Four years ago the galaxy lost Dave Prowse MBE, the man behind the mask of Darth Vader. A towering force on screen and out in the world of Star Wars, Dave was one of the first actors to hit the convention circuit and his presence has been missed ever since, so today we remember a performer who chilled the bones as the Dark Lord of the Sith and warmed the heart as the Green-Cross Code Man.
This was how the BBC announced the news back in 2020.
Dave Prowse, the Bristolian former bodybuilder best known for playing Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy, has died aged 85.
Prowse was cast as Vader for his imposing physique, even though the role was voiced by James Earl Jones.
But the weightlifter-turned-actor was most proud of playing the Green Cross Code Man. The role, promoting road safety in the UK, earned him an MBE.
“May the force be with him, always!” said his agent Thomas Bowington.
“Though famous for playing many monsters – for myself, and all who knew Dave and worked with him, he was a hero in our lives.”
Mr Bowington called the actor’s death, after a short illness, “a truly and deeply heart-wrenching loss for us and millions of fans all over the world”.
Take a moment to read our interview with Dave from way back in July 2000.
