David Charles Prowse MBE (1 July 1935 – 28 November 2020)
The Actor who brought one of the greatest Villains to Life!
From the moment Darth Vader silently walked on screen in 1977’s Star Wars: A New Hope — a towering figure clad in black, stalking slowly but with menacing purpose — it was clear that the world had a new icon of villainy. That was the power of David Prowse.
David Prowse’s Vader was an intimidating presence who, with simple gestures, could convey anger, sadness, and lost hope.
David Prowse began bodybuilding at a young age, and went on to win the British heavyweight weightlifting championship for three straight years from 1962-64.
He would eventually transition into a career in film and TV, including roles in A Clockwork Orange (1971), The Tomorrow People (1973), and played Frankentstein’s monster in three Hammer horror films.
He was particularly well known to UK audiences thanks to his portrayal of the Green Cross Code Man, a superhero who promoted road safety in a campaign that ran from 1971-1990 — a part that would see him awarded an MBE in 2000.
In addition, Prowse also worked behind the scenes, training Christopher Reeve for the title role in Superman (1978).
"May The Force Be With You, Always !"
