Darth Vader actor David Prowse was 85 years old.
One of the legends of the screen has passed away. David Prowse, best known for his physical portrayal as the iconic Darth Vader, has passed away at the age of 85.
Outside of acting, David Prowse was known for his achievements in bodybuilding and weightlifting. His hulking frame and staggering 6’7” height earned him the role of Darth Vader, one of the most important characters in cinema history.
News broke that the legend passed over the weekend. Star Wars co-star Mark Hamill paid tribute to David Prowse in a Instagram post.
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.
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The World’s Strongest Fan also paid tribute to Prowse in a posting on his social media.
R.I.P David Prowse MBE aka Darth Vader!
The man behind the mask who’s acting formed a big part of the character in Starwars, one of my favourite films.
At a towering 6ft 7” this giant man won the British Heavyweight Weightlifting Championships in 1962 and the following two years he represented England in the weightlifting event at the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Perth, Western Australia.
David also became fitness consultant to Harrods, ripped up phone books under the stage name ‘Jack the Ripper’, and opened a series of gyms, including The Dave Prowse Fitness Centre in Southwark. Whilst he was travelling Scotland doing feats of strength he even lifted the famous Dinnie Stones 6 times!
Also apart from being the Green Cross Code Man David helped to train many actors for movie roles including Christopher Reeve for the lead role in Superman and Cary Elwes in The Princess Bride.
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There’s no doubt that David Prowse was a legend and will be celebrated for years to come. He was apart of something unique and iconic in Star Wars, yet his influence reached far beyond the screen.
The Generation Iron team sends condolences to the family and friends of David Prowse.
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Managing Editor at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.
