RIP David Prowse (1935 - 2020)
- by Leland Aguilar
- in Entertaiment
- — Nov 30, 2020
But the villain wouldn't have been almost as imposing if it wasn't for towering presence of actor David Prowse, the actor who was actually on set and inside Darth Vader's suit for the original Star Wars trilogy. It was Prowse who initially recorded the voice for Darth Vader, but he was replaced by Jones because he had a West Country accent.
Prowse died Saturday after a short illness, his agent Thomas Bowington said Sunday.
Not much is known of the actor's death. Hamill said the actor "loved his fans as much as they loved him". In his later years he was a familiar figure at Star Wars conventions. His role as the Sith Lord in Star Wars allowed him to create a niche for himself, that brought him worldwide fame.
Prowse was cast as the iconic Vader for his 6-foot-7 frame, but the role was voiced by James Earl Jones.
"More sad news. Dave has gone". "David, a literal giant among men, played many roles in his career".
The official Twitter account of original Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew, who died in 2019, also reacted to the news of Prowse's death.
Our thoughts go out to David Prowse's friends and family during this hard time.
Darth Vader is the role Dave Prowse is most famous for
"So sad to hear David Prowse has passed".
Prowse once claimed he was initially told that he would be seen and heard at the end of 1983's Return of the Jedi, the final film in the original Star Wars trilogy, when Vader's mask was removed.
During his weightlifting days, Mr Prowse, from Bristol, became friends with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno, who later played the Incredible Hulk.
Prowse played the famous monster in The Horror of Frankenstein in 1970, a role he would reprise in Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell in 1974.
"I'd worked in A Clockwork Orange with Stanley Kubrick and, since Stanley was such a prestigious director, this opened up all sorts of doors for me.' David Prowse, 1 July, 1935 - 28 November, 2020", the page shared.
At home, Prowse is equally well remembered for playing the "Green Cross Code" Man, a superhero created as part of a public information campaign to teach children road safety.
Still, the actor said he was most proud of playing the Green Cross Code Man, a role he first started to portray in 1975.
