‘Star Wars’ villain ‘Darth Vader’ Dave Prowse dies at 85

Dave Prowse, the British actor who played the black mask of ‘Star Wars’ villain Darth Vader, has passed away, confirmed his agent Thomas Bowington on Sunday.  

“It’s with great sadness that we have to announce that our client Dave Prowse... passed away yesterday morning at the age of 85,” Bowington wrote on Facebook.

“May the force be with him, always!” said Thomas Bowington.

Dave Prowse died after a short illness, Bowington said, adding that Prowse’s death “a truly and deeply heart-wrenching loss for us and millions of fans all over the world”.

A former body-builder turned actor, Prowse’s towering stature at almost two meters (6.5 feet) clinched him the role of the instantly-recognizable antagonist in the original ‘Star Wars’ trilogy.

But while he wore the glossy black armor and cape, the Bristol native’s strong western English accent meant the filmmakers turned to James Earl Jones for the chilling voice that would emerge from behind the mask.

Dave Prowse made his film debut in 1967 through the ‘James Bond’ franchise film ‘Casino Royale’ where he played the role of Frankenstein’s Creature. 

Before debuting in Hollywood, “the greatest big-screen villain of all time” trained the late Christopher Reeve for his role as Superman for ‘Superman’ franchise films. 

Since the original Star Wars trilogy was released in the late 1970s and early 80s, Prowse had traveled the world meeting hardcore fans.