, the lawyer Barry Slotnick. He kept saying, “I don't work for free.”

Jimmy's first big paycheck went to his late wife Cece's wedding ring. They loved each other very much. He would laugh when she would say, “I'm the boss now. He'll never have enough money left to buy anyone another wedding ring.”

He laughed when I regularly peed on Verizon. In recent years, the former Bell Atlantic spokesman avoided the phone because he couldn't hear well.

They lived in the north of the state, but kept a city apartment for the times when he was playing on the wicked stage.

After a speech at Yankee Stadium, he ordered takeout dinner. And when he played the elderly man in On Golden Pond, he sat backstage and discussed the real problems of aging.

Life is about to break up my old gang.

They just don't mean it seriously

SORRY – but speaking of age, can't we stop acting like primates in the jungle, running around naked? Half-dressed? Bare feet, flashing breasts, tight skirts that accentuate the crack of the butt, open skirts that barely conceal other cracks? Exposed breasts on the sidewalk? Bipedal animals running half-naked in shorts and a bra through the streets of New York?

Sewing incorrectly

Did you know that our precious American flags are not made of silk? They are made of cotton, nylon or polyester – just like a person's underpants. Did you know that the majority of the American banners to which we loyal patriots pledge allegiance – and in countless cases pledge our lives – are largely, primarily, almost exclusively made in China?

This is the case for the majority.

Did you know that the woven silk fabric of Washington's personal flag – his standard – probably came to the American colonies from England or France? Perhaps even from China?

I thank the staff of WABC-AM radio for this information.

Stage fighting

Brooke Shields, President of Actor' Equity: “My priority is funding. I'm in Washington this Thursday. Meeting with the Press Club. People have to make a living. I'm going to work to support the performing arts tax parity bill. It's kind of lost.”

Life is so wonderful today – and so are the children. A 10-year-old on Long Island recited “Mary had a little lamb…” and her friend said, “Yes, but Gloria had a daughter.”

Only in New York, kids, only in New York.