Star Wars Darth Vader: David Prowse dies aged 85

David Prowse, the man behind the mask of Darth Vader in Star Wars, breathed his last on Saturday (November 28) morning. He was 85 years old.

Prowse’s death was confirmed by his agent Thomas Bowington on Saturday night. This management company shared a tweet on the actor’s death. The tweet read as, “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.

The English weightlifter became famous for his physical portrayal of Darth Vader in the sci-fi franchise. Though the 6.5 foot David was well-suited to play Darth Vader on screen, the character’s heavy voice was lended by American actor James Earl Jones.

Prowse also represented England in weightlifting at the Commonwealth Games in the early 1960s. After which, he devoted himself to an acting career.

Taking to Facebook, Jason Joiner, an events producer who worked with Prowse, expressed his grief and remembered Prowse as a dedicated actor. “Dave was dedicated to meeting the fans for decades and lots of fans’ first ever guest they met was Dave in the early days of Comic Cons and collators’ events. Dave was larger than life and he will be so very much missed. Our love and thoughts go out to his family,” Joiner said.

Mark Hamill, who played Prowse’s on-screen son Luke Skywalker in the “Star Wars” films, paid rich tributes to the late actor on Twitter. “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. #RIP (sic),” Hamill tweeted.