QUICK TAKES - Jan. 23, 2009

James Earl Jones, who is getting a lifetime achievement award Sunday from the Screen Actors Guild, still radiates wonder at being part of the acting profession. “What fascinates me is that every actor is given a charge, a task -- no matter what your motive was in taking the role, even if it’s just to pay the bills,” the 78-year-old performer said in an interview.

“You’re the only person who will be able to present to an audience what that character is all about. You’re the public face of all the other work that’s gone into it. Your job is to create a performance that no one else would have thought of.

“And that,” Jones summed up with a boyish grin, “is fun!”