David Prowse, the original Darth Vader, dies aged 85
By Angela Dewan and Samantha Beech, CNN 3 hrs ago
British actor David Prowse, who played Darth Vader in the original "Star Wars" trilogy, has died aged 85, his management company announced Sunday.
© THIERRY ZOCCOLAN/AFP/Getty Images
English actor David Prowse (L), who played the character of Darth Vader (Dark Vador in French) in the first Star Wars trilogy poses with a fan dressed up in a Darth Vader costume during a Star Wars convention on April 27, 2013 in Cusset.
Prowse died after a short illness, according to his agent Thomas Bowington. CNN reported in 2018 that Prowse was being treated for prostate cancer.
"It's with great regret and heart-wrenching sadness for us and million of fans around the world, to announce that our client DAVE PROWSE M.B.E. has passed away at the age of 85," Bowington Management said on Twitter Sunday.
"May the force be with him, always!" his former agent, Thomas Bowington, said in a statement to the BBC.
"Though famous for playing many monsters -- for myself, and all who knew Dave and worked with him, he was a hero in our lives."
Prowse wore the black suit and helmet to play Darth Vader, but it was the actor James Earl Jones who provided the character's voice. Prowse's West Country English accent was thought to be unsuitable for the part.
But it was his role as the "Green Cross Code Man" from a British road safety campaign that Prowse said he was most proud of. He was awarded an MBE -- a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire -- in 2000 for that role.
Video: David Prowse, the original Darth Vader, passes away (CNN)
American actor Mark Hamill -- who played Darth Vader's son, Luke Skywalker, alongside Prowse -- sent his condolences in a tweet on Sunday.
"So sad to hear David Prowse has passed. He was a kind man & much more than Darth Vader," he wrote.
"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"
Prowse was born into a working class family and grew up in a council estate in Southmead, in southwestern England. He gained a scholarship to attend Bristol Grammar School.
He had a passion for bodybuilding and was crowned British Weightlifting Champion several times in the 1960s. He became lifelong friends with actors Arnold Schwarzenegger in his weightlifting years, according to website IMDb.
His broad physique and towering figure helped land him roles as monsters and villains in TV shows and films. He played the monster in "The Horror of Frankenstein" in 1970 and a bearded torturer in "Carry on Henry" in 1971. That same year he made an appearance as a bodyguard in Stanley Kubrick's dystopian film "A Clockwork Orange" in 1971.
He went on to play Darth Vader in all three of the original "Star Wars" films, in 1977, 1980 and 1983.
Health and fitness remained an interest for Prowse, who also worked as a personal trainer for actors playing the role of Superman, including Christopher Reeve, and wrote a book called "Fitness is Fun."
He published an autobiography, "Straight from the Force's Mouth," in 2011.
"It's with great regret and heart-wrenching sadness for us and million of fans around the world, to announce that our client DAVE PROWSE M.B.E. has passed away at the age of 85," Bowington Management said on Twitter Sunday.
"May the force be with him, always!" his former agent, Thomas Bowington, said in a statement to the BBC.
"Though famous for playing many monsters -- for myself, and all who knew Dave and worked with him, he was a hero in our lives."
Prowse wore the black suit and helmet to play Darth Vader, but it was the actor James Earl Jones who provided the character's voice. Prowse's West Country English accent was thought to be unsuitable for the part.
But it was his role as the "Green Cross Code Man" from a British road safety campaign that Prowse said he was most proud of. He was awarded an MBE -- a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire -- in 2000 for that role.
Video: David Prowse, the original Darth Vader, passes away (CNN)
American actor Mark Hamill -- who played Darth Vader's son, Luke Skywalker, alongside Prowse -- sent his condolences in a tweet on Sunday.
"So sad to hear David Prowse has passed. He was a kind man & much more than Darth Vader," he wrote.
"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"
Prowse was born into a working class family and grew up in a council estate in Southmead, in southwestern England. He gained a scholarship to attend Bristol Grammar School.
He had a passion for bodybuilding and was crowned British Weightlifting Champion several times in the 1960s. He became lifelong friends with actors Arnold Schwarzenegger in his weightlifting years, according to website IMDb.
His broad physique and towering figure helped land him roles as monsters and villains in TV shows and films. He played the monster in "The Horror of Frankenstein" in 1970 and a bearded torturer in "Carry on Henry" in 1971. That same year he made an appearance as a bodyguard in Stanley Kubrick's dystopian film "A Clockwork Orange" in 1971.
He went on to play Darth Vader in all three of the original "Star Wars" films, in 1977, 1980 and 1983.
Health and fitness remained an interest for Prowse, who also worked as a personal trainer for actors playing the role of Superman, including Christopher Reeve, and wrote a book called "Fitness is Fun."
He published an autobiography, "Straight from the Force's Mouth," in 2011.
© Lucasfilm David Prowse playing Darth Vader in the original "Star Wars" trilogy.
© PA Images/PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images Dave Prowse in his role as the Green Cross Code Man, with students from Lambeth Johanna Primary School in London.
Mark Hamill leads tributes to Darth Vader actor Dave Prowse following death
The former bodybuilder earned an MBE for also playing the Green Cross Code Man.
The former bodybuilder earned an MBE for also playing the Green Cross Code Man.
Dave Prowse has died aged 85 (PA)
By PA Reporter
November 29 2020
Mark Hamill has hailed his Star Wars co-star Dave Prowse as “a kind man” who was “much more than Darth Vader” following his death aged 85.
Prowse, the Bristol weightlifter-turned-actor who played the villainous Sith lord in the original Star Wars trilogy, died after a short illness, his agent confirmed.
The towering 6ft 6in performer also earned an MBE for playing the Green Cross Code Man to promote road safety.
Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker opposite Prowse, 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.”
Daniel Logan, who played the young Boba Fett in Attack Of The Clones, recalled meeting Prowse across the years at various Star Wars conventions.
He said on Twitter: “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!”
The Twitter account of the Peter Mayhew Foundation, set up in memory of the actor who played Chewbacca, shared a picture of Prowse with Mayhew and their co-star Kenny Baker.
“RIP Dave Prowse. I hope you’re up there sharing a pint and a story with the boys. #DarthVader #DaveProwse #RIPDaveProwse #StarWars.”
Mayhew died in 2019 and Baker, who played R2-D2, died in 2016.
Agent Thomas Bowington confirmed Prowse’s death in a statement, saying: “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.
“A constant source of inspiration, encouragement and kindness. A truly and deeply heart wrenching loss for us and millions of fans all over the world!
“But the great power of Prowse in our lives will always stay with us! A loving husband, father and grandfather.”
Prowse won the role playing Vader due to his impressive physique, but with his West Country accent deemed not quite suitable, the part was instead voiced by James Earl Jones.
He represented England in weightlifting at the Commonwealth Games in the early 1960s before embarking on an acting career.
Prowse was reportedly spotted by Star Wars director George Lucas when playing a bodyguard in the 1971 film A Clockwork Orange, and invited to audition for the roles of Darth Vader and Chewbacca.
He once told the BBC he chose Vader over his hairy co-star because “you always remember the bad guys”.
Elsewhere, his career included collaborations with comedy staples such as The Two Ronnies, Kenneth Williams, Morecambe and Wise and Benny Hill. He also appeared in Carry On Henry and Monty Python’s Jabberwocky.
In 1972 he appeared as the Minotaur in the Doctor Who episode The Time Monster, opposite Jon Pertwee as the eponymous Time Lord.
By PA Reporter
November 29 2020
Mark Hamill has hailed his Star Wars co-star Dave Prowse as “a kind man” who was “much more than Darth Vader” following his death aged 85.
Prowse, the Bristol weightlifter-turned-actor who played the villainous Sith lord in the original Star Wars trilogy, died after a short illness, his agent confirmed.
The towering 6ft 6in performer also earned an MBE for playing the Green Cross Code Man to promote road safety.
Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker opposite Prowse, 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.”
Daniel Logan, who played the young Boba Fett in Attack Of The Clones, recalled meeting Prowse across the years at various Star Wars conventions.
He said on Twitter: “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!”
The Twitter account of the Peter Mayhew Foundation, set up in memory of the actor who played Chewbacca, shared a picture of Prowse with Mayhew and their co-star Kenny Baker.
“RIP Dave Prowse. I hope you’re up there sharing a pint and a story with the boys. #DarthVader #DaveProwse #RIPDaveProwse #StarWars.”
Mayhew died in 2019 and Baker, who played R2-D2, died in 2016.
Agent Thomas Bowington confirmed Prowse’s death in a statement, saying: “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.
“A constant source of inspiration, encouragement and kindness. A truly and deeply heart wrenching loss for us and millions of fans all over the world!
“But the great power of Prowse in our lives will always stay with us! A loving husband, father and grandfather.”
Prowse won the role playing Vader due to his impressive physique, but with his West Country accent deemed not quite suitable, the part was instead voiced by James Earl Jones.
He represented England in weightlifting at the Commonwealth Games in the early 1960s before embarking on an acting career.
Prowse was reportedly spotted by Star Wars director George Lucas when playing a bodyguard in the 1971 film A Clockwork Orange, and invited to audition for the roles of Darth Vader and Chewbacca.
He once told the BBC he chose Vader over his hairy co-star because “you always remember the bad guys”.
Elsewhere, his career included collaborations with comedy staples such as The Two Ronnies, Kenneth Williams, Morecambe and Wise and Benny Hill. He also appeared in Carry On Henry and Monty Python’s Jabberwocky.
In 1972 he appeared as the Minotaur in the Doctor Who episode The Time Monster, opposite Jon Pertwee as the eponymous Time Lord.
No comments:
Post a Comment