Dave Prowse, who played Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy, has died at age 85.
His agent Thomas Bowington confirmed the star had passed away following a short illness, writing in a Facebook post: "May the force be with him, always! Though famous for playing many monsters - for myself, and all who knew Dave and worked with him, he was a hero in our lives."
Bowington added that Prowse's death was a "truly and deeply heart-wrenching loss for us and millions of fans all over the world".
The former bodybuilder debuted in the iconic role, which was voiced by American actor James Earl Jones, in 1977's Star Wars. He went on to appear in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.
His acting career spanned more than 50 years, with the star landing roles in A Clockwork Orange and Doctor Who, among others. He also enjoyed significant success as an athlete and represented England as a weightlifter at the Commonwealth Games in the early 1960s.
During that time, he reportedly became close friends with rival bodybuilding competitors Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno and he later served as the physical trainer for Christopher Reeve as he prepared to take on the role of Superman.
Prowse was a familiar face on U.K. TV as the first Green Cross Code Man, a character used in road safety advertising aimed at children. The superhero-like character appeared in campaigns for over two decades and secured Prowse an MBE in 2000.
- Hilton teams up with Sia Entertainment 6:29am - 2,630 views
- Swift still 'can't forgive' Kim Entertainment 6:23am - 3,031 views
- Grimes to ‘cap the disarray’ Entertainment 6:23am - 1,277 views
- Rihanna's parenting ‘hack’ Entertainment Apr 18 - 2,311 views
- Tarantino scraps film Entertainment Apr 18 - 2,055 views
- Munn talks cancer battle Entertainment Apr 18 - 1,766 views
- Kelce 'has zero concern' Entertainment Apr 18 - 2,227 views
- Shania huge Swift fan Entertainment Apr 18 - 3,828 views
Entertainment
Darth Vader actor dies at 85
Photo: WENN
Dave Prowse at the 2006 Comic-Con comic book convention at the San Diego Convention Centre.
More Entertainment News
Featured Flyer
Movie Listings
RECENT STORIES
- 'Smart' lawyer suspendedBC - 3:57 pm
- Harvey traffic disruptionsKelowna - 3:56 pm
- Earth Day cleanup for allPenticton - 3:53 pm
- First Nation solar farm plansAnahim Lake - 3:34 pm
- Suit claims prison assaultsBC - 3:33 pm
Local Entertainment Links
KELOWNA MOVIES
WEST KELOWNA MOVIES
VERNON MOVIES
PENTICTON MOVIES
THEATRE
MUSIC
GALLERY [+]
FILM / RADIO [+]
TICKETS [+]
LOTTO [+]
GENERAL [+]
KELOWNA MOVIES
WEST KELOWNA MOVIES
VERNON MOVIES
PENTICTON MOVIES
THEATRE
- Kelowna Rotary Centre For The Arts
- Kelowna Community Theatre
- Kelowna Actor's Studio
- New Vintage Theatre
- Theatre Kelowna Society
- Shakespeare Kelowna Theatre
- Creekside Theatre
- Vernon Powerhouse Theatre
- Penticton Many Hats Theatre Company
- Tempest Theatre & Film Society
- Armstrong Asparagus Community Theatre
- Armstrong Caravan Farm Theatre
- South Okanagan Players
MUSIC
- Kelowna Rotary Centre For The Arts
- Chamber Music Kelowna
- Okanagan Festival Singers
- Okanagan Symphony
- Okanagan Jazz & Blues Society
- Ballet Kelowna
- Vernon Jazz Society
- Summerland Singers and Players
- OkanaganConcerts.com
- Festivals Kelowna
- Parks Alive!
- Live! in Lake Country
GALLERY [+]
FILM / RADIO [+]
TICKETS [+]
LOTTO [+]
GENERAL [+]
Featured Events
Byron Bertram at Lake Country Brewing
Lake Country Brewing, Lake Country
Apr 19 7:30 pm
Bands BBQ Beers and Balding
BCVQA Wine Shop - Laurel Packinghouse, Kelowna
Apr 20 6:00 pm
Fundraiser – 2016 Kelowna Heat Hockey Team
Freddy's Brewpub, Kelowna
Apr 20 8:30 pm
© 2024 Castanet.net