Sad, sad news for Star Wars fan. The great Dave Prowse, who played one of the most iconic characters in sci-fi, Darth Vader, passes away at age 85 during the weekends.
“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 MBE has passed away at the age of 85,” said Thomas Bowington, Dave’s agent.
His fellow co-stars have expressed their sadness of his passing. Mark Hamill, Prowse’s on-screen Star Wars son, tweeted his condolences Sunday. “He was a kind man & much more than Darth Vader,” who “loved his fans as much as they loved him.”
So sad to hear David Prowse has passed. He was a kind man & much more than Darth Vader. Actor-Husband-Father-Member of the Order of the British Empire-3 time British Weightlifting Champion & Safety Icon the Green Cross Code Man. He loved his fans as much as they loved him. #RIP pic.twitter.com/VbDrGu6iBz
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) November 29, 2020
Star Wars fans also expressed their grief over the actor who played one of their most favourite villains of all times
R.I.P The man that immortalized the best villain of all times Darth Vader – David Prowse. May the Force be with you🙏🌹😔😢 pic.twitter.com/rMZyWOK9Mq
— Dark Jedi Lady (@JedyLady) November 30, 2020
#RIPDavidProwse
My heart hurts but thank you for being a major part of my childhood as Darth Vader.
May the force be with you. pic.twitter.com/hKGQymzQvG— ray🔞 (@JediMasterRay_) November 29, 2020
Dave Prowse played Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy. However, James Earl Jones was the one who voiced Darth Vader in post-production. Dave’s only speaking line as Darth Vader is during the character’s final moments in Return of the Jedi. Still, Dave played an important part in bringing the character to life.
Before he became an actor, Prowse was a champion bodybuilder in the UK in the 1960s. His biggest role prior to Darth Vader was as the Green Cross Code Man, a hero who promoted street-crossing safety to children in a government public service campaign. Prowse called the Code Man gig “the best job I’ve ever had, including my Star Wars role, and by far my proudest achievement.”
Prowse will definitely be best remembered for playing the man behind the mask in Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return Of The Jedi (1983). In his later years he was a familiar figure at Star Wars conventions. His memoir Straight From The Force’s Mouth was published in 2011. The story of his life was told in a 2015 documentary titled “I Am Your Father.”
Rest in peace David “Dave” Prowse. Thank you for making our childhood awesome and may the force be with you.
