It will be a day long remembered. The actor who played Darth Vader in the original films, David Prowse, has just passed away at age 85.
Many people recognized that the voice for Darth Vader was James Earl Jones, David Prowse was the actor in the costume. Mr. Prowse was a very tall British body builder, which made him perfect for the iconic villain. However they didn’t feel his voice was powerful enough for Vader, so they hired James Earl Jones to do the voice.
Mark Hamill and others are paying tribute to the 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 pic.twitter.com/VbDrGu6iBz
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) November 29, 2020
RIP David Prowse, the Bristolian bodybuilder beneath Darth Vader’s suit and by all accounts a thoroughly un-Sith-ian chap. Here’s rare footage of him saying Vader’s lines on set. pic.twitter.com/M4RHbn7nZT
— Nick de Semlyen (@NickdeSemlyen) November 29, 2020
It has been an absolute pleasure working with this wonderful man over the years. He truly was a gentle giant, and one of the kindest celebrities you could ever meet. 😢
Dave Prowse IS Darth Vader.#RIP#DavidProwse#DaveProwse #DarthVader pic.twitter.com/6qRfCX3LXv
— DARTH VADER (@isDARTHVADER) November 29, 2020
R.I.P. David Prowse (1935 — 2020), actor who played Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy. pic.twitter.com/msxA3U0qBh
— Lost In Film (@LostInFilm) November 29, 2020
Darth Vader was nobody without you, rest in peace David Prowse ❤️🙏 pic.twitter.com/uFaEO9D0MZ
— BossLogic (@Bosslogic) November 29, 2020
Saddened to wake up to the news that my Twitter friend David Prowse passed away. David, a literal giant among men, played many roles in his career. His most famous role was being the misunderstood father who tried to give the universe to his very disobedient twins. #DarthVader
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) November 29, 2020
Love David Prowse for belting out his lines to make it past the muffler of Vader’s mask and for the way he eventually learned the armor enough to give every turn, every gesture, every pause emotional weight.
Rest well. Thank you for everything. pic.twitter.com/SEHMowgfcr
— Jim does a Star War (@ObsKenobs) November 29, 2020
David Charlie Prowse (7/1/35-11/28/20)
Today We Mourn the Loss of a True Legend, Mr. David Prowse. This Amazing Actor Appeared in Over 25 Movies and TV Shows Between 1967 and 2017. #DavidProwse #StarWars #DarthVader #Movies #Movie #Film #TV #Legend #Icon pic.twitter.com/XkZcvVLVbN
— 80sThen80sNow (@80sThen80sNow) November 29, 2020
I grew up with the original ‘Star Wars.’ I was a huge fan and I even sold classic toys to help pay for college. The sad part about growing up is that as you get older you eventually lose people that you hold dear. Even ones you don’t even know, because they mattered so much to you.
Rest in Peace Mr. Prowse. Thank you.
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Sources: Twitter, all tweets belong to the accounts that tweeted them.
Photo Credit: Thierry Zoccolan Getty Images
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