‘Star Wars’ Darth Vader Actor David Prowse Dies Aged 85 – .

Dave Prowse, the former British bodybuilder best known for playing Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy, has died at the age of 85, his manager has confirmed.

“It is with great regret and heartbreaking sadness for us and millions of fans around the world to announce that our customer DAVE PROWSE MBE has passed away at the age of 85,” tweeted Bowington Management.

With great regret and heartbreaking sadness for us and millions of fans around the world, it is to announce that our customer DAVE PROWSE MBE has passed away at the age of 85. #DaveProwse @starwars #DarthVader #GreenCrossCodeMan #iconic #actor #bodybuilder #MBE pic.twitter.com/dL2RmdIqg8

– Bowington Management (@BowingtonM) November 29, 2020

Prowse was cast as the legendary Vader for his imposing 6’6 frame, but the role was voiced by James Earl Jones.

Prowse made his film debut in 1967. James Bond played Casino Royale with Frankenstein’s Creature, a role he would repeat in the hammer movies Horror Of Frankenstein and Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell.

He also appeared regularly on hit series such as The Saint, Space 1999 and Doctor Who.

Prowse was discovered by George Lucas in 1971 in the classic Clockwork Orange, in which he played a bodyguard. He was invited to audition for the roles of Darth Vader and Chewbacca in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. He later told the BBC that he chose the Sith Lord because “the wicked are always remembered”.

The actor-turned-weightlifter is said to have been most proud to play the Green Cross Code Man, a role promoting road safety in the UK that earned him an MBE.

Prowse grew up in Bristol and later lived in Croydon, London.

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