Was truly bummed to hear the news that Darth Vader actor, David Prowse, passed away at the age of 85. James Earl Jones is given the bulk of the credit for bringing Darth Vader to life because he provided the voice but Prowse gave him his imposing stature & without that, you don’t fully get the presence that would ultimately become one of the cinemas most iconic villains.
It's with great regret and heart-wrenching sadness for us and million of fans around the world, to announce that our client DAVE PROWSE M.B.E. 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
The actor, who passed away following a short illness, donned the suit of Darth Vader in A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return Of The Jedi. Although the Bristolian was originally set to voice the iconic villain as well, famously, his Westcountry accent was deemed unsuitable, with James Earl Jones eventually voicing the role. That being said, his stature gave Vader just as much power & that simply can’t be ignored.
Prowse made his screen debut in 1967 James Bond spoof Casino Royale playing Frankenstein’s Creature, a part he would reprise in Hammer films Horror Of Frankenstein and Frankenstein And The Monster From Hell. Prowse also regularly appeared on hit series such as The Saint, Space 1999, and Doctor Who. Prowse was spotted by George Lucas in the 1971 classic Clockwork Orange, in which he played a bodyguard, Prowse was invited to audition for the roles of Darth Vader and Chewbacca for Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. He later told the BBC he chose the Sith Lord because ”you always remember the bad guys.”
