DavePROWSEdead: Darth Vader actor dies aged 85 after short illness
The Star Wars acting legend, born in Bristol, played the villain in the original trilogy though the character was voiced by James Earl Jones.
Darth Vader actor Dave Prowse has died following a short illness, his agent has confirmed.
The Star Wars actor was aged 85 when he passed away.
Dave portrayed Luke Skywalker's ominous nemesis in the original trilogy Star Wars films, although the character's voice was famously provided by US actor James Earl Jones.
The Bristolian was reportedly nicknamed 'Darth Farmer' by his late Star Wars co-star Carrie Fisher, because of his strong West Country accent.
He landed the role due to his imposing physique and his history as a weightlifter.
The star described the role as the "best job I ever had" – and he was awarded an MBE for his work in promoting road safety in 2000.
Before his own success in the film industry, Prowse was welcomed into Hollywood circles after training the late Christopher Reeve for his role as Superman.
Prowse acted as the personal trainer for the spandex wearing star - who passed away in 2004.
Tributes to the actor have flooded social media with many sharing stories about their encounters with the star.
Mark Walters, who runs film news website Big Fan Boy tweeted: "I worked with Dave many times, even hung out with him outside of cons. He was always an impressive presence, great stories, there was something so majestic about him. Rest In Peace, good sir."
Film director Edgar Wright paid tribute to Prowse, describing him as the man who “stopped a whole generation of kiddies from being mown down in the street”.
He said: “As a kid Dave Prowse couldn’t be more famous to me; stalking along corridors as evil incarnate in the part of Darth Vader & stopping a whole generation of kiddies from being mown down in street as the Green Cross Code man. Rest in Peace, Bristol’s finest.”
Actor Daniel Logan, who played Boba Fett in Star Wars: Episode II Attack Of The Clones, posted a picture to Twitter with Dave Prowse, writing: “Sad to hear of the passing of a #StarWars family member. RIP Dave Prowse.
“Darth Vader wouldn’t be the same without you in the costume. We had many fun times & laughs at cons together over the years.
“Glad to have been able to call you a friend. Rest now and be one with the Force!”
American actor Carl Weathers, who played Apollo Creed in the Rocky films and appears in Disney Plus Star Wars series The Mandalorian, paid tribute on Twitter: “RIP David Prowse. That stature contributed so much to Darth Vader’s legend. #BePeace.”
The full story can be found on the mirror website https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/breaking-dave-prowse-dead-darth-23086254
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