Sad news for Star Wars fans... David Prowse, the man who physically portrayed the iconic villain of cinema history, Dark Vador, in episodes IV through VI of the space saga, has passed away following a brief illness at the age of 85. His agent, Thomaw Bowington, announced the news on social media: "He was a true hero in our lives, and his death is an heartbreaking loss that breaks our hearts, as well as millions of fans around the world," he also told the BBC. He concluded: "May the Force be with him, always."
A British actor who originally pursued a career in sports before stepping into the world of George Lucas's saga. David Prowse began as a bodybuilder, eventually becoming a heavyweight weightlifting world champion between 1962 and 1964. His athletic background opened the doors to the entertainment industry: he appeared in several television productions from 1967 to 1977, including the superhero Green Cross Code Man, aimed at teaching children road safety, as well as notable roles in cinema such as A Clockwork Orange by Stanley Kubrick in 1971, and multiple films by Hammer Films, notably portraying the monster in Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (1974). He also served as a physical trainer for Christopher Reeve during his portrayal of Superman, as well as for Cary Elwes in The Princess Bride.
Yet, his most iconic role undoubtedly remains that of Dark Vador in the Star Wars saga... It was George Lucas himself who asked him to join the space adventure, noticing his impressive height (1.98 meters), to portray either the Wookiee Chewbacca or the Sith Lord. He ultimately chose the villain role, explaining that "everyone remembers the bad guy." That statement has never been more true.
He will share this role with two other actors: James Earl Jones, who will lend his voice to the character (since Prowse’s Bristol accent didn't quite fit George Lucas), and Sebastian Shaw, appearing without a mask. These voice and face replacements didn't sit well with the actor, who eventually found himself at odds with Lucasfilm. The fallout was such that he was even banned from conventions in 2010. A man of cinema who moves on, but whose legacy will remain etched in the memories of countless fans.
