David Prowse

For other uses, see David.
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David Prowse (July 1, 1935 - November 28, 2020) was a bodybuilder and weightlifter who became an actor. He played Darth Vader in the original trilogy.

Biography

David Prowse was selected to play Darth Vader in Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope due to his height and girth. He would speak the lines from within the suit during filming in his Bristol accent. However, as this ultimately clashed with George Lucas's idea about Vader, James Earl Jones was dubbed over as Vader's voice — a fact unknown to Prowse at the time of filming.[3][4]

Prowse complains that he never got any publicity as Darth Vader. He had chosen to play Vader because he felt the villain was usually the most memorable.[4] Prowse used to attend fan conventions and sign his autographs "David Prowse IS Darth Vader." However, Prowse was banned from official Star Wars conventions, such as Star Wars Weekends in Orlando, by George Lucas, supposedly because of Prowse "annoying" him.[5][3]

Prowse died of COVID-19[6] on November 28, 2020, at 85 years of age.[2][3] Several celebrities including Lucas, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, William Shatner, Rosario Dawson, and Elijah Wood paid tribute to Prowse.[4][7][8]

Sources

Notes and references

  1. ↑ This Week in Star Wars logo This Week! in Star Wars San Diego Comic-Con Exclusives, Brand New LEGO Art, and More! on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Premium-Era-real David Prowse, Man Behind the Darth Vader Mask, Dies at 85 by Mike Barnes on The Hollywood Reporter (November 28, 2020) (backup link archived on November 29, 2020)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Premium-Era-real David Prowse obituary by Gilbey Ryan on The Guardian (November 29, 2010) (backup link archived on November 29, 2020)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Premium-Era-real Dave Prowse: Darth Vader actor dies aged 85 on the BBC (November 29, 2010) (backup link archived on November 30, 2020)
  5. ↑ Premium-Era-real David Prowse banned from all Lucasfilm-related Star Wars events by Michelle Welch on The A.V. Club (July 19, 2010) (backup link archived on May 28, 2019)
  6. ↑ Premium-Era-real 'Star Wars' Actor David Prowse Died From Covid-19, Daughter Says – Report by Greg Evans on Deadline (November 30, 2020) (backup link archived on November 30, 2020)
  7. ↑ Premium-Era-real George Lucas, Mark Hamill and More Pay Tribute to David Prowse: 'He Made Vader Leap Off the Page' by Ellise Shafer on Variety (November 29, 2020) (backup link archived on November 30, 2020)
  8. ↑ Premium-Era-real David Prowse, the original Darth Vader, dies aged 85 by Angela Dewan & Samantha Beech on CNN (November 29, 2010) (backup link archived on November 29, 2020)

External links