Rest in peace, David Prowse! Darth Vader actor dies at age of 85
It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the death of Darth Vader actor David Prowse. He was 85.
Sad news regarding the man inside the Darth Vader suit, David Prowse. The former bodybuilder and retired actor has died at the age of 85, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The news is still fresh and is incredibly sad for fans of Star Wars who were there from the very beginning when Prowse walked into his first scene with the late Carrie Fisher and the late Peter Cushing as the menacing Darth Vader in 1977’s Star Wars, which would later be renamed, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.
Outside of the original Star Wars trilogy, Prowse, known to all as Dave, started in a handful of projects before and after the film that would make him a household name. Examples of his work include the 1970 movie The Horror of Frankenstein and the 1971 Stanley Kubrick film, A Clockwork Orange.
Prowse retired from life in the spotlight in 2017 due to failing health at the insistence of his family. With this announcement, he also retired from attending fan events.
A flood of people have paid tribute to Prowse on social media, including The Mandalorian star Carl Weathers (who plays Greef Karga in the series). The actor posted this to Twitter:
RIP David Prowse. That stature contributed so much to Darth Vader’s legend. #BePeace https://t.co/0YWlZVolRV
— Carl Weathers (@TheCarlWeathers) November 29, 2020
And elsewhere on Twitter, the support for Prowse and his legacy began pouring in from people all over who admired his work — especially for his acting as the fearsome Darth Vader.
More sad news. Dave has gone. I don’t think 3PO ever faced Vader’s mighty presence on set, other than as a bag of bits on Chewie’s shoulders in the carbon freezer. But Dave’s iconic figure dominated the finished film in '77 and has done so ever since. And will continue to do so.
— Anthony Daniels (@ADaniels3PO) November 29, 2020
It was so fun watching the videos of him acting out the lines on set before James Earl Jones dubbed over. RIP David Prowse 🙏🙏 https://t.co/pNdgOmDa8Z pic.twitter.com/xEiYZ9R2g0
— Jihad Shatara 🇵🇸🇲🇽 (@JShataraTV) November 29, 2020
Stop, Look, Listen.
— Mike Ling (@MikeLingPilot) November 29, 2020
RIP David Prowse AKA The Green Cross Code Man and #DarthVader pic.twitter.com/IF2NCf2oZe
Prowse is survived by his wife, Norma, and three children. He died after a short illness. On behalf of Star Wars fans around the world, we send our condolences to his family. He will always be one half of the duo that bought Darth Vader to the screen in the original trilogy. Rest in peace, Mr. Prowse. May the Force be with You.