David Prowse, who played the famous Darth Vader role in the original Star Wars trilogy, passed away at the age of 85, according to his management company.
On Sunday, the management’s agent Thomas Bowington said Prowse died after a short illness.
In 2018, CNN reported that Prowse was being treated for prostate cancer.
Bowington said on Twitter, “It’s with great regret and heart-wrenching sadness for us and millions of fans around the world, to announce that our client DAVE PROWSE M.B.E. has passed away at the age of 85.”
“May the force be with him, always!” he added. “Though famous for playing many monsters — for myself, and all who knew Dave and worked with him, he was a hero in our lives.”
Playing Darth Vader, Prowse wore the black suit and helmet, but the character’s voice was of the actor James Earl Jones. That’s because Prowse’s West Country English accent was thought to be unsuitable for the character.
Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader’s son, tweeted, “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,” he added.
Born on July 1, 1935, Prowse was brought up on the Southmead housing estate in Bristol, gaining a scholarship to Bristol Grammar School.
Having a passion for bodybuilding, the actor was crowned British Weightlifting Champion several times in the 1960s.
Prowse’s 1.98 m height and broad physique helped land him roles as monsters and villains in TV shows and films.
He was also known for playing the monster in “The Horror of Frankenstein” in 1970 and a bearded torturer in “Carry on Henry” in 1971.
Prowse played Darth Vader in all three of the original Star Wars films.
He was a health and fitness enthusiast. He worked as a personal trainer for actors playing the role of Superman, including Christopher Reeve. He even wrote a book called “Fitness is Fun.”
In 2011, Prowse published an autobiography, “Straight from the Force’s Mouth.” The new originally appeared on CNN.
