‘May the force be with him, always’: British Darth Vader actor David Prowse who played Luke Skywalker’s father in original Star Wars trilogy dies aged 85 after a short illness
The British actor who played Darth Vader in the original Star Wars triology has died aged 85 after a short illness.
Dave Prowse, a former bodybuilder who was best known for playing the iconic supervillain in the original three George Lucas movies
The 6ft 6in actor, from Bristol, was cast as Vader for his physique, even though the role was voiced by James Earl Jones.
But the bodybuilder-turned-actor was most proud of playing the Green Cross Code Man. Apprearing in television adverts to warn children children about the dangouers of crossing rhe road. The role earned him an MBE.
Luke, I am your father: Inonic moment Darth Vader reveals his true identity to his son Luke Skywalker in Empire Srikes Back, the second movie in the Star Wars triology – 1980
The man behind the mask: David Prowse
Prowse’s agent Thomas Bowington told the BBC ”may the force be with him, always’.
‘Though famous for playing many monsters – for myself, and all who knew Dave and worked with him, he was a hero in our lives.’
Mr Bowington called the actor’s death ‘a truly and deeply heart-wrenching loss for us and millions of fans all over the world’
Prowse acting career lasted 50 years, but it was his role as the Sith Lord in Star Wars that brought him international fame, despite his West Country accent being deemed not suitable for the voice of the Sith Lord.
But it was through his bodybulding that he becomes friends with Hollywood giants Arnold Schwarzenegger and original Incredible Hulk star Lou Ferrigno.
Prowse represented England at the Commonwealth Games in the early 1960s.
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