David Prowse, the English actor who appeared in the original Star Wars trilogy as Darth Vader, has died at the age of 85, his agent announced early Sunday morning.
- Died: Saturday, November 28, 2020 (Who else died November 28?)
- Details of death: Died at the age of 85 following a short illness.
- We invite you to share condolences for David Prowse in our Guest Book.
The iconic movie villain
Prowse’s portrayal of the Star Wars series’ fearsome antagonist, a fallen Jedi Knight who turned to “the dark side of the Force,” brought the character to life for generations of moviegoers, science fiction fans, and children around the world. While the Vader we met onscreen was ultimately a team effort – actor James Earl Jones performed the villain’s unforgettably chilling voice, and artist Ralph McQuarrie conceived his black techno-armor – Prowse’s imposing physical presence made Vader the literal “big bad” to whom all future fantasy villains would be compared.
A colorful career
In his 20s, Prowse, a native of Bristol, became the British heavyweight weightlifting champion before turning his attention to an acting career. Through the 1960s and ’70s, he appeared in numerous films and television series including Casino Royale, A Clockwork Orange, The Horror of Frankenstein, The Benny Hill Show, Doctor Who, and more. Before Star Wars, he was perhaps best known to British audiences as “The Green Cross Code Man,” a public-service superhero character who taught schoolchildren how to cross the street safety.
Tributes to David Prowse
Full obituary: BBC News