As the entertainment world continues to mourn the death of legendary actor James Earl Jones, we are learning more about his ties to upstate New York.

Jones was a resident of Pawling, which is in Dutchess County.

He often helped local aspiring playwriters, volunteering with the Bardavon's Young Playwrites Festival from 1995 to 1997.

Executive Director Chris Silva says that Jones helped kids find a love for theater.

And see their work realized by an iconic voice in media. 

“So for the kids, it was just incredibly empowering in terms of recognizing the power of their own words, and when an actor says any line, especially someone like James Earl Jones, you know it kind of blows your mind,” Silva said. 

Jones died Monday at the age of 93. Star Wars icons, Denzel Washington, Bob Iger and others mourned his death.