Unexpected Company: A Casual Dinner with James Earl Jones

31 years ago, after working out in my favorite Los Angeles gym, I had an unexpected encounter that still reverberates—especially now, with the passing of James Earl Jones.

Living near the gym, I regularly attended fitness classes and enjoyed the healthy meals at a facility called the Pritikin Longevity Center in Santa Monica.

In the early 90s, Pritikin was ground zero for some of the world’s most popular fitness programs designed to improve cardiovascular health.

They had a residential program where people who had been encouraged to have heart bypass surgery would spend a week or 2 on a strict health and fitness regimen intended to reverse the need for the surgery.

They would also learn how to make lifestyle changes that would help them continue to improve their cardiovascular fitness as they navigated their path forward.

I lived near the center and, lucky for me, they opened their gym for use by locals who lived in the area.

Usually after a workout, members would shower and go upstairs to a large cafeteria where gourmet chefs would prepare amazing dishes that were very tasty and very healthy.

The cafeteria was a relaxed setting with about 20 round tables, where people would casually fill the seats, sharing stories of their progress with fitness and the program.

One evening, dressed in my gym clothes like everyone else, I grabbed my dinner and found a seat at a table that was halfway full.

The lighting in the cafeteria was a little dim, and as I sat down, I noticed a familiar face across from me. It was James Earl Jones. Yes, the James Earl Jones—the iconic voice of Darth Vader among his many other accomplishments.

We exchanged casual greetings, and along with the others at the table, engaged in light conversation.

Nothing particularly monumental was discussed—some people shared their progress with the Pritikin program, while others joked about the food, comparing it to “wood chips and grass,” or shared their trials and tribulations on the treadmill.

As the evening passed, people slowly peeled away, feeling both well-fed and enriched by the camaraderie.

Like many nights at Pritikin, it was filled with good conversation, healthy food, and the shared experiences of those trying to get back on the health and fitness wagon.

Everyone connected!

But this particular meal, made memorable by the presence of the legendary James Earl Jones, stood out because of how kind, unassuming, and supportive he was toward his fellow diners.

I learned a lot that evening, and hope I carry some of that evening into every connection I make.

Thanks, James Earl Jones, for a magical evening and a lifelong lesson.