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L’agent de Dave, Thomas Bowingtonsaid… “It is with great regret and heartbreaking sadness to us and millions of fans around the world to announce that our client Dave Prowse MBE has passed away at the age of 85. “
Dave played the iconic villain in the original “Star Wars” trilogy.
Prowse was born in 1935 in Bristol, England. Before acting, he was immersed in the world of bodybuilding, even participating in Mr. Universe competitions. He was so strong that Jack the Ripper – that was Dave’s stage name – would shred the phone books as a test of strength.
Even in the days of bodybuilding, he hung out with famous people including Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno. He also formed Christopher Reeve for “Superman”.
Dave’s shining moment was shrouded in costume… playing Darth Vader in the “Star Wars” franchise. He was recruited by George Lucas, because he was a well known bodybuilder and he had seen it in ‘Clockwork Orange’ and it seemed to match the mood. Dave auditioned for the roles of Darth Vader and Chewbacca. Lucas offered him one or the other role.
When asked why Dave chose the role of DV, Dave replied, “Everyone remembers the villain. ” True that.
There was one problem, however – Dave’s British accent. His voice was dubbed by James Earl Jones en post-production.
He almost instantly became an iconic figure when the first “Star Wars” struck in 1977.
In addition to “Star Wars”, Dave has appeared in “The Saint”, “Doctor Who”, “The Beverly Hillbillies”, “A Clockwork Orange” and many horror films.
Dave said in 2014, “A lot of people will know me to be the ultimate screen villain, Darth Vader from Star Wars. But being a “goodie goodie” and leading the Green Cross Code campaign, helping to save thousands of lives has always been the ultimate honor. “
Dave had been married for 57 years to Norma Scammell and had 3 children. He was 85 years old.
TEAR
