Star Wars actor David Prowse dies aged 85

The British actor David Prowse, known for his iconic role as Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy, has died aged 85 according to his agent Thomas Bowington.

“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 tweeted.

According to this agent Thomas Bowington, the actor passed away after a short illness. “May the force be with him, always!” his former agent said. “Though famous for playing many monsters — for myself, and all who knew Dave Prowse and worked with him, he was a hero in our lives.”

David Prowse, who was known for his role as the villain in the iconic Star Wars original trilogy, was also a weightlifter and bodybuilder who represented England at the Commonwealth Games during the early 1960s before he embarked on his acting career.

He made his film debut with the 1967 James Bond spoof Casino Royale and even though it was a minor part, it allowed him to land several other roles, including in Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange.

David Prowse also played the Frankenstein monster in three films due to his tall height and bodybuilding physique before he donned the the iconic Darth Vader suit in 1977.

The British actor was also famous as the Green Cross Code Man, a character used in road safety advertisements aimed at children in the UK.

Many of his fellow Star Wars co-stars took to social media to pay tribute after hearing the news.

“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.” tweeted Mark Hamill.

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